Gophers football targets Chris Petersen (1), Jim Harbaugh (2), Gary Patterson (3)

At least the University of Minnesota is shooting high in its quest for a new football coach.

A little birdie says the Gophers have targeted, in order of priority, Boise State's Chris Petersen, Stanford's Jim Harbaugh and Texas Christian's Gary Patterson to replace the fired Tim Brewster. 

It seems unlikely any of the trio would leave what he has built for a gigantic rebuilding challenge at Minnesota.

Petersen, whose Broncos are 7-0 and ranked No. 4 in the BCS, was considered by Southern California to succeed Pete Carroll and certainly could choose from any number of jobs. He is signed through 2014 and reportedly averages almost $2 million a year.

Harbaugh, a Michigan grad, would seem destined for his alma mater if that job becomes available. And there's no reason to leave Stanford, which is ranked No. 13 at 7-1. Harbaugh is signed through 2014 for a reported base salary of $1.25 million. 

Patterson, who is signed through 2016 for a reported $2.5 million annually and without a buyout penalty, was seriously considered by the Gophers when they hired Brewster and didn't seem much interested then. His No. 3-ranked Horned Frogs are 9-0. 

The lone chance to get any of the three to even consider the Gophers would seem to be cash, lots of it. There's talk that the university could get the ban on alcohol sales removed at its athletic facilities, and that could be worth as much as $3 million annually, enough to pay a top-caliber football coach. 

Meanwhile, another little birdie says Minnesota is seriously interested in Northwestern offensive coordinator Mick McCall. 

Mike Bellotti, who was highly successful at Oregon, is also said to be on Minnesota's radar, as is former Boston College coach Jeff Jagodzinski. 

It's unclear whether former Gophers assistant Kevin Sumlin of the University of Houston is interested. Former South Florida coach Jim Leavitt is considered a candidate. 

Mike Leach, fired as football coach at Texas Tech amid allegations he mistreated a player with a concussion player last season, definitely is interested in the Gophers' football coaching vacancy, but Minnesota hasn't contacted him. 

Former Gophers QB Marc Trestman, who was a candidate for the job Brewster got and is expected to be a serious candidate for Minnesota this time, has his Montreal Alouettes with a 12-5 record. Assistant coaches for Trestman include Andy Bischoff (offensive line) and Tim Tibesar (linebackers), both from St. Paul.

Phil Fulmer, fired by alma mater Tennessee, is said to be interested in Minnesota.