Harbaugh pursues Iowa State coaching job!

[Psyclone Brian]

Harbaugh pursues Iowa State coaching job


By: TOM SHANAHAN - For the North County Times

SAN DIEGO -- University of San Diego football coach Jim Harbaugh interviewed for the vacant Iowa State head coach position with Iowa State athletic director Jamie Pollard on Friday in Dallas, the Cedar Rapids Gazette reported.

Harbaugh's name had been rumored as a candidate for the Iowa State job immediately following the announcement by Cyclones coach Dan McCarney on Nov. 8 that he had resigned.
Harbaugh left USD's practice on Thursday about 15 minutes early, a player and a member of the team's staff confirmed for the North County Times. Harbaugh didn't explain why he left early, the player said.

Ted Gosen, USD spokesman, said Harbaugh was unavailable for comment Friday and Saturday. Harbaugh remained unavailable for comment following the death Friday morning of legendary Michigan coach Bo Schembechler, for whom Harbaugh played.

Harbaugh released a statement through the university crediting Schembechler as his mentor for his success as an NFL quarterback for 15 years and as a head coach with the Toreros the past three years.

The Toreros are 10-0 and ranked No. 14 among all Division I-AA schools. They hope to learn Sunday that they have been selected as an at-large entry into the NCAA Division I-AA playoffs.

Ky Snyder, USD's athletic director, deferred comment on Harbaugh's candidacy for any jobs to Gosen stating a campuswide policy.

"The university has a policy not to comment on jobs or if schools have contacted our coaches for permission to talk to them," Gosen said.

Jack Bechta, Harbaugh's La Jolla-based agent, also didn't return phone calls.

The paper said Pollard also interviewed Nebraska assistant coach Jay Norvell.

Toreros honored

Three of the 15 USD players honored on the All-Pioneer Football League team are from North County high schools. Named as first-team picks were junior center Jordan Paopao, an El Camino alumnus; senior linebacker Kyson Hawkins, a Fallbrook alum; and safety Chase McBride, a Santa Fe Christian alum.

Junior quarterback Josh Johnson was named the PFL offensive player of the year. In addition, junior defensive end Eric Bakhtiari was named co-defensive player of the year, defensive back Gabe Derricks was the freshman of the year and Harbaugh shared the coach of the year award with Davidson's Tripp Merritt.

Other first-team choices were junior tight end Chris Ramsey, sophomore running back J.T. Rogan, junior offensive lineman Gabe DeAnda and defensive back Josh Brisco.

Second-team picks were wide receiver Wes Doyle, wide receiver Ben Hannula, offensive lineman Spencer Hollison, fullback Jon Polk, defensive lineman Eric Stern and defensive back Patrick O'Neill.