KU football coaching search moving at smooth pace

KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger leaves the field after the Jayhawks 51-13 loss to the Kansas State Wildcats Nov. 29. 2014.

The search to find the next Kansas University football coach is moving at a smooth pace, according to a source with knowledge of the goings on of the past few days. And it appears that KU athletic director Sheahon Zenger and his search committee, which includes special consultant Chuck Neinas, could be ready to make a hire by next week.

Through various sources, the Journal-World has learned that former Kansas interim coach and longtime KU defensive coordinator Clint Bowen, former Nebraska offensive coordinator Tim Beck, Texas A&M recruiting coordinator and receivers coach David Beaty and Ohio State offensive line coach and co-offensive coordinator Ed Warinner all were interviewed by telephone this week by Zenger and members of the committee.

Several others — both assistants and head coaches — expressed interest in the job at one point or another during the past several days, and at least a few of them also conducted phone interviews with representatives from KU.

Sources confirmed that no offer had been made to any of the coaches KU had talked to, and one source said phone interviews may extend through Friday, clearing the way for in-person interviews to take place next week.

It is not yet known where the face-to-face interviews will be conducted, but the Journal-World learned that somewhere in Lawrence or the surrounding area seemed to be the preference of the committee.

Both Beaty and Bowen were known to be on the road recruiting for their current schools on Thursday. Warinner, meanwhile, was busy preparing for this weekend’s Big Ten championship game against Wisconsin. As for Beck, he appears to be busy exploring his options after being a part of the Bo Pelini staff that was let go by Nebraska earlier this week.

For the latest on the coaching search, including updates, candidate profiles, tidbits that might impact Kansas and any breaking news, stay logged on to KUsports.com on Friday and throughout the upcoming weekend.

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