Lefty Driesell Is Reportedly Interviewed for Coaching Vacancy at South Alabama

Former Maryland basketball coach Lefty Driesell was interviewed Wednesday by South Alabama officials for that school’s coaching vacancy, a newspaper reported.

The Mobile Press Register said Driesell was interviewed by South Alabama’s athletic director, Joe Gottfried, and given a tour of the school’s athletic facilities.

Driesell, who resigned as Maryland coach last fall in the wake of Len Bias’ cocaine-related death, was apparently the third candidate interviewed for the job.

The newspaper, quoting unnamed sources, said Coach Lake Kelly of Austin Peay and Coach Benny Dees of New Orleans were interviewed earlier this week.

Mike Hanks was fired last week as the Jaguars’ coach with two years left on his contract. He compiled a 45-43 record in three seasons at South Alabama.

Gottfried and university President Frederick Whiddon were expected to make a decision as early as today on a new coach. However, a school spokesman said Wednesday night that a news conference had not been scheduled.

After Dees and Kelly were interviewed, Gottfried said no one had been offered the job.