By Bill Koch
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The University of Cincinnati has acknowledged that its search for a new head football coach includes current Division I-A coaches, former head coaches, coordinators from major Division I-A programs and NFL coordinators.

What school officials didn't say is that their search also extends into Canada.

Former UC quarterback Danny Barrett, the head coach of the Canadian Football League Saskatchewan Rough Riders, has been contacted about the job and told UC officials he's interested, but he hasn't heard anything since then.

"Obviously, they're trying to be very thorough in what they're doing," Barrett told The Regina Leader-Post on Wednesday. "They would like, from what I understand, someone with some head-coaching experience."

Barrett conceded it would be an adjustment for him to return to the college game after so many years in Canada.

"Football is football," he said, "but the recruiting aspect of it is probably the toughest challenge. To go back in and get back into that mode would be a big challenge. I think they understand that."

UC athletic director Bob Goin confirmed that Barrett had been contacted but declined to comment further.

Barrett, 41, just completed an 11-7 season in Saskatchewan, the Rough Riders' best season since 1994, and guided them to their second straight playoff berth.

He has one year remaining on his contract.

He's 30-41-1 with the Rough Riders, losing in the divisional finals this year to Edmonton, which won the Grey Cup.

Barrett played 14 seasons in the CFL and one in the USFL.

He completed 1,656 of 3,078 passes in the CFL for 23,419 yards with 93 interceptions and 133 touchdowns.

He holds the CFL record for passing yardage in a game with 601 in 1993 while playing for the British Columbia Lions.

Barrett, who played at UC from 1979-82, passed for 4,407 yards, sixth on the Bearcats' career list.

He returned to Cincinnati in 1988, six years after completing his eligibility, to earn his management degree.

E-mail bkoch@enquirer.com