Rumors are swirling that Lane Kiffin has been unofficially named the next head coach at Houston, but a tweet sent by the school’s athletic director on Thursday morning indicated no decision has been made.
Shortly after a report from Dan Wolken of USA Today claimed Kiffin is operating as if the Houston job is his, Cougars AD Hunter Yurachek tweeted the following:
— Hunter Yurachek (@HunterYurachek) December 8, 2016
For those of you who don’t understand the reference, the photo depicts black smoke coming from the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City. White smoke is used to signal that a new Pope has been chosen, whereas black smoke indicates no decision has been reached.
According to Joseph Duarte of The Houston Chronicle, Houston has not yet offered its head coaching job to anyone and is still mulling over a candidate list that includes current interim coach and defensive coordinator Todd Orlando, offensive coordinator Major Applewhite and former LSU coach Les Miles.
Kiffin has been linked to a number of head coach vacancies over the past few weeks, including the new opening at South Florida. However, his ex-wife’s connection to USF may have eliminated that possibility.
It would not be a surprise if Houston hired someone like Kiffin or Miles to make a splash after losing Tom Herman, but it appears any reports of Kiffin being given the job are premature.
