I can't believe there are those here wanting Bobby Petrino or Briles (even in retrospect). I, for one, would prefer having a coach with strong character who never has a winning record, over a coach who regularly wins 10+ games and proves to be a scum bag.
What about Chris Petersen? As we found out when we brought Harsin in, Chris Petersen was the real magic behind Boise State's success. Now in his third year at Washington, he's done a good job of turning them around. Not sure if he would want to leave, but is only getting paid $3.2/yr. Not sure Washington could match us in a bidding war.
Petersen was the "coach in waiting" at one time. When Brown cut Harsin off at the knees, Petersen washed his hands of anything in Texas, but particularly The University of Texas. Not sure he would take a phone call if there was a $10 million check attached. So Mack Brown killed two birds with one stone assuring that neither Petersen nor Harsin would be coming to Austin.