A Deal With Holtz Appears Close

Posted Jan 14, 2010 by Scott Carter

Updated Jan 14, 2010 at 11:07 AM

Here is an updated story I just filed to TBO.com this morning:

By SCOTT CARTER
The Tampa Tribune

TAMPA – The University of South Florida’s search for its next head football coach could end today if a deal with East Carolina’s Skip Holtz can be finalized.

Holtz was contacted by USF athletic director Doug Woolard about the job Sunday and he interviewed with USF officials Tuesday in Orlando.

A source close to East Carolina told the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer on Wednesday night that a deal between Holtz and USF was close but not done yet. “But they’re moving in that direction,’’ the source said.

As of this morning, Holtz had not met with his East Carolina players about his future. Holtz is the son of former Notre Dame coach Lou Holtz. In five seasons at East Carolina, Holtz has a 38-27 record and has led the Pirates to back-to-back Conference USA titles.

If a deal can be reached, a press conference is expected in Tampa on Friday and Holtz would be formally introduced to fans and boosters at USF’s basketball game Saturday at the Sun Dome against Rutgers.

On Tuesday in Orlando at the American Football Coaches Association national convention, Holtz said the USF job was appealing for many reasons.

“Obviously, there is interest from the standpoint of the league that they play in, the Big East,’’ he said. “My parents live here in Orlando, and my wife is from Port Charlotte. We would have four grandparents right here. There are a lot of positives to it. I think it’s definitely an up-and-coming program.’’

USF also interviewed Michigan offensive coordinator Calvin Magee, and Bucs pro personnel director Doug Williams earlier this week in Orlando. Others mentioned as potential candidates: former Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer, Bucs special teams coach Rich Bisaccia, Middle Tennessee State’s Rick Stockstill and former Clemson coach Tommy Bowden. Miami offensive coordinator Mark Whipple’s name surfaced late Wednesday, although it’s uncertain if USF officials have contacted him about the job.

All signs point to a deal possibly being completed with the 45-year-old Holtz by the end of today.

When Holtz took over the program in December 2004, the Pirates had lost 22 of their past 25 games and had just one Conference USA win over that span. The Pirates have four winning seasons in five years under Holtz.

Holtz signed a contract extension in 2008 that runs through 2013 and has a modest $100,000 buyout clause. Holtz’s base salary is $655,000 for 2010, but he has several bonus incentives that pushed his annual salary over $1.25 million in 2009.

Woolard is not commenting on USF’s search until he is ready to name a new coach to replace Leavitt, who was fired Friday after 13 seasons.