THE SIDELINES : Pettibone May Coach OSU Team

Northern Illinois football Coach Jerry Pettibone is scheduled to tour Oregon State today to decide whether he wants to become the school’s next head football coach.

Gerald O’Dell, Northern Illinois athletic director, said he told the school’s football team that Pettibone has been offered the job but Oregon State Athletic Director Dutch Baughman said only that he would be happy to recommend Pettibone for the job. “We are extremely impressed with Jerry Pettibone, both as a human being and as an outstanding coach,” said Baughman. “Obviously we wouldn’t bring a man and his wife that distance if we weren’t seriously interested.”

Baughman said Pettibone was one of three finalists who were told what kind of contract package Oregon State is prepared to offer. Pettibone is the first of the finalists to visit Corvallis, but Baughman declined to identify the other two or say whether they have been invited for an interview.

Dave Kragthorpe stepped down from the head coaching job at Oregon State last month after a 1-10 season.