Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby has talked with all the
Cardinal assistant coaches since Jim Harbaugh took the 49ers’ job,
but he wouldn’t say much about the coaching search that might now
include Boise State’s Chris Petersen.
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SAN JOSE
Stanford athletic director Bob Bowlsby has talked with all the Cardinal assistant coaches since Jim Harbaugh took the 49ers’ job, but he wouldn’t say much about the coaching search that might now include Boise State’s Chris Petersen.
Bowlsby on Saturday declined to comment when asked about reports that the school is interested in Petersen, who has turned the Broncos into a national power. Citing an unnamed source, ESPN.com reported Saturday night that Stanford has requested permission to interview Petersen. Efforts by the San Jose Mercury News to reach Petersen were unsuccessful.
“I’ve talked to the whole coaching staff a number of times over the last day,” said Bowlsby, who emphasized the talks were not formal interviews.
Stanford officials turned their attention to hiring a football coach after Harbaugh’s long-anticipated departure to the NFL on Friday.
Defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, associate head coach Greg Roman and running-backs coach David Shaw are considered the top in-house candidates. Players have asked the athletic director to hire Shaw, according to senior wide receiver Doug Baldwin.
Fangio, credited with turning around the Cardinal defense, declined to comment when reached Saturday night.
“Things are in flux,” said Fangio, who wants to run his own program after 24 years as an NFL assistant. “So it’s hard to say” what’s happening.
Roman is scheduled to interview at the University of Pittsburgh on Sunday, according to a source familiar with the situation.
Comcast SportsNet, citing a source close to the football program, said Stanford is interested in Petersen, a former UC Davis quarterback. He has a 61-5 record in five seasons at Boise State, which will move to the Mountain West Conference next season.
Stanford president John Hennessy, who participated in a ceremony Saturday at Maples Pavilion to honor women’s basketball coach Tara VanDerveer for her 800th victory, said the school wants to get a new football coach as soon as possible. Stanford has little time to waste, with high school national signing day Feb. 2.
“We’re going to get it done quickly, because obviously it’s important for the team,” Hennessy said. “But getting the right person is the most important thing. We’ll take the time we need.”
Hennessy also declined to discuss any candidates or whether the school already has conducted interviews.
Harbaugh leaves Stanford in good shape after the program had slipped under Buddy Teevens and Walt Harris. The Cardinal finished a historic 12-1 season Monday with a 40-12 victory over Virginia Tech in the Orange Bowl. By Thursday, Heisman Trophy runner-up Andrew Luck announced he will return for his third season at quarterback.
— Safety Wayne Lyons of Dillard High in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., announced his oral commitment to Stanford on Saturday.
— Story by Elliott Almond, San Jose Mercury News
