Oklahoma City-based Chesapeake Energy's search for new CEO compared to replacing football coach

It's fairly unusual for a Fortune 500 company to lose its top executive without a succession plan in place.

But the discussion — and even many of the terms used — is similar to a process very common throughout the country, especially about this time of year.

Every winter, dozens of college football coaches throughout the country find themselves on the outs after becoming at odds with their athletic directors or boosters.

Sometimes the departure is simply because the coach didn't win enough. Other times, a change at the top is made because of some ethical or legal violation.

Chesapeake seems not unlike an Ohio State or Southern California, with a history of success, faithful funders and top-notch facilities, but is facing uncertainty from regulators.

Industry observers have different opinions about what kind of person would best fill the role.

Bernstein Research analyst Bob Brackett said McClendon did a good job of building Chesapeake into one of the largest natural gas and oil companies in the country, but now it needs someone better equipped to manage and develop those assets.

“If Chesapeake is indeed serious about entering a ‘harvest' mode and living closer within its means, the company is better served having a leader who embodies that strategy,” Brackett wrote Wednesday.