San Diego State Narrows Coaching Search, UNLV’s Mike Sanford Gets Extension

The secretive job search for the next San Diego State head coach is leaking out. The San Diego Union Tribune is reporting that there are three finalists for the vacant job. As mentioned last week, one is current San Francisco 49ers offensive coordinator Mike Martz. Former Texas A&M coach Dennis Franchione and current UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker all are having second interviews.

Mike Martz is an interesting choice since he has been in the NFL since 1999 and was a head coach for a few years, but he has served plenty of time in the college ranks. Martz would be the flashy hire with his offense that might be able bring the Aztecs out of the basement in the MWC and lure in recruits who like his offensive style.

Below is Martz’s college coaching history.

San Diego Mesa: 1974, 1976-1977
San Jose State: 1975
Santa Ana College: 1978
Fresno State University: 1979
University of the Pacific: 1980-1981
University of Minnesota: 1982
Arizona State University: 1983-1987 as quarterback and wide receiver coach. Was the offensive coordinator in 1984 and from 1988-1991.

Dennis Franchione is known best for turning New Mexico and TCU around from nothing, but he had trouble bringing high profile schools as Alabama and Texas A&M up to a higher level.

Walker is just up the road at UCLA and is a great coach, and he would instantly help with recruiting in Southern California, especially in Los Angeles.

This is somewhat of a surprise that San Diego State is going after big names, because their football program brings in little or no money. However, that BCS money from Utah will help in the hire with extra cash.

In other coaching news in the league, UNLV coach Mike Sanford is getting a three-year extension, this coming from the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Sanford’s extension will keep him at UNLV through the 2012 season. This past year Sanford was on the hot seat after winning only six games in his three-year tenure, but this year the team starting off hot and settled with five wins.

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AD Hamrick saw enough improvement to grant the contract extension, and recruits have noticed the steps forward as well. This is shaping up to be Sanford’s best class.

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UNLV’s recruiting class looks to be very good, which could be why an extension was given, and the prospects for next year look good with a possible bowl bid.

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