Oregon basketball head coach Ernie Kent will be in South Bend, Ind., today to meet with Notre Dame officials about its vacant head coaching position — where he is reportedly Notre Dame’s number one choice.
Oregon athletic director Bill Moos confirmed Wednesday that he has granted Notre Dame AD Kevin White permission to speak to Kent.
“I look at it as a tremendous compliment for our coaches and their programs when other schools become interested in the success we have achieved at Oregon,” Moos said.
The Notre Dame job became vacant Tuesday when Matt Doherty left to take over the head coaching job of North Carolina, where he once played.
ESPN.com reported sources close to Kent said he’s “50-50” on whether to stay at Oregon or bolt to Notre Dame.
Kent has been out of town recruiting since Saturday and reiterated what Moos said about this being a sign of respect for Oregon.
“This reinforces the things we have accomplished here have drawn a favorable response on a national scale,” said Kent, who has an overall record of 54-35 in his three seasons at his alma mater. “I want to emphasize that I am perfectly happy to be the head coach at Oregon, and this is not something I have initiated.”
ESPN.com also reported that Kent is interested in the national opportunity that the Notre Dame job would offer him — a school that has never had a black men’s basketball coach.
“Ernie and I have spoken several times this week regarding the developments at Notre Dame and are confident we will continue to do so,” Moos said.