Chow Talks With Utah About Opening

Norm Chow, USC’s offensive coordinator, was selected Tuesday as one of five finalists for the Broyles Award, presented annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.

It’s the second time Chow has been among the finalists -- and it could be the last if Utah commits enough money to hire Chow as its head coach, along with a staff of his choosing.

Chow, who was recruiting in North Carolina on Tuesday, acknowledged that he met with Chris Hill, Utah’s athletic director, on Monday.

“It wasn’t an interview for a job, it was a brief conversation,” said Chow, who played for the Utes in 1965-67, coached at Brigham Young for 27 seasons and interviewed for the head coaching position at his alma mater in 1990.

Chow, Colorado offensive coordinator Shawn Watson, Notre Dame defensive coordinator Kent Baer, Philadelphia Eagle offensive coordinator Brad Childress and St. Louis Ram quarterbacks coach John Ramsdell are thought to be candidates to replace Ron McBride, who was fired last week. Utah defensive coordinator Kyle Whittingham and Buffalo Bill quarterback coach Steve Kragthorpe also reportedly expressed interest.

Utah is expected to begin formally interviewing candidates next week, Chow said.

McBride earned $310,000 last season. Chow is earning about $300,000 in the second year of a three-year contract with USC and is likely to command a salary of at least $500,000 a year to join the Utes.

Hill has said that the university would tap a reserve fund or booster contributions to make sure the school gets the coach it desires. However, a potential stumbling block to Chow’s hiring could be salaries the longtime assistant might request for his staff.

After he left BYU, Chow worked the 2000 season at North Carolina State under Coach Chuck Amato. Chow earned $165,000 with the Wolfpack before USC hired him in January 2001 and nearly doubled his salary.

If Chow is hired by Utah, Pete Carroll’s staff could take additional hits.

Steve Sarkisian, the Trojans’ quarterbacks coach, played for Chow at BYU. Keith Uperesa, who coaches offensive tackles and tight ends, also played at BYU and was a graduate assistant there under Chow.

The Broyles Award is named after former Arkansas coach Frank Broyles.

Other finalists are Baer, Ohio State defensive coordinator Mark Dantonio, Boise State offensive coordinator Chris Peterson and Georgia defensive coordinator Brian VanGorder.