A day after it was reported that Houston coach Kevin Sumlin was offered the coaching job at Arizona State -- a report that CFT was told to be “completely false” -- it appears, if there was indeed any interest from ASU, that interest has fallen by the wayside.
FOX 26 in Houston is reporting, citing sources with direct knowledge of the search process at Arizona State, that the school has ended its pursuit of Sumlin.
“We’ve dropped from further consideration and moved on,” the source said.
Meanwhile, Sumlin’s name is scorching in connection to the new opening at Texas A&M following the firing of coach Mike Sherman. The Austin-American Statesman is just one of many media outlets reporting that Sumlin is the frontrunner to lead the Aggies into the SEC next season.
Houston athletic director Mack Rhoades has been vague on the issue, releasing the following statement:
“Coach Sumlin, our staff and student-athletes have done a tremendous job this season and we are extremely excited and honored to play against a great football team for the Conference USA championship. Many eyes are fixated on Houston and the continued success of our football team and with that success comes great interest in our program and head coach. Coach Sumlin, our staff and student-athletes remain focused on tomorrow’s game and we are extremely excited about the future. We will continue to be proactive indoing all we can to make sure that Kevin and his family, along with our staff and their families, know that we value them tremendously.”
That’s all well and good, but if Arizona State is backing off of Sumlin, it could be an indication that other opportunities are moving and taking form.
