Bobby Petrino interviews at L'ville

ByBRETT MCMURPHY
January 7, 2014, 10:21 PM

— -- Current Western Kentucky and former Louisville coach Bobby Petrino interviewed Tuesday with Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich for the head-coaching job at the school, a source told ESPN.

Stanford defensive coordinator Derek Mason, Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi and Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris also are among the six individuals who interviewed for the job, a source said.

Current Louisville offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and defensive coordinator Vance Bedford interviewed as well, according to a source.

Petrino is one of three finalists to replace Charlie Strong, a source told McMurphy. The other two finalists are unknown, a source said.

An announcement on Strong's successor could come as early as Thursday morning, when the University of Louisville Athletic Association is scheduled to meet to review Jurich's recommendation for the position. The AD has promised to move quickly on the hire but said he wanted a coach who was the right fit and committed to the school for the long term.

Colorado State's Jim McElwain, who did not interview, initially was a candidate for the position. However, a source said McElwain was not pursued because of Jurich's respect and admiration for CSU AD Jack Graham and the Rams' program. Jurich was athletic director at Colorado State for four years before coming to Louisville in 1997.

Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio spoke to reporters Tuesday night about the possibility of losing Narduzzi to another school.

"When you're successful, everybody's going to have opportunities," Dantonio said. "When there are good opportunities for your guys, you want the best for them, so whatever's going to be best for him as we go through this. But, it's a win-win situation."

Petrino, 52, got his start as a head coach at Louisville, leading the Cardinals from 2003 to 2006 before leaving for a brief stint as coach of the Atlanta Falcons. He returned to the college ranks with Arkansas in 2008 but was fired in April 2012 for a "pattern of misleading behavior" following an accident in which the coach was injured while riding a motorcycle with his mistress, a former Razorbacks volleyball player.

In the wake of the scandal, he signed a four-year deal with Western Kentucky in December 2012. The deal had a base annual salary of $850,000 and includes a $1.2 million repayment to the school if he terminates it at any time.

Petrino had a 41-9 record at Louisville, leading the Cardinals to a 12-1 mark and their first BCS bowl victory in the Orange Bowl in 2006.

He is 83-30 overall as a college head coach, including an 8-4 mark this past season with the Hilltoppers.

Strong, who guided the Cardinals to a 12-1 record this season, was introduced as Texas' coach Monday.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.