It was heavily rumored that Butch Davis was heading to Chapel Hill to coach the Tar Heels, but he may hold off in hopes of obtaining the not-yet-available Alabama job. Andy Lyons/Getty Images

The rumor mill has former Miami coach Butch Davis the front-runner to get the North Carolina job. But Davis might hold out to see what opens up. One long shot possibility could be Alabama. Although coach Mike Shula's team was 10-2 a year ago, the Tide are 6-4 this season after a stunning (to Tide fans) loss at home to Mississippi State Saturday.
-- Boston Globe

It has become part of the natural rhythm of the season, an annual occurrence that USC coach Pete Carroll anticipates every November. As bottom-tier NFL teams struggle, Carroll's name is floated in various media as a possible replacement for coaches in danger of being fired. Carroll, who reportedly earned close to $3 million in 2004, agreed to a contract extension last December and said at the time that it would keep him at the school for "the long haul."
-- Los Angeles Times

USC junior Chauncey Washington remains the No. 1 tailback. Freshmen Emmanuel Moody and C.J. Gable also have rotated in, but Gable has been slowed some by a groin strain, which could open the door for freshman Stafon Johnson.
-- Los Angeles Times

Michigan State basketball coach Tom Izzo had no update on any potential interest from Steve Mariucci, who returned from a trip out of the country Friday. Izzo said he talked to his friend briefly Saturday but hasn't heard back.
-- Detroit Free Press

On Saturday, Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English said he had not been contacted by Michigan State regarding its coaching job, despite widespread speculation. At his Monday news conference, Michigan coach Lloyd Carr said he wouldn't mind his assistants being contacted.
-- Detroit Free Press

Just whether Dirk Koetter will be around to clean up the mess he has put this Arizona State program in will be up to Athletic Director Lisa Love. If the fans and boosters have their way there will be a new coach in charge of trying to get the program back to respectability. There are several problems with Arizona State this season. First and foremost is Koetter and his lack of credibility inside and outside the organization. Some of his key players don't respect him and the fans have grown tired of his attitude.
-- Arizona Republic