Neuheisel Seeking a Comeback

Almost two dozen college head coaching jobs have come open since October and Rick Neuheisel hasn’t even gotten an interview.

The former Washington coach was fired by the university in June 2003 after it was learned that he bet in a college basketball pool. The NCAA investigated Neuheisel and the Huskies football program and in October cleared the coach of any wrongdoing.

Now he wants back in the coaching business. But unlike other coaches felled by scandal such as Mike Price of Texas El Paso and George O’Leary of Central Florida, the doors have not opened for Neuheisel.

“It has tarnished me and made it difficult for me to get an interview in the open marketplace,� Neuheisel told Associated Press in a telephone interview Thursday.

Neuheisel has sued Washington for wrongful termination. A trial is set to begin Jan. 24.

“I’m eager for it to begin and for the facts to come out,� he said.

The university argues that Neuheisel broke his contract by being dishonest.

Neuheisel was also frustrated by how long it took the NCAA to finally make a decision on his case.

“It was 504 days, but I wasn’t really counting,� he said. “I don’t mean to convey anything by that except that’s a long time to be in limbo.�

Neuheisel’s name often gets tossed around when jobs come open, but he says he has never been a candidate for any openings.

“It hasn’t been for lack of effort,� he said.

It’s hard to argue with Neuheisel’s record

He is 66-30 in eight seasons with Colorado and Washington. After four seasons with the Buffaloes, he was wooed to Washington.

In Seattle, where he still lives, Neuheisel was 33-16 with a Rose Bowl victory.

Since his messy departure from Washington, the Huskies have fallen apart and sweeping changes were made throughout the administration.

The Huskies are coming off a 1-10 season under Keith Gilbertson, Neuheisel’s successor.

“I suffered along with them,� said Neuheisel, who hired Gilbertson and recruited most of Washington’s players.

Washington hired former Notre Dame coach Tyrone Willingham this month to repair a program that not long ago was one of the best in the Pacific 10 Conference.

Neuheisel spent this season working as an analyst for College Sports Television. His contract is up next week.

After that, “I’m back in as a free agent,� he said.