In no particular order.
Mario Cristobal.
Lane Kiffin.
Dave Aradna.
Mark Stoops.
Tom Herman.
Mike Leech.
Hugh Freeze.
I realize that both Aradna and Freeze have recently signed extensions but both would have been excellent candidates.
Assuming that we actually hire an AD in the next 3-4 days and it's either Jurich or Highsmith then it would also be safe to assume that Diaz is toast.
Now, assuming that either of the aforementioned gentlemen take the AD position and that they fire Diaz, we can also safely assume that the Mas brothers/Ruiz/Columbus Mafia will indeed be giving this program the cash infusion that it so desperately needs. This leads to the safe assumption that Cristobal will get the 1st call. We can also assume that since the Columbus Mafia is in the driver's seat with cash in hand that they will outline an incredibly appealing and convincing vision of the future of the program along with a sound business plan of how to get back to among the elite of college football. At this juncture, one would have to assume that Mario, after taking everything into careful consideration would come to the logical conclusion that this would be an opportunity that he couldn't possibly turn down. The chance to come back home and lead his alma mater back to glory would have seemed like a practical impossibility a few months ago. However now that Blake is gone and somehow a new faction with insane amounts of money wants to pour it into the University of Miami football program in order to get the program back into the elite of college football where it belongs. In addition to that there will be a complete rebuilding of the entire administration. Finally everyone at UM will be on the same page. The university will be completely behind the football program and support anything that must be done to ensure a winning culture. In this scenario it's safe to assume that Mario says yes.
Assuming Mario Cristobal does indeed become the next head football coach at the University of Miami, the most interesting question/s will be......
Who is Mario going to hire to be the OC?
Who is Mario going to hire to be the DC?
The money will be there so it's quite safe to assume that everyone on this board will be expecting both to be home run hires. As they should be.