PROVO — BYU offensive coordinator/wide receivers coach Mike Borich grew up a Ute fan. His dad played football at Utah.
So when U. athletic director Chris Hill recently asked him if he would be interested in coaching there, naturally, Borich said yes.
"It's something I'd look into," he told the Deseret News.
Wyoming and Southern Utah, which also have head coaching vacancies, have expressed interest in Borich, too.
That aside, though, Borich said right now he is focused on recruiting and helping BYU bounce back from its first losing season since 1973. He said there's a "99 percent" chance he'll return to the Cougar coaching staff in 2003.
"I'm happy where I'm at," Borich said. "I'm happy to stay here. I'm not actively looking at other opportunities. But people have contacted me, and when they do, I will listen."
Borich stressed that the inquiry from Hill was informal in nature. "It's preliminary right now," he said. "Chris Hill is making a major commitment to Utah's football program. He's going about it the right way. If I'm on their list, that's great."
Borich has been coaching with BYU head coach Gary Crowton for several years, including a two-year stint with the NFL's Chicago Bears, where Borich was the receivers coach and Crowton was the offensive coordinator. When Crowton was hired to take the reins of the BYU program two years ago, Borich followed him to Provo.
"I have a close relationship with Gary," Borich said. "I'm loyal to Gary. He knows that people have contacted me about other jobs and that I'm listening. He's in favor of that. But I'm not looking for a change."
As with almost every assistant at any program, Borich's goal is to become a head coach someday.
"I feel I'm ready," he said. "I have a lot of experience outside this area. I've been in a lot of different places. When my time comes, I'll be ready. But there's no urgency. It may be now, it may be in 10 years."
In 2001, BYU led the nation in scoring and total offense. American Football Monthly named Borich its offensive coordinator of the year.
Though Borich is listed as the Cougars' offensive coordinator, Crowton calls the plays, with input from his staff. By going to a different program, Borich would be able to step away from Crowton's shadow.
However, if the right opportunity doesn't present itself, Borich said he's content to remain at BYU.
E-MAIL: jeffc@desnews.com