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Logan • Utah assistant Tommy Connor is a strong candidate to replace Stew Morrill at Utah State, but The Tribune learned Wednesday he has not been offered the job.
Connor, the associate head coach at Utah, has interviewed with Aggie athletic director Scott Barnes. Others, however, apparently remain in play.
When Morrill announced his decision to retire in January, Barnes said he would not comment on the search until a replacement was found. Through the Utah State sports information department last week, he declined a Tribune request for an interview.
Barnes hired a consulting firm, College Sports Associates, to assist him in the search process.
As far as Connor's upcoming itinerary is concerned, Utah's season continues Friday, when the Utes meet Duke in the Sweet 16 in Houston.
The son of a former coach, Connor has been connected to basketball in Utah for nearly 25 years.
During his playing career, he was a four-year starter at Utah. From 1991 to 97, he was a graduate assistant and then a full-time assistant under Rick Majerus.
Connor left Utah to become the head coach at Westminster College in 1997. In 12 seasons with the Griffins, he guided them to a record of 264-114, including 126-40 in the Frontier Conference.
Connor returned to Utah as an assistant after the 2010-11 season, when Larry Krystkowiak was hired as the Utes' new head coach.
If Barnes hires the Utah assistant, it will be the second time in five years he has taken such a route.
In 2009, he hired Gary Andersen, the Utes' defensive coordinator, to be the Aggies' new football coach. Andersen compiled a record of 26-24 in four seasons at Utah State before leaving for Wisconsin.
Connor background and job description fits the Andersen profile — down to being a former Utah player.
Whoever replaces Morrill, they will follow the most successful coach in Utah State history. In 17 years, he compiled a record of 402-156.
The Aggies finished 18-13 this season, including a surprising 11-7 in the Mountain West Conference.
Utah State returns five starters next season, including second-team all-Mountain West forward Jalen Moore and the league's Freshman of the Year, David Collette.