Report: O’Brien Says No to Huskies

Washington’s search for a coach appears to have reached a dead end in Boston.

Boston College Coach Tom O’Brien withdrew his name from consideration Friday night, the Boston Globe reported.

O’Brien reportedly met Wednesday night in Chicago with Washington officials. He asked for a decision within 48 hours, but when that deadline passed and Washington officials said they needed more time, O’Brien told Husky Athletic Director Todd Turner that he would stay at Boston College.

The paper said O’Brien asked for a quick decision because if his status at Boston College remained in question it could have affected recruiting.

“I think it’s in my best interest to stay at Boston College,” O’Brien told the paper. “To let it go on any longer was not fair to my team and to this school.”

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USC offensive coordinator Norm Chow should find out soon how much interest Stanford has in making him its coach.

Pittsburgh Coach Walt Harris, regarded as the other top candidate to replace the fired Buddy Teevens, interviewed on Friday at Stanford. Chow, who went through a daylong interview with Stanford officials on Wednesday, said Friday that he had not received an offer.

Harris was named coach of the year in the Big East Conference after leading the No. 19 Panthers to the Fiesta Bowl. Pitt will play Utah on Jan. 1.

Harris grew up in the Bay Area, attended Pacific and also began his coaching career there. Ted Leland, Stanford’s athletic director, hired Harris as the coach at Pacific in 1989 when he was athletic director at the Stockton school.

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Derrick Johnson of Texas won the Butkus Award, presented to the nation’s top linebacker.

USC senior Matt Grootegoed was a finalist and attended the dinner and announcement in Orlando, Fla.

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Top-ranked USC resumes practice today in preparation for its Jan. 4 Orange Bowl game against No. 2 Oklahoma.... Defensive line coach Ed Orgeron was scheduled to meet with Mississippi officials regarding the school’s head coaching position. Orgeron could not be reached for comment.

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Notre Dame’s search for a coach appears to center on Buffalo Bill offensive coordinator Tom Clements, according to the South Bend (Ind.) Tribune. New England Patriot offensive coordinator Charlie Weis also remains a possibility.... Notre Dame defensive line coach Greg Mattison is leaving to become co-defensive coordinator at Florida.

Brent Guy, an assistant the last four seasons at Arizona State, was hired as Utah State’s coach. Guy, 44, a former Utah State assistant from 1992 to ‘94, was defensive coordinator and linebackers coach for the Sun Devils.... The Bloomington (Ind.) Herald-Times reported that Kansas State co-defensive coordinator Bobby Elliott is among the candidates to become Indiana’s coach.

Justin Rascati threw for three touchdowns and James Madison defeated William & Mary, 48-34, in a Division I-AA semifinal game at Williamsburg, Va. The Dukes (12-2) advanced to next Saturday’s national championship against the winner of today’s semifinal between Sam Houston State and Montana. William & Mary finished 11-3.... Pittsburg State (14-0) will play Valdosta State (12-1) for the Division II title today at Florence, Ala. Pittsburg State has scored 69 points or more six times, including a 91-27 victory over Missouri Rolla. Valdosta State is averaging 34.8 points.... Colorado School of Mines quarterback Chad Friehauf won the Harlon Hill Trophy as the Division II player of the year.