Another Rebels hopeful

Steve Guiremand

Friday, Dec. 3, 2004 | 9:23 a.m.

Don't hand that UNLV head football coaching job to Utah offensive coordinator Mike Sanford or Purdue's Jim Chaney quite yet.

According to a report Thursday on KLAS-TV, Bowling Green head coach Gregg Brandon has expressed an interest in the position and is scheduled to meet with Rebels athletic director Mike Hamrick today.

The report said that Brandon, who replaced Urban Meyer as head coach of the Falcons two years ago, was registered at a local hotel.

Hamrick has said he will not comment publicly on potential candidates for the job.

Bowling Green finished 8-3 in the MAC this year but ranked second nationally in pass offense (335.6), fourth in total offense (501.6) and scoring offense (43.6) and fifth in passing efficiency (165.9). Sophomore quarterback Omar Jacobs leads the nation in touchdown passes with 36 and has thrown just three interceptions.

One potential major sticking point for Brandon is a buyout clause in his contract that reportedly is in the $500,000 range.

Sanford, who returned to Salt Lake City on Thursday after spending Wednesday on campus with Hamrick and school president Carol Harter, has expressed strong interest in the position, as has Chaney.

The Rebels are expected to pick their new coach next week.