Auburn Pres.: Davis on list

Auburn Interim President Dr. Ed Richardson said IU men's basketball coach Mike Davis is on Auburn's list of possible candidates for the school's coaching vacancy. Richardson told the Opelika-Auburn News he alone would choose the next basketball coach for the SEC school, and Davis was on the list of candidates.\nBut IU athletic director Terry Clapacs told The Associated Press that he expects Davis to remain at IU next year.\n"This is where he wants to be," Clapacs said . "He tells me that all the time."\nAlong with Davis are Gonzaga's Mark Few, Tennessee-Chattanooga's Jeff Lebo, University Alabama - Birmingham's Mike Anderson and Virginia Commonwealth's Jeff Capel.\nAccording to the article, Richardson plans to look into the candidates in the next couple of days, but has not contacted anyone concerning the vacancy. He hopes by the Final Four to have the list down to four and then will make a decision by the third week in April.\nClapacs said he hasn't heard from Auburn, and he would be the first contacted if Auburn does choose to interview Davis. Davis must get approval from Clapacs to interview because he is under contract at IU until 2007. \n"I think Mike could come right out and say he has no interest," Clapacs said. "But that's the world of sports today. Our focus has to be on this coming season and I assume if Mike is interested, he'll talk to me about it."\nWhen and if Auburn contacts Clapacs, the ball would be in his court.\n"I would have to make a decision when that time comes," Clapacs said, "but I would more than likely cooperate with the school (Auburn). But I would want to know what exactly the conversation was about."\nAuburn Associate Athletics Director Hal Baird, who will advise Richardson on the choice, was not available for comment. Auburn is conducting a 10 a.m. conference call with Baird today. \nIn other IU coaching news, Southern Mississippi has reportedly filled its men's basketball head coaching position for which IU assistant coach John Treloar was once a candidate.