Leach not a serious candidate for Miami job
Canes have 'informal' talks with Tech coach
By JOSEPH DUARTE
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle
Dec. 6, 2006, 7:00AM
Texas Tech coach Mike Leach met with the University of Miami about its vacant head coaching job earlier this week but is not a serious candidate for the position, an NCAA official said Tuesday night.
Leach met with Miami athletic director Paul Dee in New York on Monday and had what the NCAA official described as an "informal conversation" about the position.
The Hurricanes are seeking a replacement for fired coach Larry Coker.
The rampant speculation Leach might be heading to South Florida reached locally, where UH coach Art Briles was mentioned as a possible successor to Leach at Texas Tech.
Leach, who has taken the Red Raiders to a bowl in each of his seven seasons, signed a five-year, $10 million extension in August. The Red Raiders play Minnesota in the Insight Bowl on Dec. 29.
Kosar interested in coaching Miami
Wednesday December 6, 2006 10:56AM
SI.com
MIAMI (AP) -- Former University of Miami and NFL quarterback Bernie Kosar would like to return to the Hurricanes -- as their next coach.
Miami television station WFOR reported Tuesday night that Kosar would like the job, and The Miami Herald quoted Kosar in its Wednesday editions saying "I'm interested."
"UM people knew that I had been offered the president of the Cleveland Browns job," Kosar told the newspaper. "They knew I wanted to get back into football and asked if I'd be interested in the UM job. At first it was just flattering, but then I thought, 'Yeah, I'd really like to look into it."'
Kosar, who told the newspaper that he's had preliminary talks with university officials about replacing Larry Coker as coach of the Hurricanes, did not immediately return e-mails or phone messages from The AP on Wednesday.
Kosar has no coaching experience, but he often serves as a mentor to quarterbacks at Miami, where he is also a university trustee. He retired from the NFL after a 12-year career with the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys and Miami Dolphins.
Coker was fired last month after Miami finished a 6-6 regular season, dropping his six-year record at the school to 59-15. He will coach the Hurricanes in their bowl game Dec. 31 against Nevada.
Several candidates are in the mix to replace Coker, including Miami defensive coordinator Randy Shannon and Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, both of whom have had discussions with Hurricanes athletic director Paul Dee about the vacancy.
Other potential candidates reportedly include Texas Christian coach Gary Patterson and West Virginia's Rich Rodriguez, who has also been mentioned as a possible replacement for Mike Shula at Alabama.
Rutgers coach Greg Schiano -- a former Miami assistant -- said earlier this week that he was not interested in the Miami job.
Kosar was a fan favorite as the Hurricanes quarterback from 1983 to 1984, leading Miami to a national championship as a freshman, beating Nebraska in the Orange Bowl. The Browns got him in a supplemental draft after he graduated early with a dual degree in finance and economics.
Kosar threw 124 touchdown passes in his NFL career, with 87 interceptions.
It was a turbulent season in Miami this year -- with the biggest blow being the death of Bryan Pata, who was shot and killed outside his off-campus apartment complex on Nov. 7.
Even before that, a top wide receiver was suspended for much of the season after getting involved in an altercation with two women, a player was shot in an alleged robbery attempt where another teammate returned fire at the purported assailants, and the Hurricanes were involved in an on-field brawl with Florida International which resulted in the suspension of 31 players, 13 from Miami.
Copyright 2006 Associated Press.
Alabama, Miami coaching news heats up
December 5, 2006
Alabama: The agent of West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez has been difficult to get a hold of. And that usually means one thing: something is going on. One deterrent is Rodriguez's massive buyout. But if he really wants the Bama job, it's believed Alabama will pony up. It's hard not to believe that Rodriguez is Alabama's top target. Something is primed to happen one way or the other in the coming days.
I also have heard that we shouldn't discount Miami Dolphins coach Nick Saban, no matter what he says. If Alabama is willing to wait on Saban, he could take the Bama job. No doubt, if Bama doesn't get Rodriguez -- or if it doesn't want Arkansas coach Houston Nutt, who supposedly is interested in the job -- don't he surprised if another push is made for Saban.
Miami: Miami's list of coaching options is mighty short if Texas Tech coach Mike Leach doesn't take the job. A deal could be near. But if it's contingent on Hurricane defensive coordinator Randy Shannon remaining in his post and adding the title of assistant head coach, the deal likely will fall through. I hear Shannon has little-to-no interest in remaining as anything but the head coach. But, if Shannon is given enough money, maybe he could be placated.
Arizona State: Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow remains a big player at Arizona State. He reportedly has met with ASU A.D. Lisa Love, and the two know each other from their days together at USC. Chow would love nothing better than to get back in the Pac-10 and have a crack each year at USC. Chow supposedly didn't leave Los Angeles on the best of terms with head coach Pete Carroll or assistant head coach Steve Sarkisian. It's believed Chow makes $1 million with the Titans. So, if ASU wants to land Chow, it may cost the school around $1.5-1.7 million per season.
The word is Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe is very interested in Arizona State. He would seem to be a great option.
DeWayne Walker would love to get involved. And it may happen. His work this year with UCLA's defense shows he knows his stuff, and the guy has NFL experience, too.
LSU defensive coordinator Bo Pelini would love to get involved in Tempe, but it may be difficult. He doesn't know Love and isn't a West Coast guy. Still, if Pelini can get his foot in the door, he could be a player.
And, don't forget UTEP coach Mike Price. As I said earlier, he would like to get this job.
USC coach Pete Carroll has endorsed Sarkisian.
Stanford: The options at Stanford could be interesting. San Jose State coach Dick Tomey would like to be involved. He has done a great job with the Spartans this year, and no doubt is one of the nation's best coaches. But age could be a factor for the former Arizona coach.
Denver Broncos tight end coach Tim Brewster reportedly is interested in exploring the Cardinal gig. He's a strong disciplinarian and relentless recruiter who could be just what Stanford needs. Brewster is ready to take the next step.
UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker reportedly would like to draw interest for this post. He's one of the hottest commodities in the nation and looks destined for big things. Stanford would be smart to take a long look at Walker.
Don't be surprised to see former New York Giants coach Jim Fassel get involved. There figures to be few NFL openings this year, and Fassel may see this as a chance to get a head coaching job. His credentials are impressive, as he has coached a Super Bowl team. And everyone who has worked with him says great things about Fassel.
Former Iowa State coach Dan McCarney could emerge. He's a long shot, given the way his tenure in Ames ended. But McCarney is a good coach who has a relationship with Stanford A.D. Bob Bowlsby.
There's also Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator Norm Chow. But he interviewed for this job the last time it opened. And, he supposedly didn't impress. Still, Chow loves the Bay Area and would like to get a look.
N.C. State: Again, this appears to be a two-man race between Navy coach Paul Johnson and LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, who both supposedly have talked to North Carolina State. Word is N.C. State A.D. Lee Fowler is interviewing candidates in Nashville. Other names I hear are ex-Georgia coach Jim Donnan, Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson and Tulsa coach Steve Kragthorpe. Titans offesnive coordinator Norm Chow also could get a look, but he's a long shot here.
This and that
I'm told the Tulane Green Wave is targeting three candidates: Buffalo Bills assistant Bobby April, UTEP offensive coordinator Eric Price and San Diego coach Jim Harbaugh. ...
Word is Iowa State is paying its new offensive coordinator Robert McFarland $300,000. He was the head coach of Stephen F. Austin. He and new ISU coach Gene Chizik have worked together in the past. ...
San Diego Chargers tight ends coach Rob Chudzinski apparently could have joined Butch Davis' North Carolina staff as offensive coordinator, but he has opted against it. ...
If Texas Tech coach Mike Leach takes the Miami job, look for the Red Raiders to pursue Houston coach Art Briles, a bright mind who knows the west Texas terrain. Tech offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes also would be a natural to ascend to the throne. ...
If Rich Rodriguez bolts, it's believed LSU offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher would like to get in line for the job. And Fisher could be the next offensive coordinator at Florida State if he fails to land a head coaching job. ...
Southlake (Texas) Carroll High coach Todd Dodge looks like the front-runner at North Texas. ...
With USC missing the national title game, it appears Pete Carroll will remain at Troy. So, for now, scuttle any talk of him pursuing the Arizona Cardinals job.
