Rutgers coaching search buzz has been dominated by two names so far: Greg Schiano and Joe Moorhead.

But with weeks to go on the timeline for a new hire laid out by athletics director Pat Hobbs, the rumor mill is going to need more than two names to keep churning along. It seems inevitable that a wild card candidate or two will emerge as the search progresses.

Here are five names that have not yet become serious contenders, but are being discussed on the periphery of the search:

K.C. Keeler, Sam Houston State: Maybe the most intriguing name on this list. Keeler, 60, has serious interest in the Rutgers job. He is a Lehigh Valley native who won an FCS national title at Delaware and appeared in three championship games there, went to five Division-3 national title games at Rowan and has been to the national semifinals or later in 13 of his 15 combined career playoff appearances at Delaware, Rowan and Sam Houston State. Keeler is an offensive-minded coach and his teams traditionally has recruited New Jersey and its neighboring states his entire career and would bring a New Jersey-centric staff. Former Rutgers star Darnell Stapleton and Garden State native Ryan Carty are on his staff at Sam Houston State, as are former Monmouth receiver Terence Archer and former Rutgers staffer Brett Arnold.

Introducing Rutgers Sports Insider: Sign up for exclusive news, behind-the-scenes observations and the ability to text message directly with beat writers

Terry M. Smith, Penn State: Smith, 50, wears many hats for the Nittany Lions as their assistant head coach, defensive recruiting coordinator and cornerbacks coach. He was a three-year starter at receiver for Penn State during his playing career and has been one of Penn State’s top recruiters during his time there. He also spent a season on the Temple staff and was a successful head coach at Gateway High near Pittsburgh.

Curt Cignetti, James Madison: Cignetti, 58, is in his first season as head coach at JMU after successful stints at Elon and Indiana University of Pennsylvania. The former West Virginia player has ties to the region - he has been on staff at Pittsburgh and Temple - and his brother, Frank, is a former Rutgers offensive coordinator and Giants quarterbacks coach. Cignetti is also part of the Nick Saban coaching tree and was on staff for Saban’s first national title at Alabama, helping to recruit some of the team’s top players.

Raheem Morris, Atlanta Falcons: Morris’ three-year head coaching stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers may have been seen as a mess at the time, but it is likely aging well. He was the league’s youngest head coach at the time, he went 10-6 in his second year and barely missed the playoffs and the Bucs have had four different head coaches since he left. Morris, 43, has rehabilitated his career as an assistant in Atlanta, but days are likely numbered for Dan Quinn’s staff. Morris’ best shot to get another head coaching job at the moment may be in college. He’s an energetic Irvington native with some college experience - he was the defensive coordinator at Kansas State in 2006 - that could generate excitement and build a staff that recruits at a high level.

Buy Rutgers-Liberty tickets: StubHub, SeatGeek

Rex Ryan, ESPN: Stop laughing. The reasons why people mention his name are valid ones. Ryan, 56, is an extremely bright defensive mind who knows the region. He’s also the type of showman Rutgers could use at this point in its history. It remains to be seen if Ryan wants to work as hard as would be needed to resuscitate the Scarlet Knights. But if he was on-board with working in the college game - and he was rumored to be interested in the Miami job last year - many believe he would be a coach that would connect with parents and recruits and jolt the fan base out of its apathy. You can say a lot of things about his tenure with the Jets, but the players played hard for him until the very end.

Get Rutgers Sports Insider text messages from reporters: Cut through the clutter of social media and communicate directly with the Rutgers beat writers. Plus, exclusive news and analysis every day. Sign up now.

James Kratch may be reached at jkratch@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JamesKratch. Find NJ.com Rutgers Football on Facebook.