Sunday, November 26, 2006

Central Michigan's Kelly Is a Wanted Man

Is there a mystery candidate in Iowa State's search for a coach, or is Central Michigan's Brian Kelly still the man for the job? An airplane owned by Iowa State left the Ames airport on Friday night and arrived in Dallas, then returned Saturday night to Des Moines, according to Flight Aware. Speculation is that Cyclone athletic director Jamie Pollard and university president Gregory Geoffroy were on board. Pollard flew to Dallas two weeks ago and interviewed several candidates, including San Diego coach Jim Harbaugh and Nebraska assistant Jay Norvell, who have since been scratched from the list. Central Michigan athletic director David Heeke also said he had granted Iowa State permission to talk to Kelly, which solidifies our Friday report that also stated Kelly was to meet Saturday with Geoffroy. Kelly, when contacted by the Des Moines Register's Randy Peterson, declined to discuss his whereabouts late Friday or Saturday. Kelly also is on Michigan State's short list, and officials in East Lansing are expected to select a coach as early as Monday. The Detroit News reports that Miami Dolphin assistant Charlie Baggett also is in the running for the job.
Update: Michigan State fans are tracking a leased jet that left Lansing on Saturday and landed in Baton Rouge (Bo Pelini?) and Cincinnati (Mark Dantonio?) ... Thanks to J for this.
Update II: Iowa State will announce its coach on Monday.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Wiz,
You cover ISU athletics as well as anyone. From all Cyclone fans, thanks!