Utah State athletic director Rod Tueller says he'd like to have a new football coach hired "by soon after the end of the season, to not lose too much in the recruiting process."
Tueller said the search did not begin until Monday, when Chuck Shelton publicly announced his decision to resign at the end of this season, and that he didn't begin to think of what criteria he might use to find a new coach until Monday."That's absolutely true," says Tueller, who'd been rumored to be interviewing candidates for weeks, even months.
"None of us were planning for this," says Tueller, who knew Shelton could resign eventually but hoped to talk him out if it.
But now, "The wheels are moving," he says.
Tueller says he'll seek help from the USU administration and support council as well as take input from "those interested in Aggie athletics" to decide a desirable profile for the new coach.
"We'll gradually get organized and find a replacement that will keep the Shelton program going in a very positive way," Tueller said Tuesday afternoon.
"I don't think we're going to wait. There's people that will be available."
He says he'll consider all comers, including assistant coaches.
"It's open. We invite and encourage anybody with an interest in a Division I football program to express interest, and we'll probably express an interest in some others," Tueller said.
"We'll advertise the job, open it up, and see where the comers are.
"This does give us a leg up on replacing him," Tueller said of Shelton's announcement that was made with four games left in the Aggie schedule. "That was probably part of Chuck's decision. That's the kind of man he is," said Tueller.
News travels fast, he said, and there were some immediate incoming calls, "but I wouldn't say any official because I won't accept official yet. I have not accepted any, and I don't think anybody's going to send us an official application at this point. They're going to inquire."