West Lafayette, Ind. ? Texas Tech has taken the first step in trying to lure away Purdue women’s basketball coach Kristy Curry.

Texas Tech has contacted Purdue athletic director Morgan Burke seeking permission to talk to Curry about its open head-coaching job. Purdue has granted that request, Purdue associate athletic director Jay Cooperider said Tuesday.

“It’s strictly protocol,” Cooperider said. “It was Texas Tech’s AD giving a sign to Burke that he was going to contact Curry.”

No meetings will take place until after the Boilermakers are finished with NCAA Tournament play. The Boilermakers defeated UCLA, 61-54, Tuesday.

“I told the team that we’d talk about that at the end of the season, but that my focus was on them,” Curry said after the game.