Rick Stockstill turns down ECU

Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill has decided to pass on an offer to become next coach at East Carolina and will remain at the school. The timing of the opening, so close to national signing day, played a role in the decision, Stockstill said in a statement released by Middle Tennessee. – ESPN.com

Five Hot Names

Five under-the-radar coaches who may be poised to land big raises or better jobs, or both… 1. Jim Harbaugh, Stanford. The third-year Cardinal head coach decided to go for two last week when Stanford took a 48-21 lead over USC with 6:47 left (the try failed). He insists it wasn’t a jab at Pete Carroll, but we really don’t mind if it was… 2. Ken Niumatalolo, Navy. After finishing 8-5 last year in his first season at Navy, Niumatalolo has the Midshipmen 8-3, including wins against Notre Dame and Wake Forest. He’s a loyal disciple of triple-option wizard Paul Johnson… 3. Al Golden, Temple. A few years ago, there was a movement at Temple to drop football. This year, Temple is 8-2, and the 40-year-old Golden is regarded as one of the nation’s hottest up-and-coming head coaches… 4. June Jones, SMU. The 56-year-old former NFL head coach is orchestrating a stunning turnaround. After finishing 1-11 last season, including 0-8 in Conference USA, the Mustangs are 6-4 and on track for their first bowl bid since 1984… 5. Rick Stockstill, Middle Tennessee. If the Blue Raiders (7-3, 5-1 Sun Belt) win their last two games, they would finish the regular season with the most triumphs since going 10-3 in 1992 under Boots Donnelly. – Husker Extra

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Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill has withdrawn his name from the Memphis coaching search and will remain at Middle Tennessee.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

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