Running down potential candidates
Since we don't plan to throw the name of every theoretical coaching candidate in the newspaper until we can determine whether he's truly a viable candidate whom the Utes are pursuing - there's just not enough room, for starters - we'll try to keep you up to date on some of the possibilities here.
Keep in mind, many of the prospective coaching candidates are still working and nearly impossible to reach, and many of them are reluctant to speak openly about job opportunities. The ones that are, typically, don't have much of a chance of landing the job, though that's not always the case.
With that mind, then ...
We know the Mike Montgomery and Stew Morrill have said they're not interested. But in recent days, several others have told The Tribune they have not been contacted by athletic director Chris Hill or any intermediaries and do not expect to be among the candidates - including St. Mary's Randy Bennett, Weber State's Randy Rahe and Florida's Larry Shyatt.
Nevada's Mark Fox seems to be a popular candidate about whom to speculate - a one-line note at the bottom a FoxSports.com report earlier this week said the Utes were trying to lure him - but several people close to him have indicated that he's unlikely to consider the Utes in what would be something of a lateral move for him.
After all, he's making nearly $500,000 a year with a wife who's a senior administrator at the university, has a strong team coming back next season, and believes his next job can take him higher than the Mountain West Conference - as evidenced by predecessor Trent Johnson parlaying his success into the Stanford job three years ago.
However, three coaches with strong ties to the glory days under former coach Rick Majerus could be in the running.
Head coach Tommy Connor of Westminster College and assistant coach Donny Daniels of UCLA both have told The Tribune that they would be interested in the job, but had not been contacted about it. Meanwhile, head coach Dick Hunsaker of Utah Valley State College declined to answer any questions about the job - suggesting he's somehow in the mix but doesn't want to foul up his chances or anger his current employer.
"I have a great job," is all he would say, "and I love the job I have."
Keep in mind, many of the prospective coaching candidates are still working and nearly impossible to reach, and many of them are reluctant to speak openly about job opportunities. The ones that are, typically, don't have much of a chance of landing the job, though that's not always the case.
With that mind, then ...
We know the Mike Montgomery and Stew Morrill have said they're not interested. But in recent days, several others have told The Tribune they have not been contacted by athletic director Chris Hill or any intermediaries and do not expect to be among the candidates - including St. Mary's Randy Bennett, Weber State's Randy Rahe and Florida's Larry Shyatt.
Nevada's Mark Fox seems to be a popular candidate about whom to speculate - a one-line note at the bottom a FoxSports.com report earlier this week said the Utes were trying to lure him - but several people close to him have indicated that he's unlikely to consider the Utes in what would be something of a lateral move for him.
After all, he's making nearly $500,000 a year with a wife who's a senior administrator at the university, has a strong team coming back next season, and believes his next job can take him higher than the Mountain West Conference - as evidenced by predecessor Trent Johnson parlaying his success into the Stanford job three years ago.
However, three coaches with strong ties to the glory days under former coach Rick Majerus could be in the running.
Head coach Tommy Connor of Westminster College and assistant coach Donny Daniels of UCLA both have told The Tribune that they would be interested in the job, but had not been contacted about it. Meanwhile, head coach Dick Hunsaker of Utah Valley State College declined to answer any questions about the job - suggesting he's somehow in the mix but doesn't want to foul up his chances or anger his current employer.
"I have a great job," is all he would say, "and I love the job I have."
posted by www.sltrib.com @ 9:26 AM |
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