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SOUTH BEND – Notre Dame’s search for a football coach appears to be in the home stretch, but it is far from finished.
After reports Tuesday that the university and Cincinnati’s Brian Kelly were close to reaching an agreement, ESPN.com reported Wednesday that there is “mutual interest” between Notre Dame and Connecticut coach Randy Edsall.
Edsall led Connecticut to a 7-5 record this season, including a 33-30 double-overtime win over the Irish on Nov. 21.
Kelly still appears to be the top candidate to replace Charlie Weis, who was fired Nov. 30.
Kelly spoke with officials from Notre Dame last week, but in a text to the Cincinnati Enquirer on Tuesday, he did remind the paper that he is also negotiating to remain the Bearcats’ coach.
Cincinnati is preparing for its second consecutive BCS bowl game, as the Bearcats (12-0) face Florida (12-1) in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.
Notre Dame will also be searching for a new coach to coordinate its recruiting.
Rob Ianello, who has overseen the Notre Dame football program since Weis was fired, will be introduced as Akron’s new coach at a news conference today, according to a release sent out late Wednesday by the school.
Ianello, 44, was the Irish’s receivers coach and recruiting coordinator.
The Tribune also reported that sophomore tight end Kyle Rudolph will have surgery Dec. 18 to repair a separated shoulder.
Rudolph’s father, Dan, told the paper the 6-foot-6, 260-pound tight end should be able to participate in spring practice, but he could be limited.
Rudolph injured his shoulder in a 23-21 loss to Navy on Nov. 7. At the time the injury was described as a muscle issue in the shoulder, and he sat out the next two games and had a limited role in the 45-38 loss to Stanford to end the season.
Rudolph had 33 catches for 364 yards and three touchdowns this season.
