:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/4162293/gyi0062066380.0.jpg)
It now appears more clear that there is a lead candidate in the race to replace Danny Hope at Purdue. Butch Jones, current coach of the Cincinnati Bearcats, has been officially offered the job according to multiple sources:
BREAKING: Purdue has offered Butch Jones its head football coaching position, I've been able to confirm. Decision expected soon. #Boilers
— Brendan Murphy (@BMurphySports) November 29, 2012
Butch Jones is main #Purdue target. A decision probably has to come soon after the weekend. More at GoldandBlack.com.
— GoldandBlack.com (@GoldandBlackcom) November 30, 2012
This may not be a done deal, however:
Although Jones hasn't been mentioned previously as a potential Colorado coach, he's a hot coaching candidate. He turned down an offer (twice) from Kentucky, a source told me, and so far has rejected overtures from Purdue.
I don't think we will know anything concrete until after tomorrow. Cincinnati plays at Connecticut on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 pm ABC. With Louisville's upset of Rutgers last night the Bearcats can now claim a share of the Big East title and possible BCS bowl berth with a win, but a loss gets UConn bowl eligible. A Cincy win would create a four-way clusterfuck tie atop the Big East with Syracuse, Louisville, Rutgers, and Cincinnati all 5-2 in league play. The BCS berth would go to the highest-rated team in the final BCS standings.
What makes that interesting is that not a single Big East team, not even Rutgers who was 9-2 before last week, was in the BCS top 25. It also makes it very likely that a Kent State victory tonight puts them in a BCS bowl.