RELATED STORIES

• UNM Men's Basketball: Lobos enlist search firm to find next coach
• Richard Stevens: Out with McKay, in with the new

Related Links

• No harm, no Fowler Blog

More LoboZone

• Richard Stevens: Faces I'll remember are the smallest ones
• Michael Garcia: Here's to you, athletes, coaches and friends. These memories - and lessons - will last forever.
• Tribune sports: Five faves

MOST RECENT TRIB STORIES

• ABQTrib.com to remain available
  08:48 a.m., February 25, 2008
• Congressman is indicted
  08:37 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Series of attacks target Green Zone
  08:36 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Iran is defying U.N., agency says
  08:35 a.m., February 23, 2008
• Waterboarding approval probed
  08:34 a.m., February 23, 2008

TRIB IN THE BLOGOSPHERE*

• Ty Murray Invitational thrills fans in Albuquerque
• Is Rome Burning?
• Ominous Skies
• The Road to Invalidation
• Albuquerque company participates in “Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”

*Note: The Tribune does not create and is not responsible for the blogosphere's headlines and stories. These links to blogs talking about ABQTrib.com are automatically generated. Use them at your own risk.

STORY TOOLS

• E-mail story
• Comments
• iPod friendly
• Printer friendly

SHARE THIS STORY [?]

A possible big-name candidate for the University of New Mexico men's basketball coaching job is keeping his future plans to himself.

Former Utah coach Rick Majerus, one of The Pit's favorite targets, on Monday said he's not going to comment on his interest in any coaching vacancies.

UNM is conducting a search to find a replacement for Ritchie McKay, whose contract will be terminated after the season.

Majerus, when asked Monday whether he sees himself coaching in the near future, told The Tribune: "I don't know. We're just going to have to see."

Majerus, who has had various health issues during his coaching career, guided the Utes to two trips to the Final Four in his tenure from 1989 to 2004.

"I'm flattered by any interest from New Mexico fans, but I'm just not going to comment to anybody about jobs," he said.

Majerus, 59, is currently a broadcast analyst for ESPN.

Sandy Montag of IMG Sports, Majerus' agent, said finding his client a coaching job is "not something we're actively pursuing."

"You never say never, but at this time he's happy in the broadcasting world," Montag said.

One thing Majerus has no problem addressing is his appreciation for Lobos fans and Albuquerque.

Majerus has been vocal about Albuquerque, how he'll never forget when Royce Olney mugged Utah guard Andre Miller with seconds left to lead the Lobos to a big win in 1999.

He speaks fondly of green chile and The Pit.

"I've been a Lobo fan throughout the years," Majerus said. "I never had anything but kindness from those fans. They know ball. They know the game. Sometimes fans would dress up like me with a big red sweater, but that was part of the deal."

If UNM Athletics Director Paul Krebs wants to contact Majerus, he better do it by phone.

Majerus said he doesn't have a computer.

"I hate e-mails," Majerus said. "I don't write them. I take about 60 calls a day, so that's what I do."

A visit to Albuquerque is in the works for Majerus, whose niece is interested in the UNM Law School. He'll give her the tour.

The Lobos, meanwhile, will conduct a coaching search that could involve high-profile names and up-and-comers, incoming UNM President David Schmidly said.

Schmidly, currently with Oklahoma State University, starts at UNM in June. He hired legendary men's basketball coach Bobby Knight at Texas Tech. Krebs snagged a then up-and-coming football coach Urban Meyer while the Bowling Green AD. Meyer went on to coach at Utah before moving to Florida, where he guided the Gators to this year's national title.

That said, the list of UNM finalists could carry some significant stature, Schmidly said.

"Maybe together we can help recruit another one of those big names," Schmidly said. "We're looking at long-term interest."

The process led by Krebs could be anything from a conventional method of hiring, said Janna Blais, an associate athletics director with Bowling Green who worked under Krebs.

"The difference with Paul is he's really not afraid to take chances," Blais said. "But he does his homework to find out. He's not going to throw a dart at a board and say, `Oh, I'll take him.' If he takes a risk, he'll look for someone really poised to make great things happen."

Shut out: It's tough to get a coach to talk jobs while the season is still playing out - especially in the Missouri Valley Conference.

The office assistant of Wichita State coach Mark Turgeon said the seventh-year Shockers coach won't address any consideration for the New Mexico job until season's end.

Toby Baldwin, attorney for Missouri State coach Barry Hinson, said the same.

Turgeon guided the Shockers to NCAA Tournament appearances in 2005 and 2006, including the Sweet 16 last season.