Texas AD Steve Patterson: Wants coaching search done by Jan. 15

Texas head coach Mack Brown had a 158-45 record in 16 seasons with the school. (Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

Texas athletic director Steve Patterson said Monday before the Alamo Bowl that he hopes to have a new coach in place before the recruiting dead period ends on Jan. 15.

Texas seeks to replace Mack Brown, who resigned earlier this month after 16 years at the school.

“We have to be back open for business in the middle of the month once the dead period ends,” Patterson said, via the Austin American-Statesman. “Oh, I think we’ve got to be done by then.

“The coach has to put together a staff and get up and running, keep the recruits we got and fill up any spots we’ve got open.”

Patterson said the school will honor scholarship offers for those gave oral commitment for the 2014 class, but declined to say who he has talked to about the coaching job.

"The guys we're talking to probably aren't filling out applications It’s a great job, there’s a lot of interest,” Patterson said. “We’ll get through the next week or so and get to the point of having  a new football coach. That’s where we want to be."