Friday, Nov. 21, 2008

Clemson interviews 4th coach

A fourth candidate reportedly has surfaced in Clemson’s coaching search.

Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley interviewed for the Tigers’ vacancy, according to a report by TigerIllustrated.com.

Locksley also has been linked as a candidate for the Syracuse opening. The 38-year-old was contacted for West Virginia’s job a year ago and summarily received a raise to $500,000.

Clemson also is thought to be interested in meeting with Air Force coach Troy Calhoun, a former Wake Forest offensive coordinator and disciple of Fisher DeBerry, a source said.

An interview could take place as early as next week. Air Force’s regular season ends Saturday.

Locksley joins Virginia Tech defensive coordinator Bud Foster, Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables and former Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin among the reported interviewees.

Locksley is believed to have been the candidate who met with Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips in Detroit on Nov. 7. Illinois played Western Michigan in Detroit the next day.

Multiple media outlets, including The State, had reported the Kiffin interview to have taken place there, citing a source close to Kiffin. Kiffin has interviewed with Clemson, multiple sources have since confirmed, but Detroit was not the location.

— Paul Strelow

Get The State newspaper delivered to your home. Click here to subscribe.