APWith Wisconsin and Michigan State playing for the Big Ten championship in Indianapolis, new Illinois athletic director Mike Thomas will take advantage of the close proximity to ramp-up his search for a new head football coach.
Sources with knowledge of the situation have confirmed to CFT that Thomas will interview Badgers offensive coordinator Paul Chryst and Spartans defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi on Sunday.
It had previously been reported that Thomas is in Indianapolis to conduct interviews, and that two current head coaches will be part of the weekend process as well; Houston’s Kevin Sumlin, Northern Illinois’ Dave Doeren — his Huskies won the MAC title Friday night — Southern Miss’ Larry Fedora – Conference USA title winners this afternoon – Wyoming’s Dave Christensen and Toledo’s Tim Beckman are all current head coaches who have been churned out by the rumor mill as potential targets to replace Ron Zook, although it’s unclear if any of those will be interviewed this weekend.
Oklahoma State offensive coordinator Todd Monken is also rumored to be of interest to the Thomas and the Illini.
The Illini could announce its choice of head coach as early as the middle of this coming week.
See this is the problem with the Big Ten compared to every other conference, letting everyone know who’s on your list let’s the potential coach’s school know they need to lock him up. It happened with Les Miles & Michigan back in 2007 and Dan Mullen & Penn State this year and now this leak is so stupid.
Keep it locked down till you find the guy.