Here is an early list of potential candidates rumored to replace Larry Eustachy at Southern Mississippi. I’ve had a lot of great sources contribute to this list – seems like a job that a lot of people are talking about.

• Bob Marlin – Head Coach Louisiana-Lafayette. He is a Mississippi native who graduated from Mississippi State. Has been at Louisiana-Lafayette for the past two seasons. Had huge success at Sam Houston State before that (255 wins in 12 seasons). Led Pensacola to the NJCAA National Championship in 1993.

• Steve Barnes – Associate Head Coach Southern Mississippi. Has spent the past 8 seasons as the associate head coach at Southern Miss. Has also worked with former head coach Larry Eustachy at Idaho, Utah State and Iowa State (and they were HS and college teammates). Will head to Colorado State if he doesn’t get the job.

• Kermit Davis – Head Coach Middle Tennessee State. Another Mississippi native and Mississippi State grad. His father, Kermit Davis, Sr., was the head coach at Mississippi State (1971-77). Has compiled a 180-133 record in 10 seasons at MTSU.

• Kenny Payne – Assistant Coach Kentucky. Is a native of Laurel, MS. Has been on John Calipari’s staff for the past two years. Before that, he spent six seasons at Oregon. Played collegiately at Louisville, and was the 19th pick in the 1989 NBA draft. Has been part of National Champions as a player (1986 Louisville) and a coach (2012 Kentucky).

• John Pelphrey – Assistant Coach Florida. Former head coach at Arkansas and South Alabama. Has a 149-126 record in nine seasons as a head coach. Former standout at Kentucky who is a member of the UK Hall of Fame.

• Sean Woods – Head Coach Mississippi Valley State. Has been a hot name this off-season. Rumored to be involved with 3-4 other jobs. MVSU has gotten better in each of Woods four seasons there. Won 21 games this past year and advanced to the NCAA Tournament. Was also the recipient of many post season awards this year including the SWAC COY and the Ben Jobe Award.