Coaches of interest

A couple dozen names have been thrown about in connection with the open Utah head coaching job. Here are a look at some of them and why or why not they are possibilities:

NO THANK YOU

Mike Montgomery: Everybody's first favorite took himself out of the running for the job within three days of Giacoletti's resignation.

Larry Krystkowiak: After he was interviewed by Hill, the Bucks quickly fired head coach Terry Stotts and hired Krystkowiak the next day, eliminating any chance of him coming to Utah.

Stew Morrill: Certainly has the credentials but took himself out of consideration the week after the job became open.

LOCAL GUYS

Randy Rahe: Rap on Rahe is that he's only been a head coach for a year and has ties too close to the old staff at Utah.

Tommy Connor: Has been successful at NAIA level and has apparent endorsement of Jon Huntsman Sr., but may have to wait for the next U. coaching go-around.

Jeff Judkins: Perhaps the most popular choice of many Ute faithful, but he would be coming from a women's program and even worse, BYU.

Dick Hunsaker: The man can coach as he showed at Ball State and his year at Utah filling in for Majerus, but he has some baggage from Ball State.

Donnie Daniels: He was a popular assistant for a decade under Rick Majerus, but his 20-65 record as a head coach at Cal Fullerton wouldn't fly, even though he's now an assistant at UCLA.

PRIME CANDIDATE

Jim Boylen: The 41-year-old Michigan State assistant is one of the top up-and-coming assistants in college basketball and seems to have the personality and experience to get the job done and has been interviewed for the job.

POSSIBLY STILL ON THE RADAR

Blaine Taylor: On paper he looks good with strong ties to the West and several successful seasons, but with a good returning team and recruits he may prefer to stay in Virginia.

Jim Christian: His athletic director at Kent State gave Hill permission to interview him, but nothing is known about whether an interview took place.