By Denny O'Brien
©2010 Bonesville.net
All Rights Reserved.

There were no surprises when East Carolina athletics director Terry Holland met with members of the media yesterday. No rabbits were pulled from a hat, and no new coach was named.

But Holland did reveal some of the criteria that he will be seeking in a replacement for departed coach Skip Holtz. The most important detail mentioned was the desire for Holtz’s successor to have previous head coaching experience.

"Our preference, just like always, will be to find a head coach with experience,” Holland said. "Mainly, when I look at a head coach, I think in terms of managing and hiring a staff. I do think that's a big part of what a head coach has to do today.

“The head coach has to do a heck of a job with his staff. That is a big part of the job, but the head coach also has to help sell season tickets. We have a stadium expansion, so we're going to need to sell extra season tickets now. The head coach also helps with fundraising and everything in the community.”

Holland has not mentioned any candidates on his wish list, but he did indicate that members of Holtz’s staff would be given the opportunity to pursue the opening if they desire. He plans to have discussions with staff members individually tomorrow, with other members of the ECU administration present during those meetings.

Holland also did not confirm specific coaches who might have expressed interest externally. That said, there are at least three candidates who have been reported to have some level of interest in the job so far.

According to some sources, former Boston College head coach Jeff Jagodzinski began inquiring about a potential opening back when Holtz’s name was linked to Kansas and Cincinnati. A former Pirates assistant under Steve Logan, Jagodzinski is currently unemployed after getting fired from his post as offensive coordinator with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers over the summer.

Jagodzinski spent two years at BC before getting fired for interviewing for the New York Jets opening that was filled by Rex Ryan.

Sources in Greenville also indicate that Middle Tennessee Coach Rick Stockstill has an interest in the job. Widely considered one of the best recruiters in the Southeast, he has compiled a 27-23 record at Middle Tennessee, including a 10-3 effort this season that was capped by a victory over Southern Miss in the New Orleans Bowl.

Stockstill was the offensive coordinator at ECU for one season, which was sandwiched between a long stint at Clemson and a short one at South Carolina.

The latest name to surface as showing potential interest is Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster. He told the Newport News Daily Press that “it'd have to be something really good” to lure him to Greenville.

While those candidates might have some degree of interest in the job, it is not clear whether or not that interest might is mutual.

One candidate in which many speculate Holland does have interest is Temple Coach Al Golden, but it is not known if he has been contacted.

When contacted Friday night, Temple Associate Director of Athletics Communications Cathy Bongiovi said that the school does not comment on coaching searches.

Golden had two separate stints on the University of Virginia staff while Holland was the AD there. He served as a graduate assistant under George Welsh from 1994-96 and then as defensive coordinator under Al Groh from 2001-2005.

Holland and Golden are said to have a very good relationship.