College Football

Sources: Kansas narrows coaching search, targets next week for hire

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 8:46 p.m. ET

Bruce Feldman

Kansas canned Charlie Weis back in September, but the search for his replacement now is finally heating up. Sources tell FOX Sports that Jayhawk brass wants to hire a new head coach by the middle of next week. There is still some internal support for interim head coach Clint Bowen, who got the Jayhawks to play harder and be more competitive after Weis was fired, but they were only 1-7 under Bowen and were outscored 95-20 in their final two games.

A big part of the search, which sources say has been conducted via phone interviews, has revolved around former KU assistants with ties to the Mark Mangino era when the Jayhawks had a lot more success.

Two candidates who both have good shots at the vacancy are Ohio State co-offensive coordinator and O-line coach Ed Warinner and Texas A&M wide receivers coach David Beaty. Warinner, a source told FOX Sports Wednesday night, has interviewed for the job. Nebraska OC Tim Beck, another former KU staffer, also interviewed and is getting plenty of consideration. Word is, there is also at least one other coaching candidate -- a sitting head coach, maybe two -- who intrigues the Jayhawks.

Kansas is just 12-48 overall and 3-41 in conference play since Mangino was forced out following the 2009 season.