In the midst of speculation that BcS schools could be casting flirtatious glances in the general direction of their head coach, Houston is looking to hike up its skirt and show a little contractual leg toward Kevin Sumlin as well.
According to the Houston Chronicle, new Cougars athletic director Mack Rhoades has held preliminary contract discussions with his current head coach as he attempts to lay the groundwork for the coach to be in Houston for the long haul.
Or at least past the conclusion of the 2009 Coaching Silly Season.
“Kevin and I have had several positive, detailed preliminary discussions regarding his future here at the University of Houston,” Rhoades said. “Currently, we’re focused on finishing the season strong. We’ll resume discussions immediately following the championship game.”
Sumlin’s Cougars stand at 10-2 on the season — including an inexplicable loss to 4-8 UTEP — and are the No. 18 team in the country. Saturday, they will take on East Carolina in the Conference USA championship game.
At the conclusion of that title game, Sumlin said, he and Rhoades will roll up their sleeves and begin in earnest talks on nailing down a long-term contract.
“It’s just a mutual agreement that we’ll have more serious discussions next week after the game,” Sumlin said. “But we’ve certainly had good discussions about the direction, the future, where we’re heading. I feel good about it.”
Sumlin, who has an 18-7 mark in his nearly two seasons with the Cougars, says that he has not been contacted by any other school regarding any openings.
His name has, however, been attached to the opening at Louisville, and the potential opening at Kansas. The 45-year-old coach is also thought to be on the periphery of the discussion regarding that job in South Bend you may have heard came open in the last day or so.
