Redskins’ Jerry Gray likely headed to Memphis

Washington Redskins defensive assistant Jerry Gray is emerging as the likely candidate to replace Tommy Westafter he interviewed for the vacant University of Memphis football coaching position Tuesday in Memphis, according to sources close to the process. Gray, secondary coach for the Redskins, and LSU assistant Larry Porter, a former Memphis running back, are considered the top choices to become the next UofM coach. Porter interviewed Friday for the job that opened Nov. 9 when West was dismissed. – Memphis Commercial Appeal

Gray, Porter Lead Memphis Search

The search for the next University of Memphis football coach is moving at an accelerated pace as the regular season winds to a close and it appears the race to replace Tommy West is down to two candidates: Washington Redskins defensive assistant Jerry Gray and LSU assistant head coach Larry Porter. Sources close to the process said Sunday that Gray, 46, or Porter, 37, could be named as early as next week. The Tigers (2-9) play their finale Friday at Tulsa in a Conference USA game that will end the nine-year run of West. West, the former Clemson coach, led the program to five bowl appearances in the past seven seasons, but his teams have gone 17-32 since 2006. Neither Gray nor Porter has head coaching experience at any level. – Commercial Appeal

Larry Porter Leads Memphis Search?

Well placed sources at Memphis tell Football Rumor Mill that LSU running backs coach Larry Porter has emerged at the leader in Memphis’s search for a new coach to replace the fired Tommy West.

In the early stages, it appeared MTSU coach Rick Stockstill would land the job. However, he pulled out and decided to stay in Murfreesboro. In the meantime, a schism developed among the powers at Memphis. It seems AD R.C. Johnson wanted Porter, while other prominent boosters wanted to move in another direction.

Sources indicate this morning that it appears Johnson is winning the battle. More to come from Football Rumor Mill…

Top candidates at Memphis

Three SEC assistants — Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn, Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong and LSU running backs coach Larry Porter — are among those being mentioned as possible candidates to replace Tommy West, who was fired last week at Memphis. Porter is a Memphis alum, gaining 2,194 yards from 1990 to ‘93 to place sixth on the Tigers’ career rushing list. In addition to coaching running backs, Porter is assistant head coach and chief recruiter for LSU coach Les Miles. “He has great experience, great natural instincts in football, is knowledgeable and has all the people skills you would want in a guy who’s going to be called upon to make some real decisions,” Miles said of Porter. “I recommend coach Porter to any number of opportunities.” Louisiana Tech coach Derek Dooley, Detroit Lions assistant and former Memphis defensive coordinator Tim Walton and Oklahoma State co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer — the son of former Ole Miss coach Billy Brewer — are other potential candidates. CBSSports.com’s Dennis Dodd has reported that former Southern Miss coach Jeff Bower and North Alabama coach Terry Bowden have expressed interest in the job, while ESPN.com listed former Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville as a possible candidate. Middle Tennessee’s Rick Stockstill has withdrawn his name from contention, ESPN.com reported. – Mobile Press-Register

Bailiff’s job safe despite 1-9, but other C-USA coaches in trouble

The coaching carousel within Conference USA has begun. Memphis fired Tommy West. Mark Snyder might not be long for Marshall. At UTEP, athletic director Bob Stull told a television station that Mike Price would return in 2010. And after three seasons with a combined record of 9-25, Bob Toledo likely is hearing grumbling at Tulane. But the carousel won’t stop at Rice. Interim athletic director David Sayler said Wednesday that football coach David Bailiff, whose team won its first game of the season Saturday against Tulane, is safe despite a 1-9 record. “He’s the perfect guy for our program,” Sayler said. “There will be no change whatsoever. … There is no change in our philosophy.” Such talk wasn’t a surprise to Bailiff. “I’m fine. The most pressure I get I put on myself,” he said. “I don’t have any worries. They see we’re building a program, we’re young and injured, and we redshirted a lot of kids (18) this year to do it the right way.” Also, Sayler said he doesn’t anticipate a shake-up among Bailiff’s assistants. – Houston Chronicle

Rick Stockstill withdraws name from Memphis job

Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill has withdrawn his name from the Memphis coaching search and will remain at Middle Tennessee. Stockstill acknowledged Monday that Memphis had contacted Middle Tennessee athletic director Chris Massaro to seek permission to speak with him. Memphis fired Tommy West on Nov. 9 after a 2-7 record this season. West is coaching through the end of the season. Stockstill, 24-23 in four seasons at Middle Tennessee, and the Blue Raiders face Arkansas State this weekend. – ESPN

Gran, MacIntyre in the picture at Memphis

University of Tennessee running backs coach/special teams coach Eddie Gran and Duke University defensive coordinator Mike MacIntyre are the latest names to surface in the University of Memphis’ hunt for a successor to Tommy West… Memphis is expected to name a new coach shortly after the season ends Nov. 27 in Tulsa. Late last week, LSU assistant Larry Porter, Middle Tennessee coach RIck Stockstill, North Alabama coach Terry Bowden, Oklahoma State co-offensive coordinator Gunter Brewer and Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster emerged as the leading candidates. Porter and Stockstill appear to be atop the list, Porter for his reputation as a recruiter and being a former Memphis running back and Stockstill for his head coaching experience. His MTSU team has an opportunity to finish 9-3 this season. – Commercial-Appeal

Memphis Has a Short List

Larry Porter, Rick Stockstill, Terry Bowden, Gunter Brewer and Bud Foster — have emerged as leading candidates to become the next University of Memphis football coach, according to sources close to the process. But Tigers athletic director R.C. Johnson, who would only confirm he had pared a list of 50 considerably, said no candidates have been interviewed to replace Tommy West, who was dismissed Monday after nine seasons as UofM coach. West, 55, will coach through the end of the season. ”There are an awful lot of people out there who are pretty excited about this job,” Johnson said. – Commercial-Appeal

“Strong” Name for Job Openings

Defensive coordinator Charlie Strong said his focus is the Florida defense, not head-coaching opportunities. The Memphis Commercial Appeal linked Strong, a Gators coordinator since 2003, to the Memphis job this week after Tommy West resigned. South Carolina Coach Steve Spurrier said Strong should be a head coach soon. “I just have to work and continue to do this job right now,” Strong said. When asked how it feels that many peers root for his career ascension, Strong said  “that’s great, but we just have to wait for it to happen.” Coach Urban Meyer said he and Strong talked over the summer about handling potential job opportunities without interfering with team chemistry. – Orlando Sentinel

Will Memphis Pick a Bowden?

The Memphis coaching job that came open this week with Tommy West’s dismissal could be an attractive one. The school needs to commit to improving the facilities. The next coach will inherit a solid program and be expected to build Memphis into a consistent bowl team and possibly help the school join a Big Six league.

Here’s a look at some prime candidates:

Tommy Bowden: He is sitting out this year after coaching Clemson for 10 years. Tommy has that Bowden cachet that would resonate with recruits and help raise money among boosters.

Terry Bowden: After being fired at Auburn in 1998, Terry remained out of coaching until taking over Division II power North Alabama. He has the name to attract recruits and help raise money.

Gunter Brewer: The Oklahoma offensive coordinator previously served as Minnesota’s offensive coordinator. Brewer is the son of former Ole Miss coach Billy Brewer.

Joe DeForest: The Oklahoma State associate head coach/special teams coordinator annually is lauded as one of the nation’s top recruiters.

Phillip Fulmer: The ex-Tennessee coach said he wants to coach again, but he also has said he only wants to work somewhere that he can win.

Gus Malzahn: Back in 2005, Malzahn was head coach of Springdale (Ark.) High School. Now, the Auburn offensive coordinator is coveted. His offense has been prolific at Arkansas, Tulsa and Auburn.

Jim McElwain: He’s done good work in two seasons as Alabama’s offensive coordinator.

Rick Stockstill: He has made Middle Tennessee State one of the top Sun Belt programs. Stockstill is a persuasive recruiter and coach who is ready for the next challenge.

Charlie Strong: The standout Florida defensive coordinator seems destined to land a top job at some point. If Strong doesn’t earn this job, he could be a candidate at Central Florida if that post opens.

Tommy Tuberville: The former Auburn head coach led the Tigers to some success for 10 years before losing his job after last season.

– Rivals

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