Names are being thrown around left and right for potential coaching candidates and when we heard Nevada’s Mark Fox mentioned, we went to our friends in Reno for the scoop. Sure enough, they led off Saturday’s sports section with a coaching list outside of the Big Red Reality Distortion Field.

1. Jim Christian - Kent State
2. Mark Fox - Nevada
3. Scott Spinelli - Assistant at Wichita State
4. Randy Ayers - former coach Philadelphia 76ers & Ohio State
5. Rick Majerus - former coach Utah
6. Steve McClain - Wyoming

And as the couple of email’s we’ve received since Friday afternoon have mentioned, add a seventh to the list with Creighton assistant and former UNO head coach:

7. Kevin Mckenna.

Common sense debunking of the list, Mark Fox just received a contract extension and he walks on water in Northern Nevada, so we’d be surprised to see him jump into the frying pan. Scott Spinelli was on Collier’s staff and we think Steve Pederson past actions indicate he’d rather sever ties to previous coaching staffs with new hires.

Majerus is comfy in his ESPN gig and while he may have a friendship with Pederson, we doubt he’s ready to jump back into coaching.

Why do Wyoming coaches always get mentioned with Husker coaching vacancies?

Thus, our short list would be:
1. Jim Christian - consensus leader by the “The Media.”
2. Randy Ayers - Pro experience which Pederson equates to the golden ring.
3. Kevin McKenna - Strong Booster connections and a great recruiter.