Holtz addresses North Carolina opening

Posted Nov 21, 2011 by Adam Adkins

Updated Nov 21, 2011 at 03:54 PM

University of South Florida football coach Skip Holtz on Monday addressed being regarded as a potential candidate for the head coaching position at North Carolina, which gained some steam recently after Yahoo! Sports reporter Charles Robinson posted on Twitter that UNC was “locking onto” Holtz to become the program’s next head coach.

“I have not talked to anybody. It is this time of year when speculation goes on everywhere, who’s going to take what job. I have not talked to anybody about the North Carolina job,” Holtz said. “I’ve got my head in my dungeon here trying to do what we have to do to find a way to win. I think we have that obligation to this senior class and to the underclassmen as we’re trying to build the program. I’m excited about what we’re building here, I’m excited about the progress we’re making, I’m excited about the team I’m coaching here, but I have not talked to anybody at North Carolina about the North Carolina job.”

Holtz has a relationship with Tar Heels athletic director Bubba Cunningham dating back to when both were students at Notre Dame, but at least to this point it doesn’t appear the two have spoken about the position. USF athletic director Doug Woolard said Tuesday that he has not been contacted by anyone requesting permission to speak to Holtz, who is in the second year of a five-year contract with USF, about another job.

As far as what the future may hold, when asked whether he would listen if another university approached him about an opportunity, Holtz didn’t come out and say that he wouldn’t but was clear on what his focus is right now.

“I’m not looking to go interview all over the country,” Holtz said. “I was offered a couple jobs last year. It’s not a fanfare thing, it’s not an advertisting thing. It’s flattering that your name’s mentioned, but I have a great job. I have one that I chose to be here two years ago. This was a choice I made. It’s where I want to be, it’s what we’re trying to build here, and it’s what we’re trying to develop here, and right now I’m going to do everything I can to find a way to get these last two wins. That’s what my focus is, that’s what my concentration is, that’s where my efforts are going right now.”