Rate of Unemployment Remains High

Because we care, here is the latest on the coaching openings:

Arkansas: Good luck, Razorback fans. First, Tommy Tuberville's name is being tossed about. Consider that Texas A&M just took a look at Tuberville's $6 million buyout clause and said no, so the chances of Tuberville becoming Arkansas' coach are slim and none with none being a heavy favorite. Oakland Raider coach Lane Kiffin is also being mentioned. "That's news to me," Kiffin said. And consider that Kiffin signed a three-year contract in January and would need to persuade Raiders owner Al Davis to let him out of the remaining two years. In other words, no chance in hell.

Georgia Tech: A lengthy list at this point, with Auburn defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher, former Auburn coach Terry Bowden and Tennessee offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe among those mentioned. Still in the development stage.

Michigan: Louisiana State's Les Miles will talk with the Wolverines, but not until after Saturday's Southeastern Conference title game. Miles' agent George Bass flew from Dallas to Baton Rouge on Wednesday to discuss enhancements and pay increases to Miles' contract with LSU chancellor Sean O'Keefe. It's clear LSU is not going to let Miles leave without first offering him a bundle of money. In an interesting sidenote, ESPN analyst and former NFL and Ohio State linebacker Chris Spielman said he would select Iowa's Kirk Ferentz over "questionable" call-maker Miles.

Nebraska: Buffalo's Turner Gill and Louisiana State defensive coordinator Bo Pelini have interviewed. Wake Forest's Jim Grobe is also believed to have interviewed. But the ability to track the Cessna Citation CJ3 used by Tom Osborne on Sunday and Monday has been lost. Richard Robinson, the Cornhusker booster who owns the aircraft, paid a fee to have it removed from flight-tracking websites.

Southern Methodist: Rick Neuheisel, the Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator and former Colorado and Washington coach, said he had been contacted indirectly about the job. Officials have raised an estimated $10 million in order to lure a top-flight coach.

Southern Mississippi: South Carolina defensive coordinator Tyrone Nix is scheduled to interview this week with his alma mater about replacing Jeff Bower.

Washington State: Texas El Paso's Mike Price has been contacted about the job. Also expressing interest are John L. Smith, the former Michigan State, Louisville, Utah State and Idaho coach, Eastern Washington's Paul Wulff, whose I-AA Eagles play Appalachian State in the national quarterfinals this week, and California defensive coordinator Bob Gregory. Here is an interesting piece on Price and his possible interest/motivation in returning to Pullman.