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From the Houston Chronicle:

NCAA officials have confirmed Houston's Art Briles has been contacted by representatives from the University of Minnesota to discuss the Golden Gophers' vacant football coaching vacancy.

But Briles, who was named Conference USA Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, decided on Tuesday to decline an interview for the position.

Briles, contacted at the AFCA convention in San Antonio, declined comment, other than to day, "I am committed to the University of Houston. I appreciate the loyalty of the fans, the student body and the administration. I intend to remain a Cougar."

Kewl

Except that we play them down there next year

The Minneapolis Star-Tribune cited the Chronicle on Briles. It also mentioned that they want to talk to Notre Dame's offensive coordinator (I guess he is in name only since Charlie Weis does it all) and Florida's offensive coordinator Charlie Strong is interested.

One name that surfaced -- and I would like our USC fan to comment on him -- is Trojans offensive coordinator Lane Kiffen, son of Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monty Kiffen.

Lane is from Minneapolis, is 31 years old, considered a tireless recruiter and obviously worked with some pretty good offensive talent. The search firm the Gophers are using talked with Pete Carroll about him. I'm intrigued by him.

Two words....Hayden Fox.

mrydel wrote:Two words....Hayden Fox.

I just want him and Luther to be a package deal. No Luther. No Hayden.

Big10Ponyfan wrote:The Minneapolis Star-Tribune cited the Chronicle on Briles. It also mentioned that they want to talk to Notre Dame's offensive coordinator (I guess he is in name only since Charlie Weis does it all) and Florida's offensive coordinator Charlie Strong is interested....

Isn't Charlie Strong the defensive coordinator?

Big10Ponyfan wrote:

mrydel wrote:Two words....Hayden Fox.

I just want him and Luther to be a package deal. No Luther. No Hayden.

What about Dobber? The actor who played him (Bill Faggerbakke) is an SMU grad.

MustangIcon wrote:From the Houston Chronicle:

NCAA officials have confirmed Houston's Art Briles has been contacted by representatives from the University of Minnesota to discuss the Golden Gophers' vacant football coaching vacancy.

But Briles, who was named Conference USA Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, decided on Tuesday to decline an interview for the position.

Briles, contacted at the AFCA convention in San Antonio, declined comment, other than to day, "I am committed to the University of Houston. I appreciate the loyalty of the fans, the student body and the administration. I intend to remain a Cougar."

"I am NOT going to be the Alabama coach."

Words mean nothing...we will see who gets hired. I think Briles is telling the truth in this instance, but as Saban has already shown, words mean nothing.

PonyPride,
You are right. I knew that. Just wrote it wrong. Strong is the defensive coordinator. But his name always surfaces with a lot of other searches. I've always been impressed with his teams. But he would be working with completely different athletes from Gainesville to Minneapolis.

MustangIcon wrote:From the Houston Chronicle:

NCAA officials have confirmed Houston's Art Briles has been contacted by representatives from the University of Minnesota to discuss the Golden Gophers' vacant football coaching vacancy.

But Briles, who was named Conference USA Coach of the Year and was a finalist for the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award, decided on Tuesday to decline an interview for the position.

Briles, contacted at the AFCA convention in San Antonio, declined comment, other than to day, "I am committed to the University of Houston. I appreciate the loyalty of the fans, the student body and the administration. I intend to remain a Cougar."

Amazing, a loyal coach not looking for more money and staying with a non-BCS school. Glad to see it!

Big10Ponyfan wrote:One name that surfaced -- and I would like our USC fan to comment on him -- is Trojans offensive coordinator Lane Kiffen, son of Tampa Bay defensive coordinator Monty Kiffen.

Lane is from Minneapolis, is 31 years old, considered a tireless recruiter and obviously worked with some pretty good offensive talent. The search firm the Gophers are using talked with Pete Carroll about him. I'm intrigued by him.

Kiffen seems to have a pretty good offensive mind, although I must admit the SC offense this year was pretty inconsistent. I just don't know how he will coach without Sarkisian - I think they've depended on each other to be successful. I do think they both have bright futures in coaching, though.