The search to replace Billy Taylor at Ball State is under way. Here are some of the names that have popped up…

• Linc Darner – Head coach Florida Southern. Darner currently has his squad in the NCAA DII Elite Eight. He is an Indiana guy – he played for Gene Keady at Purdue, and had a lot of success as the head coach at St. Joseph’s (IN).

• Rodney Watson – Head coach Southern Indiana. Has compiled a 95-24 record in four seasons at USI. He spent 21 seasons as an assistant at Southern Illinois under head coaches Rich Herrin, Bruce Weber, Matt Painter, and Chris Lowery

• Chris Holtmann – Head coach Gardner-Webb. Led GWU to a 21-win season in his 3rd season at the helm. Is a Taylor (IN) alum (about 30 minutes from Ball State). Has also been an assistant at Ohio University and Taylor.

• Stan Gouard – Head coach Indianapolis. A southern Indiana grad (played for Bruce Pearl) who is 80-62 in four seasons at Indianapolis. His team has qualified for back-to-back NCAA DII Tournaments. Was also an assistant at Indiana State.

• Brad Brownell – Head coach Clemson. An Evansville, IN native. There is some speculation that he may look to make a move even though he has multiple years left on his contract. Had tremendous success as the head coach at Wright State and UNC-Wilmington.

• Jeff Rekeweg – Head coach Northwood (MI). He is a former player at Nebraska who has also been the head coach at Saint Francis (Fort Wayne) where he was the 2010 NAIA National Coach of the Year. He holds every coaching record at St. Francis, including career victories (265) and wins in a season (31). During his time at USF, the team posted seven 20-win seasons.

• Jeff Neubauer – Head coach Eastern Kentucky. His team is 25-9 this year and has advanced to the second round of the CIT. Has a 143-111 record in eight seasons at EKU. Has also been an assistant at West Virginia and Richmond.