It was not long ago that the Miami University football team was suiting up to play in the 2007 MAC Championship against Central Michigan University, with Shane Montgomery calling the shots.

After losing that game 35-10, the 'Hawks moved on to a 2008 season with 2-10 overall record and last in the MAC East division.

Shortly after the final game of that campaign, Montgomery announced his resignation and the search for the new head coach officially began.

Miami University is one of four schools in the Mid-American Conference looking for new leadership. Coming off of the worst three-year period in Miami football since the Tim Rose era of the late '80s, Miami is searching for someone outside the program to bring a new approach and to re-invigorate the team and its fan base.

According to Miami Athletic Director Brad Bates, there is an "amazing interest" in the position, ranging from coordinators at the BCS conferences, current BCS head coaches as well as recent BCS head coaches. Bates said there is interest from the NFL as well.

"I'm cautiously optimistic that we may have someone in place no later than Christmas," Bates said. "Deliberately but precise is definitely the way we want to go."

Although Shane Montgomery was the lowest paid head coach in Division I in 2008, Bates indicated he expects to increase the compensation for the coach and his assistants.

"I've been really pleased with the financial commitments we've had from several of our donors," Bates said. "We are putting together a package I think that will be very attractive to the candidates who are expressing interest, not only for the head coach, but a key part of this is putting together a compensation package so that they can go out and hire the absolute best (assistant) coaches for Miami University."

RedHawk fans and alumni eagerly anticipate the hire. On www.miamihawktalk.com, a fan-operated Web site dedicated to Miami athletics, the "official coaching prospects thread" has 404 posts, the most of any recent discussion on the site. Even current university professors look forward to the outcome of the search.

"I'd like to see the new head coach continue the emphasis on academics and also be someone who can market the program and help to rebuild the fan base," Miami professor Rocco Manzo said. "In addition to being a strong recruiter, I hope the coach will be visible both on campus and in the community and will be someone who can help make Miami football a must-see event."

With the hiring of the next Miami head football coach just around the corner, here is a look at possible* candidates for the position, listed by name and current position.

*These names are not official. No one in the Miami Athletic Department has referenced anyone specific in the coaching search.

Kevin Wilson-University of Oklahoma, offensive coordinator

Wilson won the Broyles Award this year, which is given to the top assistant coach in college football. He began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at his alma mater North Carolina in 1984. In 1990, he was hired as the offensive line coach at Miami under the late Randy Walker. In addition, he also held the positions of offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach until leaving to follow Walker to Northwestern University in 1999. He has recently been said to have expressed interest in the job.

Don Treadwell-Michigan State University, offensive coordinator

Treadwell is a 24-year coaching veteran who was a four-year starter at wide receiver for Miami from 1978-81 and was named captain of the team his senior year. His coaching experience includes a two year stint from 1992-93 as the Miami running backs and wide receivers coach under Walker. He has also coached at Youngstown State

University, the University of Cincinnati, Stanford University, Boston College and Ball State University. In his two years guiding the Spartan offense, Treadwell has led a balanced approach that has resulted in Michigan State being among the Big Ten Conference leaders in both rushing and passing offense. The team finished the 2008 regular season with a 9-3 record. Treadwell has been rumored to be interested in several of the openings in the MAC this year. Other coaches at Michigan State with ties to Miami include Pat Narduzzi and Mark Staten.

Dan Dalrymple-New Orleans Saints, strength and conditioning coach

Dalrymple may not have play-calling experience, but he certainly knows the Miami football program. As the strength and conditioning coach with Miami football from 1990-2005, he was involved with one of the most successful eras the program has seen and was instrumental in the physical development of several current and former NFL players, including quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and all-time NCAA career rushing touchdown leader Travis Prentice. Dalrymple was inducted into the Miami Hall of Fame in 2001.

Randy Fichtner-Pittsburgh Steelers, wide receivers coach

Fichtner installed the spread offense at the University of Memphis, where he coached for six years. Hired as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach in 2001, he helped guide the Tigers to three consecutive bowl games. During his tenure, Memphis set a school record for offensive production in 2002, then broke that mark in each of the next two seasons. Former Miami quarterback Ben Roethlisberger, whose name and number hang retired at Yager Stadium, is the starting signal caller for the Steelers. Former Miami wide out Martin Nance is currently on the team's practice squad working directly with Fichtner. Miami is rumored to be interested in Fichtner as its next coach.

Luke Fickell-Ohio State University, linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator

This seven-year coaching veteran is actively engaged in game planning and strategy and is a rising star among Big Ten assistants. After playing for Ohio State from 1992-96, he began his career as a graduate assistant there in 1999, and then accepted the defensive line coaching position at the University of Akron in 2000. He returned to his alma mater in 2002 and since then has special-teams coordinator and linebackers coach before moving to his current position. Several of the other current coaches at OSU have Miami ties, including Taver Johnson and John Peterson as well as head coach Jim Tressel, who was the quarterbacks and receivers coach from 1979-80.