Birmingham Brother Rice will have a new football coach before the end of next week.

AKA The GRIDIRON GODFATHER Al Fracassa's colossal shoes will soon be filled, if in job-title only.

Here's Burney's Top 5 candidates to assume the helm with the historic ORANGE&BLACK;

1 Scott Merchant – Probably the frontrunner for the much-coveted slot…fits all the criteria, Rice blood through-and-through, successful prep head coaching career around the area and in the CHSL, character guy, Fracassa disciple, master motivator   

2 (tie) Adam "Coach K" Korzienewski – "In-House Frontrunner A", the Warriors defensive coordinator the past five years, elite tactician, defines the term 'attention to detail.'   

2 (tie) David Sofran –"In-House Frontrunner B," the Warriors associate head coach offensive coordinator the past several seasons, Sofran is said to be Fracassa's choice to succeed him. An all-time great as a player in the Rice record books, really understands and embodies the system and the culture in WARRIORSNATION more than any other candidate

3 Tony Patritto – The No. 1 choice if they decide to go outside the "Rice Family,"….everything you could ever want in a head coach, has built a powerhouse of a program at Rochester Adams and got his feet wet on the sidelines in the Catholic League at Madison Heights Bishop Foley

4 Steve Morrison – Lots of credentials and tons of experience (Orange&Black alum, learned under Bo and Fracassa , NFL career as a LB, longtime assistant coach at the D1 college level) Morrison is said to be in hot pursuit of the post

5 Mike Lodish – "Wildcard" in the race, Lodish is a big personality, smart and hard-nosed as a can be and the ultimate picture of a winner....as in state title at Rice in '83, Rose Bowl title in college at UCLA, lengthy pro career on the D-Line and an NFL-record SIX Super Bowl appearances (2 rings)