Chow Will Stay; Holt Is Pursued

USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow is staying with the Trojans, but another member of the staff has his eye on a head coaching opportunity.

Chow, who interviewed last week for the head coaching position at Arizona, said Friday night that Arizona Athletic Director Jim Livengood had left him a message informing him that another candidate had been chosen for the job.

“It was flattering to be considered,” Chow said. “I have a great job.... I don’t go out looking for other jobs, but when someone comes to you, you listen.”

Meanwhile, USC linebacker coach Nick Holt said he has been contacted by Idaho officials about the school’s head coaching job. Tom Cable was fired last Saturday after four seasons.

Holt, 41, was an assistant coach at Idaho from 1990 to ’97 and was defensive coordinator his last four seasons there. Holt said he spoke with Idaho officials earlier this week and was told he would be contacted again this weekend.

“I love where I am right now,” Holt said. “But if they call and offer me the job, I’ll have to make some decisions. I’ll just have to cross that bridge when I come to it.”

Arizona completed its season Friday with a 28-7 loss to Arizona State.

Oklahoma defensive coordinator Mike Stoops is regarded as the front-runner for the Arizona job, which was filled on interim basis by Mike Hankwitz after John Mackovic was fired Sept. 28.

Livengood has said he wanted a permanent coach in place by Monday, but an announcement regarding Stoops’ hiring could come as soon as today or Sunday.

Stoops made it known that he would leave Oklahoma immediately if hired by Arizona. Chow said he would not leave USC before a bowl game.