NEWPORT NEWS, Va. - Virginia athletic director Terry Holland said yesterday that there is no truth to widespread media reports that Florida State offensive coordinator Mark Richt has been offered the Cavaliers' head coaching position.
Holland said all candidates are still being evaluated equally. By early January, Holland hopes to name a successor to George Welsh, who announced Dec. 11 that he is retiring.
Sources said Saturday night that Richt, who helped develop Heisman Trophy quarterbacks Charlie Ward and Chris Weinke, had been offered the job.
Richt, 40, whose Seminoles face top-ranked Oklahoma in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 3, did not return phone messages.
He is in his 15th season as an assistant under Bobby Bowden and his seventh as offensive coordinator. In 1989, he spent a year as East Carolina's offensive coordinator.
Richt also is in the picture for the vacancy at Georgia.
Holland and school officials have interviewed at least six other candidates: defensive coordinators Bud Foster of Virginia Tech, Jerry Sandusky of Penn State and Jon Tenuta of Ohio State; offensive coordinators Kevin Rogers of Notre Dame and Jim Chaney of Purdue; and Michigan assistant head coach Fred Jackson.
Another potential prospect is Oklahoma co-defensive coordinator Mike Stoops.
