THE BOWLS DAILY REPORT : COTTON / USC VS. TEXAS TECH, Monday : Riley on His Way to Vanderbilt?

USC offensive coordinator Mike Riley was expected to confer again with Vanderbilt Athletic Director Paul Hoolahan late Wednesday, fueling speculation he might be the leading candidate for the school’s vacant head coaching job.

He was first interviewed Monday when the Trojans arrived in Dallas. It’s believed the three top candidates are Riley, Cleveland Brown quarterback coach Rod Dowhower and Nebraska assistant Frank Solich.

Other candidates include Marshall University’s Jim Donnan, William & Mary’s Jimmye Laycock, Florida assistant John Reaves, former Houston Oiler assistant Kevin Gilbride and Vandy assistants Don Frease and Carl Reese.

The opening was created when Gerry DiNardo resigned to become the Louisiana State coach after posting a four-year 18-26 mark.

Riley, 41, is in his second year at USC.

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Texas Tech linebacker Zach Thomas on his team’s record:

“Some people think we don’t need to go to a bowl with a 6-5 record. It’s not a good record. I didn’t want to go with it, either. I wanted to go to the Cotton Bowl, but I didn’t want to be 6-5.

“I think the Lord blessed us by putting us in this position by putting (Texas) A&M; on probation. A&M;, they cheated so they deserved to be put on probation.”