Search for replacement as up in the air as ever

After two conflicting reports in as many days from www.ESPN.com, more questions than answers surround IU's search for its next men's basketball coach.\nTuesday night, ESPN columnist Andy Katz reported that Iowa coach Steve Alford was expected to interview with the University of Missouri today. \nSteve Roe, Iowa's associate director of sports information, told the Indiana Daily Student that Katz's reports were false and that Alford has no interview with the school immediately lined up. \nAlford confirmed that he has yet to interview, but did not say he will remain at Iowa.\n"As in the past, search committees and interested officials from other programs with openings for a head basketball coach have initiated contact," Alford said in a statement. "I'm flattered with the interest and the recognition of the outstanding season we had this year. With that success, comes attention and speculation that I cannot control. I have not scheduled any interviews with any other institutions."\nAccording to Katz's initial report, IU has only two candidates in mind -- Alford not among them.\nYesterday, however, Katz stated that Alford was awaiting confirmation from IU regarding its interest in the Hawkeye coach. \nPete Rhoda, IU director of athletic media relations, told the IDS that the University will not discuss possible candidates while a coaching search is ongoing.\nIn addition to Alford, it has also been rumored that Texas A&M coach Billy Gillispie might be on IU's short list of candidates. A recent Fort Worth Star-Telegram article indicated Gillispie might not be happy with A&M's facilities and cited a booster saying the coach could leave if the money was right. Bill Byrne, Texas A&M athletic director, was quick to dispel the rumors.\n"I am extremely reluctant to respond to any rumors, but I feel I must put them to rest," Byrne said in a statement to the IDS. "Billy Gillispie is committed to our players, coaching staff and Texas A&M. Texas A&M is committed to coach Gillispie."\nAt the press conference in which Davis announced his resignation, IU Athletics Director Rick Greenspan said he expected to announce the new coach around the time of the Final Four in Indianapolis. That same weekend, members of the 1976 and 1981 National Champion Hoosier squads will be honored at a Conseco Fieldhouse breakfast. Orlando Magic Assistant Coach Randy Wittman, a guard on the 1981 team and member of the IU Hall of Fame, has also been rumored to be on IU's short list of candidates. Wittman, who has also received the backing of former IU standout Isiah Thomas, was unavailable for comment. \nSeveral weeks ago, reports surfaced that Thomas, the general manager of the New York Knicks, visited Bloomington and endorsed Wittman as his choice to fill the coaching vacancy to IU President Adam Herbert.\nRhoda said Greenspan would not be commenting on \ncoaching candidates.\nThe Black Coaches Association, among other organizations, has been following the path IU is taking in finding a new coach. Floyd Keith, executive director of the organization, said he has given Greenspan his opinion on possible candidates.\n"I don't know who the candidates are," Keith said. "I had three conversations with Rick Greenspan. We talked about the departure (of Mike Davis) and talked about some possible considerations."\nKeith said he isn't just worried about too few black coaches.\n"We're always concerned about a lack (of blacks) in any capacity whether it be head coaches, athletic directors, etc.," Keith said. "In the basketball lineup it's unique because the ACC is about 50 percent and now the Big Ten is down to one (black head coach)."\nKeith, a quarterback/passing game co-coordinator for the IU football team from 1984 to 1992, said he "knows the chemistry of IU" and has an idea of what the next coach can expect.\n"The bottom line is winning," he said. "There is a high level of expectation at IU -- Mike (Davis) alluded to that at his press conference. Winning solves a whole lot of things"