Who could lead the US Navy instead of King

Who could lead the US Navy before and during World War II if Ernest King were unavailable?

James O. Richardson was the most capable alternative, though Roosevelt would face a major argument with him.

Richardson is selected for his professional ability despite the political difficulty of the choice. He had the experience and judgment for senior wartime command, and without King his path to the top becomes much clearer. Richardson's earlier opposition to Roosevelt's basing decisions had already produced a rupture with the president. Appointing him would trade King's difficult personality for a different and equally consequential civil-military argument.