Southern Utah University gymnastics coach Scott Bauman planned to interview early this week for the Utah State University position vacated recently by 31-year coach Ray Corn.

Corn retired May 30, citing health issues from Guilain-Barre Syndrome, which inflames peripheral nerves.

Bauman, who has coached the Thunderbirds for 17 years, said by telephone Sunday that he is aware others have already turned down the USU job, and he is happy at SUU, "but I have to check it out for my family and myself."

Both he and his wife, Stephanie (Green), are USU alums. He was an assistant coach there, and she competed for Corn.

Bauman said he thought he would talk with USU athletic officials today in Logan.

University of Utah assistant Jeff Graba, a former USU assistant, interviewed for the job 10 days ago and turned it down last week, concerned mainly with the budget. "I'm excited to still be at Utah," Graba said.

Bauman said he expects the Aggie budget is larger than his at SUU, but some costs are determined differently, so that's one thing he will investigate.

"I'm very happy where I am," said Bauman, "but you want things to get a little bit better wherever you go. In order for me to uproot my family and end a longtime history at SUU, they'd have to make it a pretty impressive offer, and I don't know if Utah State is in a position to do that."

Tom Farden of Southeast Missouri State was reportedly another candidate for the USU job who turned down an offer. Assistants Danna (Lister) Durante of Nebraska and Todd Henry of North Carolina State also are thought to have been in the Aggie mix.

Utah State athletic director Scott Barnes has not returned calls regarding the coaching search.

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