December 14, 2004

Ole Miss Interviews "Leading Candidate" Erickson

Despite conflicting reports throughout the weekend and into today regarding the candidacy of San Francisco 49ers head coach Dennis Erickson, Ole Miss officials are flying to the Bay Area to interview him. The (Jackson, MS) Clarion-Ledger has reported that the university received permission to discuss the opening with Erickson and officials are en route tonight to do so.

ESPN had reported over the weekend that Erickson had emerged as a "secret candidate" for the Rebels' top job. However, after a Monday meeting between Erickson and 49ers management, the 49ers released a statement indicating that Erickson would remain as head coach and no employment decisions would be made until after the season ended. The (Memphis, TN) Commercial Appeal reported this morning that Erickson had been "scratched" off the candidate list.

However, Ole Miss Chancellor Robert Khayat has been confirmed to be a hotel guest tonight at a property very near the 49ers training facility in Santa Clara and Athletic Director Pete Boone is said to be joining him there either tonight or tomorrow, per the Clarion-Ledger.

Erickson confirmed speaking with university representatives late yesterday and stated that he is evaluating his options. One assumes that the boys from Oxford are traveling west with a very large checkbook.

Ole Miss fired David Cutcliffe back on December 1 and has been turned down by several candidates in the search for a new head coach.

UPDATE: Erickson, Khayat, and Boone met for two hours tonight at a Bay Area hotel, according to the Associated Press. Reportedly, no job offer was extended, but there is significant mutual interest in a possible hire. The AP indicated that the Ole Miss delegation will fly back home without an agreement--possibly interviewing more candidates in the coming days--but with neither Erickson nor the university backing away from their interest in the other.

Posted by Robert Knodell

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Comments & Trackbacks

1. schmed says:

   posted on December 14, 2004 09:50 PM — link

   What's their hurry? Ole Miss punted their mascot over a year ago and don't seem to miss him enough to get a new one.

   Besides, there won't be another Manning available for years, so what's the point?

2. From Signifying Nothing

   pinged on Dec 15, 2004 4:11 PM

   Fresh off reports that 49ers coach Dennis Erickson was the leading candidate to replace David Cutcliffe, the Clarion-Ledger is now reporting that Erickson has withdrawn his name from consideration, yet school officials still claim they will make a deal...

3. Kevin Donahue says:

   posted on December 15, 2004 05:35 PM — link

   It's now being reported that Miami D-coordinator Randy Shannon and Southern California assistant head coach Ed Orgeron have both interviewed for the position.

4. Robert Knodell says:

   posted on December 15, 2004 05:48 PM — link

   ESPN is now reporting that Orgeron is taking the job. Interesting.

5. Jeff Quinton says:

   posted on December 15, 2004 06:34 PM — link

   The Clarion-Ledger has more on it.

6. From SEC College Football - Fanblogs.com

   pinged on Dec 15, 2004 8:44 PM

   Southern Cal Assistant Head Coach & Recruiting Coordinator Ed Orgeron will be introduced as the new head coach at Ole Miss at 10:00a on Thursday. Oregon has 19 years of coaching expreience at Southern Cal, Syracuse, Miami, Nichols State and Arkansas, a...

7. From SEC College Football - Fanblogs.com

   pinged on Dec 15, 2004 8:45 PM

   Southern Cal Assistant Head Coach & Recruiting Coordinator Ed Orgeron will be introduced as the new head coach at Ole Miss at 10:00a on Thursday. Oregon has 19 years of coaching expreience at Southern Cal, Syracuse, Miami, Nichols State and Arkansas, a...