Two of three pundits have chosen Kansas and coach Turner Gill, pictured here coaching Buffalo, to take fourth in the north.

The wait is over and Kansas University can get on with building its football program.

Through a release on the school’s Web site Thursday night, KU athletic department officials announced that former KU head coach Mark Mangino had resigned his post.

Mangino, who spent eight years in charge of the KU program and was the consensus national coach of the year in 2007, came to KU as an up-and-coming assistant and left the program in better shape than he inherited it.

KU athletic director Lew Perkins declined to say how quickly he plans to name a successor.

“I know people will float a number of names out there,” Perkins said. “But I will not comment on any potential candidates. … I think this is a very attractive job and I wouldn’t be surprised, now that this is out, that all kinds of people will be interested in this job.”

Perkins announced Thursday that current KU assistant coaches David Beaty, Clint Bowen and Bill Miller will share interim head-coaching duties.

Let the name-floating begin:

THE FAVORITE

Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh, Stanford University head coach

Record at school: 17-19 in 3 seasons (46-25 career)

Current salary: Not available.

Why it makes sense: Stanford doesn’t pay as well as Perkins and because of academic restrictions at Stanford, Harbaugh would be able to recruit from a deeper pool of athletes at Kansas. Fit, handsome and a big name because of his days as an NFL quarterback and the coach who has a knack for beating USC, he’s exactly what Perkins desires. Harbaugh’s wife, the former Sarah Feverborn, is from Kansas City, Mo.

Why it might not happen: The Michigan job could come open as soon as 2011, but coaching at KU wouldn’t come with as much pressure as a future possible return to his alma mater, so that concern might be overblown.

STRONG CONTENDERS

Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin

Boise State head coach Chris Petersen

Southern Mississippi head coach Larry Fedora

Cincinnati head coach Brian Kelly

Connecticut head coach Randy Edsall

Northwestern head coach Pat Fitzgerald

East Carolina head coach Skip Holtz

Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong

Former Jayhawk Nolan Cromwell salutes the crowd after being inducted into the KU Ring of Honor.

Former Auburn head coach Tommy Tuberville.

Former Tennessee head coach Phillip Fulmer.

Former Baltimore Ravens coach Brian Billick.

Kevin Sumlin, University of Houston head coach

Record at school: 18-7 in 2 seasons

Current salary: $750,000 per year

Why it makes sense: Has made a huge national splash in just his second season at Houston. Is an even-tempered disciplinarian who draws praise for getting players to do exactly what he wants of them.

Why it might not happen: He’s very happy at Houston, which will do everything it can to keep him, but will be battling several big-time BCS schools along the way. Maybe he wants his jump from Houston to be a bigger one?

Chris Petersen, Boise State University head coach

Record at school: 47-4 in 4 seasons

Current salary: $1.1 million per year

Why it makes sense: When you throw in his time as an assistant coach, Petersen boasts an unbelievable track record of success. The program did not miss a beat when he took over.

Why it might not happen: After what has happened to former Boise State coach Dan Hawkins at Colorado (most notably a lack of winning), it’s easy to see why other schools would be gun-shy about taking another hot name from Idaho.

Turner Gill, University of Buffalo head coach

Record at school: 20-30 in 4 seasons

Current salary: $401,300 per year

Why it makes sense: Gill has ties to the Big 12 from his days at Nebraska and is from the Dallas Metroplex, the heart of KU’s recruiting area.

Why it might not happen: After a breakthrough season at Buffalo in 2008, Gill’s team missed out on becoming bowl eligible this season. He also has been very public with his spirituality, which has the potential to make some uncomfortable.

Larry Fedora, University of Southern Mississippi head coach

Record at school: 14-10 in 2 seasons

Current salary: $736,102 per year

Why it makes sense: He’s known as an excellent recruiter — especially in Texas, where he was a high school coach — and has Big 12 ties from his days as an offensive coordinator at Oklahoma State.

Why it might not happen: Hasn’t been a head coach long enough to prove he’s a big-time winner.

THE HOT LIST

Brian Kelly, University of Cincinnati head coach

Record at school: 33-6 in 4 seasons (170-57-2 career)

Current salary: $1.4 million per year

Why it makes sense: Kelly might be the best X’s and O’s coach on the market and he has big-time experience with Cincy being in the Big East and vying for BCS inclusion year after year.

Why it might not happen: Unless the Golden Domers go big and try to make a splash with a guy like Jon Gruden or Tony Dungy, Kelly might be Notre Dame-bound any day now.

Randy Edsall, University of Connecticut head coach

Record at school: 62-28 in 11 seasons

Current salary: $1.45 million per year

Why it makes sense: We’ve seen the UConn connection come through KU before since former UConn AD Lew Perkins took over. Why not see it again? In addition to having ties to Perkins, Edsall has done a masterful job of making the Huskies relevant after their leap to the Div. I level.

Why it might not happen: Perkins would open himself to charges that he had orchestrated Mangino’s dismissal to hire Edsall for the second time.

Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern University head coach

Record at school: 27-22 in 4 seasons

Current salary: Not available.

Why it makes sense: Young and fit, his dynamic personality fits the sort of face Perkins wants to put on the football program.

Why it might not happen: Is extremely loyal to Northwestern, where he was a football star and is a darkhorse candidate for the Notre Dame job.

Skip Holtz, East Carolina University head coach

Record at school: 37-26 in 5 seasons (75-48 career)

Current salary: $1.4 million per year

Why it makes sense: Holtz, the son of former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz, coached at Connecticut before heading to East Carolina and has known Perkins for quite some time. Excellent people skills and famous last name make him a natural for reviving the Gridiron Club.

Why it might not happen: Holtz, who turned down Syracuse last year, is more interested in landing the Virginia job, a better fit for his recruiting contacts.

THE ASSISTANTS

Charlie Strong, University of Florida defensive coordinator

Record at school: N/A

Current salary: $310,000 per year

Why it makes sense: Would open up the state of Florida for recruiting and would bring a big-time resume to town.

Why it might not happen: Louisville has targeted Strong as its top candidate and the veteran D-coordinator could prefer to remain close to where he’s had success.

Nolan Cromwell, Texas A&M University offensive coordinator

Record at school: N/A

Current salary: $355,729 per year

Why it makes sense: Knows the game — especially offense — and has his name on the ring of honor at KU’s Memorial Stadium. Perkins might like the idea of having Cromwell, Gale Sayers and John Hadl selling the Gridiron Club.

Why it might not happen: Still relatively new to college coaching, Cromwell might not have the experience necessary to lead Kansas to a Big 12 North title.

FORMER SEC COACHES

Tommy Tuberville, former Auburn University head coach

Record at school: 85-40 at Auburn in 10 years

Current salary: N/A

Why it makes sense: Tuberville had success during his time at Auburn and many believe that his could be the biggest name up for grabs right now.

Why it might not happen: Doesn’t have as much sizzle outside of the South.

Phillip Fulmer, former University of Tennessee head coach

Record at school: 152-52 in 17 seasons at Tennessee

Current salary: N/A

Why it makes sense: His 1998 national title would generate a buzz with the fan base and he wants to get back into coaching. Portion of Vols’ supporters believe firing was premature.

Why it might not happen: Fulmer will be 60 in September and he endured the only bowl-less seasons of his career in 2005 and 2008. Also drawing interest for the vacancy at Louisville.

DARE-TO-DREAM GUY

Brian Billick, former Baltimore Ravens head coach and current NFL analyst

Record at school: 80-64 in 9 seasons with Baltimore

Current salary: N/A

Why it makes sense: Already achieved the ultimate prize as a pro coach by winning the Super Bowl in 2000 and may be interested in a different challenge. He and Perkins know and like each other.

Why it might not happen: Billick can get just about any coaching job on the planet and probably would not be interested in this one.

Source for salary information: USA Today