If Notre Dame makes the move that seems inevitable now — the one so many Fighting Irish fans want and commentators endorse — and fires Charlie Weis, who will replace him?

It's a question that has been pondered plenty over the last couple of years by disgruntled Fighting Irish fans.

Here's a look at the field of possible candidates, names that have come up in speculation and guys who often appear on Notre Dame fans' wish lists (in alphabetical order).

Butch Davis North Carolina•

Why he might be a candidate: Davis built some of the best teams in recent memory at Miami and has the Tar Heels on the rise in the ACC.•

Why he might take the job: Basketball comes first at Chapel Hill.•

Why he wouldn't: North Carolina has the resources to win big in the ACC.

Pat Fitzgerald Northwestern•

Why he might be a candidate: Young, fiery and winning at a school that — like Notre Dame — can't get just anybody through admissions.•

Why he might take the job: He already deals with high academic standards, so why not do it at a school that could win a national title?•

Why he wouldn't: Loyalty. He played at Northwestern and the school entrusted him with the task of taking over after coach Randy Walker died.

Jim Harbaugh Stanford•

Why he might be a candidate: Stanford was a dead program when he took over. Three seasons later, he had the Cardinal in Rose Bowl contention.•

Why he might take the job: The same reason as Fitzgerald.•

Why he wouldn't: Maybe the Michigan alum wants to be the next Wolverines coach?

Brian Kelly Cincinnati• W

hy he might be a candidate: He's the new Urban Meyer, an offensive whiz who turned a so-so program into a national power.•

Why he might take the job: It can't get any better for him at Cincinnati. Plus, he's a confident guy who does not shy away from the spotlight.•

Why he wouldn't: Hmmm, can't think of a reason.

Urban Meyer Florida•

Why he might be a candidate: He was an assistant at Notre Dame under Lou Holtz and had a stipulation in his Utah contract that would have let him leave for South Bend without a buyout.•

Why he might take the job: The challenge of returning Notre Dame to glory is alluring.•

Why he wouldn't: It's easier to win national championships at Florida and it's doubtful the Irish can pay him much more than the $4 million per year he already makes.

Chris Petersen Boise State•

Why he might be a candidate: His winning percentage in four seasons in Boise is .920.•

Why he might take the job: All those wins and Boise State has never even sniffed the Bowl Championship Series title game.•

Why he wouldn't: The last two coaches to leave Boise for supposedly better jobs found that life outside the WAC can be harsh.

Bob Stoops Oklahoma•

Why he might be a candidate: He rescued Oklahoma from mediocrity and returned the Sooners to elite status — and that's pretty much the job description at Notre Dame.•

Why he might take the job: Maybe after 11 seasons in Norman, he's ready for a change.•

Why he wouldn't: The same reason as Meyer.