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Travis Haney, ESPN Staff Writer 10y

Top candidates to replace Charlie Weis

Kansas is the first Power 5 head coaching job to open up in 2014, but a school in the American Athletic Conference might prove to be more appealing to those on the rise.

So what does that say about KU?

It’s not flattering, clearly, but it’s still a head coaching job in the Big 12, and that means it’ll still be highly sought.

The primary issues: Resources are so-so, the recruiting pool is even worse, and SMU -- the AAC job I was referencing -- can probably pay as much, if not more. Oh, and you’re a distant No. 10 (out of 10) in perhaps the country’s most balanced conference.

No way around it: The new coach will be starting from zero. It was a tough league to win for a long time because of Oklahoma's and Texas’ dominance, but in some ways it’s tougher now because any one of a half-dozen schools could win it every year.

Those close to the program say it’s time for KU to go after the long-term fix, rather than some “name” retread in the vein of the Charlie Weis hire. And it would be beneficial to get a PR bump with the certain trendy sex appeal of an offensive-minded coach. That could help stem the transitional growing pains.

Whomever Kansas hires can’t be worse than Weis, who was 6-22 -- and had just one victory against a Power 5 school.

Really, the first order of business should be ensuring that the Jayhawks never again wear Saturday’s uniform combo -- red jerseys and red pants, with blue shirts underneath. Those should be burned, unless Spider-Man is the new hire.

Peter Parker isn’t going to Lawrence, so here are six realistic options, according to those familiar with the program and league.

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