Ed. - Bumped from the Fanposts. I figured we needed a break from all the Phil Taylor/Chris Baker talk. Thanks, Kunk.

Who'll replace Joe Paterno at Penn State (next season)?

More speculation and recruiting nonsense from the Sporting News' Matt Hayes.  What I want to know is where does he get his list of prospective successors?

A few weeks ago, a couple of high school recruits revealed that Paterno was telling them that when he retired, he would be replaced by someone currently on staff.

Okay, so then you'd expect a list of mostly insiders, but maybe a few outsiders sprinkled in.

1. Greg Schiano, Rutgers: Could have had the Miami job two years ago and turned it down to reap the rewards of what he has built at Rutgers. A former Penn State assistant, his charismatic personality will pay off on the recruiting trail -- where the Lions have struggled against Pitt, West Virginia, Maryland and yes, Rutgers. Want to know why Penn State is behind Ohio State, Michigan and Wisconsin in the Big Ten? Players.

2. Jim Grobe, Wake Forest: With each season that passes, it gets harder and harder to pull Grobe from Wake. Nebraska and Arkansas both tried last December, and neither could make it happen. Imagine what he could do with the facilities/support/recruiting pull of Penn State. It's scary.

3. Bret Bielema, Wisconsin: One of the most overlooked coaching jobs the last two seasons. Bielema replaced a guy who could run for governor in Wisconsin and get 60 percent of the vote, and he has won 21 games in two seasons. Recruits and fans eat up his home-spun personality, and he obviously knows how to follow a legend.

4. Tim Murphy, Harvard: Highly respected in the coaching community, he was Notre Dame's fallback candidate in 2002 if the Irish didn't land Ty Willingham. A terrific offensive mind, and more than anything, a charismatic coach who commands fear and respect from players. You want coaching chops? In 14 seasons, he has 88 wins and is 9-5 against bitter rival Yale.

5. Tom Coughlin, New York Giants: Don't rule it out, people. Coughlin loves the college game and thrives on the emotional high of teaching and watching players develop into grown men on and off the field. Besides, what else is left in the NFL?

Whaaaa?  Bielema?  Coughlin?  Penn State losing recruits to Pitt and Rutgers?  This is the most absurd list of candidates I've ever seen.  I've never read anything else from Matt Hayes, but, hey, way to do some research, buddy.