Coker in the Mix at Southern Methodist

Larry Coker, who was fired from Miami after the 2006 season despite a 60-15 record in six seasons at the helm, is reportedly a candidate to become coach at Southern Methodist, a job that has been open for eight weeks.

Coker, 59, has been an analyst for ESPNU since his firing. ESPN's "College Football Live" first reported that Coker had interviewed for the job.

SMU athletic director Steve Orsini declined comment when contacted by the Dallas Morning News.

In other coaching-related news:

Michigan: Lloyd Carr, the man who did his best to keep Les Miles from getting the job, gave his blessing to the hiring of Rich Rodriguez. "His teams are going to run the football as well as anybody. I think Bo would like what he's going to do."

What does Michigan State's Mark Dantonio, who had his highly publicized "pride comes before the fall" warning, think of the hire? Dantonio told the Detroit News: "As far as my reaction to that job, we are Michigan State. So that's my reaction."

Meanwhile, Miles was getting a good laugh out of the developments, cracking jokes and saying he's not interested in the West Virginia job.

With Michigan now having hired West Virginia's football and basketball coaches in the past year, what's next? Mike Casazza of the Charleston Daily Mail reports the Wolverines, in the market for a women's soccer coach, have already interviewed West Virginia's Nikki Izzo-Brown.

West Virginia: The Patriot-News reports that Penn State defensive coordinator Tom Bradley has been contacted by an intermediary at West Virginia. Other names being tossed about include Florida associate head coach John "Doc" Holliday, former Auburn coach Terry Bowden, Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster and — possibly — Florida State offensive coordinator Jimbo Fisher. The blog Cakes Rocks the Party does a nice job of breaking down all of the possible candidates, including Tulsa's Todd Graham.

Thanks to Kevin of We Are Penn State.