Minnesota Job Search (Gophers Not Vikings). Has Phil Fulmer Thrown His Hat In The Gopher Ring?

The power brokers at the University of Minnesota believe the Gopher football program is a diamond in the rough. Millions of dollars have been spent on new facilities and a brand spankin' new stadium. Now that Tim Brewster has been let go as head coach a new leader is being sought. Deep pocketed boosters want a big name with credentials and seem to be willing to spend whatever it takes to get their guy.

They went after Gopher alum Tony Dungy but he likes his TV gig. Who's in the Minnesota cross hairs? One name has caught our attention in the OSG HQ.

That would be former Tennessee head coach Phil Fulmer. According to an OSG source Fulmer has wanted to get back into the coaching arena and is looking for the right opportunity. Does Minnesota qualify?

“Minnesota has great potential, and with its new facilities it’s a place you could recruit to,’’ Fulmer told the Knoxville News Sentinel. “I believe it’s a place where you can compete.’’

Interesting.

Here's who is reportedly on the Gophers list:

Kevin Sumlin - University of Houston head coach: Sumlin was an assistant at Minnesota and has been very successful leading the Cougars. That would not be a bad hire.

Jeff Jagodzinski- Omaha Nighthawks (UFL) head coach: The Minneapolis/St. Paul media would love him, having dealt with Jags in the past he was great to get to know. Though successful at Boston College in ended badly clashing with B-C's athletic director. Still not a bad hire.

Jim Harbaugh - Stanford head coach: Can't see that happening. If Harbaugh goes back to the Big 10 its to his alma mater Michigan.

Chris Petersen - Boise State head coach: Good luck. Petersen has a great gig at Boise State. Minnesota might pay him better but is it worth it to Petersen.

Dan Mullen - Mississippi State head coach: Mullen can only take Mississippi State so far in the SEC. The Minnesota gig might be appealing because at least he might get the program to compete for championships in the Big 10. That will never happen in Starkville.

Ken Niumatalolo - Navy head coach: I'm sure Minnesota's athletic administration has seen how Paul Johnson's offense has been successful in the ACC since leaving Navy for Georgia Tech. Their would be a risk but Niumatalolo has kept the Navy program in smooth water since getting the head coaching gig.

Leslie Frazier - Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator: Reportedly interested in the gig. Frazier has been interviewed a few times for NFL head coaching jobs but hasn't landed the job. This might be that opportunity Frazier is looking for. Reportedly Tony Dungy has endorsed Frazier.

Marc Trestman - Montreal (CFL) head coach: Trestman has been very successful coaching football in Canada. Stay in the Great White North.

DeWayne Walker - New Mexico State head coach: No comment.

Al Golden - Temple head coach: We like Golden. Anyone that can make Temple football relevant has to considered for a Big 10 job. Golden might not bite though as he has been rumored as a possible successor to Joe Paterno at Penn State.

Minnesota photo courtesy: Marlin Levison/Minneapolis Star Tribune

Phil Fulmer photo courtesy: AP

Vols Friday Afternoon Update: Kippy And Dooley, Maybe Sumlin...

((HT: govolsxtra/Hooker, ESPN))

It looks like we're back down to two coaches- maybe three depending on who you believe at press time...

Kippy Brown, Derek Dooley, and Kevin Sumlin...

ESPN's Mark Schlabach has added Sumlin to the mix this afternoon in a conversation he had with John Buccigross...


Dave Hooker adds that Kippy Brown was interviewed Friday afternoon. It was scheduled for a 1PM meeting with Vols AD Mike Hamilton. Whether or not the meeting went off on time is uncertain...

Chris Low is now in on the fray...

Low reports that Temple's Al Golden and Sumlin interviewed in Atlanta Thursday along with Derek Dooley. Hamilton and UT's most influential booster, Jim Haslam, reportedly flew to Ruston, Louisiana to try and seal the deal...

OSG Sports has attempted to track any and all flights leaving McGhee Tyson-Knoxville and nothing registers to the Ruston or Shreveport airports for this afternoon...

More when we know more...

The Circus Has Begun In Gainesville, Fla.

Sporting News radio is reporting Sunday morning that Stanford head coach Jim Harbaugh will be interviewed by Florida for their head coaching job. Harbaugh just signed a new deal with Stanford for what that is worth. Harbaugh won at Stanford, just think what he might do at a place like Florida.

Here's a coach Jeremy Foley should interview, Kevin Sumlin. Look at what he did at the University of Houston. That is a near impossible place to win consistently and he has done that. Sumlin's offenses have been some of the best in the country plus he would be a hell of a recruiter for the Gators. Heck they might be able to get some players from Texas.

Photo Courtesy: AP

AFTERNOON DELIGHT: Mark Schlabach from the four-letter maintains that Corch Meyers may be getting cold feet before his 4PM EDT press conference.

Meyer would now coach in the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati, as previously announced, and then OC Steve Adazzio will take over the Gators and will coach until Meyer is ready to return...

More, obviously, after 4PM EDT...

TWTW: East Carolina Gets C-USA Crown Over Houston

"You didn't have to go for it right there..."

Yup, Ron Franklin had it right...

What Case Keenum was doing throwing with that much time on the clock for the, possible, game-winner is beyond a lot of us...

Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin is, really, the only one who knows the answer on that one... Travis Simmons tips the football to Van Eskridge for the rally-stopper and the Pirates win 38-32 over the Cougars in Greenville, North Carolina...

East Carolina heads to the Liberty Bowl where they play, probably, Arkansas. It's anyone's guess where Houston is going...

Here's the ending, thanks to our friends at ABC/ESPN/Conference USA

TWTW: Houston Pulls Out Win At Tulsa

((HT: KJRH-TV/Tulsa))

Matt Hogan's career-best 51-yard field goal as time expired capped a dramatic comeback and lifted 13th-ranked Houston over Tulsa, 46-45, at Chapman Stadium.

Charles Clay's one-yard plunge with 3:28 left in regulation provided Tulsa a 45-37 cushion, but Houston mounted one last charge, getting to the Tulsa two with 1:24 left after Bryce Beall's 13-yard run. Beall gained one yard on two consecutive rushes, then Keenum found James Cleveland for a one-yard TD pass to make it 45-43 with 21 seconds left.

The conversion failed, however, when Keenum was sacked as he tried to roll out to the right.

Tim Monroe was able to come up with the onsides kick after a Tulsa player mishandled the ball, and Houston was set up on its own 39. Keenum connected with Cleveland for 14 yards on the second play of the drive, then hit Tyron Carrier for 13 yards with three seconds to go.

Hogan lined up for the 51-yard attempt and was true to end the contest.

"As long as there is time on the clock, you have to try and win the game," Houston head coach Kevin Sumlin said. "You can't panic. Our coaching staff did a great job of not panicking and our kids did a good job of handling the situation."

Keenum finished 40-of-60 for 522 yards and three touchdowns for the Cougars (8-1, 4-1 C-USA), who won their fifth straight contest.

Here's your highlights from NBC2 in Tulsa and okblitz.com