Enquirer news services

LOUISVILLE - University of Kentucky athletic director Mitch Barnhart said Saturday he is in the "paring-down" stage of hiring a football coach, but he hasn't offered the vacancy to anyone.

"We're not there yet," Barnhart said just before the Indiana-UK basketball game at Freedom Hall. "We've had some great conversations with a lot of people. I've had a lot of 'what if?' conversations, but nothing where I said, 'Hey, this is it.'"

Barnhart said he's between 200 and 300 suggestions for whom he should pursue to succeed Guy Morriss, who resigned Dec. 9 to become Baylor's coach.

A broadcast report Saturday linked Mississippi coach David Cutcliffe with the Kentucky job. Barnhart said he talked to Cutcliffe "a few days ago," but no deal had been reached.

Cutcliffe said in a release Saturday that he met with Barnhart, whom he described as a longtime friend, but "I am happy to be at the University of Mississippi and have not entertained any thoughts of leaving."

LOUISVILLE: Athletic director Tom Jurich is considering at least three candidates to succeed John L. Smith as the Cardinals' football coach.

Jurich told The Louisville Courier-Journal he received permission to contact Auburn offensive coordinator Bob Petrino, Central Florida coach Mike Kruczek and South Carolina defensive coordinator Charlie Strong.

Jurich also has spoken with Minnesota Vikings offensive coordinator Scott Linehan, a former Smith assistant at Louisville.

OTTERBEIN: Joe Loth, a 35-year-old Cardinals alumnus known for rebuilding programs, accepted the Division III school's coaching job.

WEST VIRGINIA: Head coach Rich Rodriguez signed a seven-year contract extension after leading the Mountaineers to a 9-3 record and a Continental Tire Bowl berth.

Rodriguez, a West Virginia graduate in his second year as coach, will earn at least $700,000 next season. His salary will increase every year during the contract, which runs through 2009.