The Ole Miss defensive coordinator job has been open for two weeks now, and sources indicated the search is narrowing on two candidates.
Mike MacIntyre has participated in ongoing conversations about the job, sources said. The former San Jose State and Colorado head coach has defensive coordinator experience at a number of schools, and was David Cutcliffe's defensive coordinator at Duke before taking the San Jose State job in 2010. He also worked alongside Rebels head coach Matt Luke previously; MacIntyre was Ole Miss' wide receivers and defensive backs coach from 1999-02, when Luke was a GA and later the offensive line and tight ends coach on Cutcliffe's staff.
MacIntyre could also be a budget option for Ole Miss; he's owed a $10.3 million buyout from CU, but that amount is subject to offset, meaning MacIntyre has little incentive to demand top dollar from Ole Miss. [See Update at bottom]
Sources also said Alabama co-defensive coordinator Pete Golding could factor back into the search. Golding was originally thought to have passed on the opportunity, but that door could have re-opened of late. Golding played college football and previously coached at nearby Delta State, and his wife is a Mississippi native. Sources tell FootballScoop family considerations have opened the door to this being a possibility. Nick Saban would very much like to keep Golding we are told and could do a lot to influence Golding's decision.
In addition to Mac and Golding, Matt Luke has discussed the position with a number of other candidates; but at this time it feels as if one of these two is likely to be offered the job. We hear this one could play out very soon....
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.
Update> Mike MacIntyre has now been offered and accepted the position reports Chase Parham who covers the Rebels.
SuperTalk Mississippi is reporting Mac's deal is 3 years, $1.5 million per year. But, why??? Whatever Mac gets is simply a deduct from what Colorado would have had to pay him. Why would Ole Miss lean heavy here?
Upon further review.... we are told MacIntyre's contract with Colorado is only subject to offset if he were to have been hired as a head coach in college or as an assistant or head coach in the league. Thus, this is all his money. Hey, good for him.