Maybe someone to follow throughout this ordeal:
http://www2.kusports.com/weblogs/tal...828-am-a-deep/
11:47 a.m. Update:
I've said this on various radio shows and podcasts but it just hit me that I may not have written it here. Based on what I've been able to gather, here's the way I see the timing of this whole search going.
Because of his past connections with him, as well as Mike Leach's sterling resume, KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger knows exactly what he's got in Leach as a candidate. I believe that's where he sets the bar.
With that in mind, he'll do his due diligence here and make sure that he gets the absolute best hire for Kansas in all areas — fit, finances, feel and fan support, among other things.
I haven't been able to nail down the number yet but it's looking like Zenger will interview between 3-5 other candidates during the next 3-5 days. He'll give each one a fair shake and each one will be seriously considered. He'll then see how closely each candidate comes to reaching the bar set by Leach.
If someone reaches that same level or perhaps even surpasses it, that could very well be the next head coach at Kansas. Depending on who it is — if anyone reaches that level — going that direction could save KU money and eliminate the "risk" that many believe comes with hiring Leach.
If none of the "other candidates" reach that level, then I think Zenger's decision is made for him and Leach is the guy.
I'd expect the interviews to take place throughout the week, possibly even into Sunday and Monday. And then I'd expect that a hire may be made sometime mid-to-late next week.
Again, this is just my read on the situation and it is based off of the information I've gotten from a number of different sources.
Leach is a hot commodity and there are a lot of schools going after him, so if he is the guy Zenger ultimately wants and things get hot elsewhere, the time frame could change quickly and this thing could be over sooner.
As for who the other candidates who will get interviews might be.... that's
the mystery. Mark Stoops and Larry Fedora seem likely, Brent Venables is a possibility and there may even be a name or two who hasn't been talked about much by those following this thing.
Time will tell. Stay tuned..