Since this is a fun theoretical I'm going all out.
If I'm AD, my first call is to Bob Stoops. I sell him being HC for 3-5 years, building his former team into a program the way he wants, and handing off it off to his hand-picked assistant.
This isn't as crazy as it sounds. I think Stoops would also be a great guy to in effect "pick the next coach". What a great way around GarBar.
My second call is to Matt Campbell. I just think he's really good. This would be a very long shot but if he can make ISU as good as he has, he could do wonders at Iowa.
Something about the stain of coming from Ames ... On the other hand it would be fun to definitely prove to them that IOWA is a step up.
Mark Stoops would be 3rd on my list simply because he played at Iowa and maybe I could hold on to him for awhile if he was successful.
I have to include that I truly believe Barta would/will completely f up the hiring of KF's successor. Basically it will be Brian which could cause mass revolt among the fans because Iowa's offense is always so poor or a current MAC HC which will excite nobody. So its basically Brian is going to turn out to be a good coach or we depending on a blind squirrel to find a nut.