Tuesday, June 03, 2008

AU coach search update

Auburn’s baseball coach search has indeed picked up steam; it’s just not moving anywhere just yet.

According to a report in the Louisville, Ky., Courier Journal, Auburn has contacted Louisville head coach Dan McDonnell, but the second-year Cardinal head coach said “no thanks.“

AU officials requested permission from U of L to speak to McDonnell, but the discussions weren’t very fruitful.

“I was flattered and I appreciated the interest,“ McDonnell told the Courier-Journal. “But after a few conversations and reassessing with Tom everything that’s going on here, my family and I feels like Louisville is our home. I plan to be here for some time.“ (Note: “Tom” is Louisville AD Tom Jurich.)

McDonnell, who played at The Citadel, spent six seasons as an assistant at Ole Miss before taking the Louisville job in 2007. The 37-year-old coach is 88-45 in two seasons, the best mark in team history. The Cardinals made the College World Series in 2007 and qualified for an NCAA Regional in ‘08.

Attempts by the Opelika-Auburn News to contact McDonnell Tuesday afternoon were unsuccessful.