Muschamp reportedly not interested in SoMiss

[bigsixfive 327]

One of the leading chttp://sports.espn.go.com/ncf/news/story?id=3131855andidates for the vacant Southern Miss head coaching job is Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher. While at LSU, Fisher helped groom JaMarcus Russell into the top pick in last year's NFL draft. Fisher is in his first year with the Seminoles as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. Another name to watch is South Carolina defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix, who played and coached at Southern Miss. There was also some contact with Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, but Muschamp isn't believed to be interested.

Also of note:

Bo Pelini has emerged as the leading candidate at Nebraska and could be introduced as the new coach of the Cornhuskers early next week.

What kind of dropooff is LSU going to have next year? If we find a QB, the West is ours to lose.

With Art Briles leaving for the Baylor job, Houston officials have begun contacting possible candidates, including Alabama offensive coordinator -- and former Texas quarterback -- Major Applewhite.

Was he that good this year? Is this going to hurt uat, or ultimately help them?

Connecticut coach Randy Edsall, who guided the Huskies to a national ranking and 9-3 record this season, has emerged as one of the leading candidates to replace Chan Gailey at Georgia Tech. Edsall, who worked as the Yellow Jackets' defensive coordinator in 1998, was seen Thursday morning flying to Atlanta from Hartford, Conn. Edsall also worked three years as secondary coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars, working under Tom Coughlin. A Georgia Tech official confirmed Thursday night that no candidates have yet been interviewed for the job. Other candidates believed to be in the mix at Georgia Tech include: former Washington coach Rick Neuheisel, Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, East Carolina coach Skip Holtz, Navy coach Paul Johnson and Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong.

BOOOOO!

The names being kicked around for the SMU opening include: former Auburn coach Terry Bowden, ex-Notre Dame coach Bob Davie and recently departed Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione.

Duke has shown some interest in Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe, who's in his second stint with the Vols. Cutcliffe was the head coach at Mississippi from 1999-2004. He took the Rebels to four bowl games and earned a share of the SEC Western Division championship in 2003 before being fired following a 4-7 season the next year. Tennessee may also seek to sweeten Cutcliffe's deal, which pays him $340,000 annually, to entice him to stay in Knoxville.

How bad will this hurt UT if he leaves next year? They're poised to have a potentially great season (just like AU, UF, and UGA).

Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin and Arkansas have a mutual interest in the school's coaching vacancy. However, some believe that his contract with Al Davis will be too difficult to escape. Meanwhile, the school is busy trying to figure out how to pay Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville's buyout to lure the Tigers coach to Hog Land. Other names being bandied about: Texas Tech coach Mike Leach and North Carolina coach Butch Davis.

I bet he's the next UA coach. If he doesn't want to be there, Al won't want him there.