Rick Neuheisel's rocky four-year run at Washington may be close to an end after he admitted taking part in a NCAA basketball tournament pool, violating an NCAA rule that forbids gambling on college sports by athletes and coaches.

While Washington is still reviewing the case, Neiheisel vows to fight to keep his job. However, if the Huskies should decide to part ways with Neuheisel, here's who could be next at Washington:

Keith Gilbertson, Washington offensive coordinator
If you had to label a favorite for the job in this situation, Gilbertson would be it. The Huskies have a chance to be good -- scratch that, very good -- this season and with Gilbertson taking over, this would put to an end any more possible distractions. He would likely keep the same coaching staff -- a plus considering Phil Snow has seemingly solidified last year's shaky defense -- and the high-powered offense -- led by QB Cody Pickett and WR Reggie Williams -- would obviously stay the same.

Also, it would be tough to get a coach to leave another program to come here and, with no president in place at U-Dub, does AD Barbara Hedges really go out and hire a coach? Yes, Gilbertson would likely have the interim tag and draw the inevitable comparisons to the Jim Lambright era, but who cares? Gilbertson has head coaching experience (Idaho, 1986-88 and Cal 1993-96), won a national title with the Huskies in 1991 under Don James and, more importantly, provides continuity for a team talented enough to win the Pac-10.

Gary Pinkel, Missouri head coach
A sexier choice than Gilbertson, it's also a tougher one. It would be hard to pry Pinkel away from Missouri when he seems to have the Tigers on the way up both on (with a group of talented young players led by QB Brad Smith) and off the field (with Missouri investing in facilities upgrades). But you never know. After all, Pinkel was a graduate assistant with Don James at Kent State and then spent 12 years under James at U-Dub. What if James calls and asks Pinkel to help out the Huskies?

While Pinkel -- who was a finalist for the Huskies job before it was given to Neuheisel -- is great at building a program (see Toledo and what he's doing at Missouri), is Washington a program in need of rebuilding? There are some concerns bringing in Pinkel -- and a new staff -- could hurt this team more than help it right now.

Chris Tormey, Nevada head coach
Here's guessing it wouldn't be as hard to pry Tormey from Nevada as it would be bring in Pinkel from Missouri. Like Pinkel, Tormey was also considered for the Huskies job four years ago. Tormey spent 11 years at U-Dub working under both Don James and Jim Lambright.

Tormey has had success at Nevada and he might be more open to keeping some of the current staff around to help preserve continuity for this season, but is that enough?

Names to watch: