Reeves, a third choice as a coaching candidate, could hardly have been a better one.

He is also spending the weekend interviewing coaching candidates about defense.

Arbour may reprise his role next year if a more appropriate coaching candidate is not found.

Smith, who did not return phone calls to his office yesterday, has talked to several other coaching candidates since taking over as general manager July 17.

But Thomas did rule out himself yesterday as a coaching candidate - for now.

Kennedy said the athletic department was awaiting word on the future of the program before pursuing coaching candidates.

Thomas has interviewed more than a dozen coaching candidates since the season ended in April.

There were also interviews with assistant coaching candidates because he has a staff to assemble.

It was then that Shurmur was beginning to be thought of as a hot coaching candidate.

Campbell also could be considered as a coaching candidate by several teams.