News Flash: Cincy's next move
Expect Cincinnati's search to replace Brian Kelly as head football coach to wrap up this week.
The top candidates appear to be East Carolina coach Skip Holtz and Central Michigan coach Butch Jones.
Jones is expected to interview on Tuesday, while Holtz also could talk to Cincinnati early this week. Bearcat offensive coordinator Jeff Quinn, who will coach the team in the Sugar Bowl, has interviewed for the job.
A decision at Cincinnati may impact how soon Marshall hires a coach. The top candidate is Jones. Some outlets have reported that Jones has taken the Marshall job, but that is inaccurate. But if Jones gets the Cincinnati job, Marshall may be in scramble mode. Florida State offensive line coach Rick Trickett has interviewed. Other possible Marshall candidates are Wake Forest defensive coordinator Brad Lambert, ex-Marshall coach Bob Pruett and interim head coach/defensive coordinator Rick Minter.
UNLV update
UNLV still needs to select an athletic director from a group of three finalists, but the school appears to be moving forward in its search for a replacement for departed coach Mike Sanford.
The top candidate appears to be Jacksonville Jaguars offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter. He has been with Jacksonville for the past three seasons. Before that, Koetter was head coach of Arizona State from 2001-06, compiling a 40-34 record with four bowls. He was head coach of Boise State from 1998-2000, going 26-10 with two bowls.
If Arizona athletic director Jim Livengood gets the UNLV A.D. job, Wildcats offensive coordinator Sonny Dykes could become a top contender.
Others who could be in the running are ex-Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione, Idaho coach Robb Akey and Montana coach Bobby Hauck.
Arkansas elevates McGee
Arkansas has promoted Garrick McGee to offensive coordinator. He is the school's first African-American coordinator.
McGee has been Arkansas' quarterbacks coach the past two years. He was offensive coordinator at Northwestern from 2006-07 before joining Bobby Petrino at Arkansas.
McGee replaces Paul Petrino who took the offensive coordinator job at Illinois
Illinois' additions
Illinois added two more pieces to its rebuilt staff by hiring Greg Nord to coach tight ends and Jeff Brohm to coach quarterbacks.
Nord was tight ends coach at Louisville, while Brohm was quarterbacks coach of Florida Atlantic.
Nord and Brohm worked with new Illinois offensive coordinator Paul Petrino at Louisville when Bobby Petrino was Cardinals coach from 2003-06. During Bobby Petrino's tenure, Louisville averaged 41.1 points.
Illinois still is searching for a defensive coordinator. Kansas State co-defensive coordinator Vic Koening is a potential candidate. There also is a chance the school will hire an assistant head coach for Ron Zook.
Foster staying at VT
Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster has agreed to a new contract, according to the Washington Post. Financial terms weren't disclosed.
Foster reportedly had been approached by Florida, Florida State and Georgia about their defensive coordinator jobs. Foster has been at Virginia Tech the past 15 seasons under Frank Beamer.
"Coach Beamer has been extremely good to me," Foster told the Post. "I want to ride this thing out with him. We've been doing this a long time together and there's no reason to stop there. It's a good deal all the way around. I'm extremely pleased."
