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

Virginia Tech’s Bud Foster expresses interest in opening at Memphis

Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster said he would be interested in the head coaching opening at Memphis, but he has not been contacted by anyone from the university and his name has not surfaced in published reports about possible candidates. “That might be a job I might be interested in,” Foster said Tuesday night when asked for his take on the opening, adding later, “I think there’s a lot of things that are attractive about it.” Asked what would be attractive about the program, Foster said: “It’s a Conference USA job. You look at teams like Cincinnati, you look at teams like Pittsburgh, you look at teams like Louisville — those three have recently had success that are in urban kind of settings. Memphis is in that same kind of setting and in a pretty decent area from a recruiting standpoint, when you start looking at the athletes they have in that area.” – Washington Post

The Name Game: Tub in Line at Clemson?

“The Name Game” at Football Rumor Mill focuses on active coaching searches around the country. The latest edition centers on the Clemson Tigers…

Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp will be a main contender for the job at Clemson. Interviews could start at any time in a search that’s being led by Carr Sports Associates, which is headed by former Florida athletic director Bill Carr. Muschamp also likely will be a contender at Auburn if a coaching change is made there. And in a twist, don’t be surprised if Auburn coach Tommy Tuberville becomes a top target if he’s out on the Plains. In addition to Muschamp, expect Clemson – which could pay up to $2.5 million per year to its new coach – also to give hard looks to Tulsa’s Todd Graham, Vanderbilt’s Bobby Johnson and TCU’s Gary Patterson. Interim coach Dabo Swinney could claim the post if he finishes with a flourish. He is a favorite of Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips, but there may be too much pressure on Phillips to bring in someone from the outside. It looks as if Lane Kiffin is a remote possibility. – Rivals.com

The time may be right for Bud Foster finally to leave Frank Beamer’s side. Foster has done all he can, forging a rep as the best defensive coordinator in his 22 seasons at Virginia Tech. If you connect the dots, a Foster-Clemson marriage makes perfect sense. Foster is an intense and passionate coach who knows how to build and operate a big-time program. And he is well-connected in ACC recruiting circles. – Rivals.com