There have been myriad opportunities for Chris Petersen to leave Boise over the past several years, but the Broncos head coach has never pulled the trigger on a move. Reportedly, and at least as far as one high-profile opening is concerned, he’s still not ready.
Less than 24 hours after his name (again) surfaced in connection to it, Petersen, ESPN.com‘s Joe Schad reports, “has withdrawn from [the] USC coaching search after mutual interest.” Petersen had been mentioned as a possibility since Lane Kiffin was fired in late September five games into the season.
At some point in the near future, you can expect Boise State to announce an “enhanced” contract for Petersen.
Petersen has been at Boise State the past 13 years, eight as head coach. After winning at least 10 games his first seven seasons, the Broncos went just 8-4 in 2013. The eight wins in the regular season are the program’s fewest since it went 8-4 during a bowl-less 2001 season, its first year under Dan Hawkins.
Along with Petersen, Vanderbilt’s James Franklin had reportedly been USC’s top targets. Washington’s Steve Sarkisian also interviewed, although the UW coach said “USC reached out to him but he did NOT interview for the job” according to local radio reports.