Potential candidates to be WSU's next football coach

For the first time since March 1989, when Washington State hired Mike Price from Weber State to replace Dennis Erickson, the Cougars are hunting for a new football coach (when Price left in 2002, he was immediately replaced by Bill Doba).

Price led the Cougars to two Rose Bowls. WSU would probably take that from Doba's successor, who might come from this list:

Mike Price, Texas-El Paso: If the 61-year-old Price — 25-23 in four years at UTEP — doesn't want to be mentioned, he isn't making it known, failing to return calls.

John L. Smith, St. Louis Rams scout: Smith, 59, was Erickson's defensive coordinator at WSU in 1987-88, and went on to head jobs at Idaho, Utah State, Louisville and Michigan State, where he was fired after a four-year, 22-26 record. A former aide says Smith "would love to have another chance."

Bob Gregory, California defensive coordinator: Gregory, a 44-year-old Gonzaga Prep and WSU grad, is almost certain to get a long look if he wants it.

Bobby Hauck, Montana: A former aide to Rick Neuheisel at Washington, Hauck is 52-14 in five seasons with the Grizzlies and has expressed interest.

Paul Wulff, Eastern Washington: Wulff, 40, was a center on Erickson's 1988 Aloha Bowl team at WSU and is 50-31 in eight seasons at EWU. He is known to be interested.

Chris Petersen, Boise State: Petersen, 43, is off to a sizzling 23-2 start at BSU. It's questionable whether he'd be interested in WSU, since he's already making $850,000 annually and will be attractive for bigger openings.

Scott Linehan, St. Louis Rams: Linehan, 44, has a head-coaching job, where he's 11-17 in two seasons. He's from Sunnyside, played at Idaho and has a broad range of coaching experience.

Pat Hill, Fresno State: At 55, Hill is 83-55 in 11 years at FSU, where he has preached an underdog mentality to his teams. He succeeded longtime FSU coach Jim Sweeney, who no doubt has the ear of Bill Moos, a consultant in this search. Moos, the ex-Oregon athletic director, played for Sweeney in the early '70s at WSU.

Joe Glenn, Wyoming: Glenn, 58, has a magnetic personality, but also a 26-33 five-year record with the Cowboys.

Tim Lappano, Washington offensive coordinator: Lappano, 51, is well traveled, most of the roads following Erickson's winding path. He has had success with offense at UW, both in grooming Isaiah Stanback and helping develop Jake Locker.

Bud Withers, Times college football reporter