NORMAN - Oklahoma offensive coordinator Chuck Long flew out of town today, bound for his future.
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Long and his wife, Lisa, headed to San Diego for an interview that is apparently a formality. Several sources told The Oklahoman that Long has been offered the job as San Diego State's head coach; an announcement can be made as early as Saturday.
San Diego State athletic director Jeff Schemmel, who flew into Westheimer Field aboard a Gulfstream IV jet to pick up the couple, would not confirm Long's hiring, but said "everything looks good, we're only bringing one guy in.
And he told Chuck Long "it looks like you packed for a long stay.
Long also declined comment at the airport. But the plane, owned by San Diego Padres owner John Moores, a major San Diego State booster, lifted off at 4 p.m. --- just as the Sooners' practice was beginning across town.
A source said much of the contact between Long and San Diego State was handled by Chuck Neinas, the Boulder, Colo.-based consultant who is well known for brokering deals between schools and coaches.
Last week, Long denied he had been in contact with San Diego State officials or had conversations about the vacancy. But this week, an agent with knowledge of the situation said Long had been interviewed. And a separate source also said Long had been in conversation with San Diego State about the job.
It wasn't clear whether Long would continue coaching at Oklahoma though the Sooners' trip to the Holiday Bowl.
Long will become be the fourth OU assistant under Stoops to move on to a head-coaching position. Mike Leach (1999, Texas Tech), Mark Mangino (2001, Kansas) and Mike Stoops (2003, Arizona) preceded him in making the move up.
The other three departed for their new jobs before the bowl game.
But this might be a unique situation.
Because of location, Long could conceivably split duties as OU's offensive coordinator through the Holiday Bowl, even while transitioning to the new job.
OU is scheduled to practice at San Diego State while at the Holiday Bowl, an arrangement that presumably would be convenient to Long's adjustment.
Long, 42, is in his sixth season as an OU assistant, his fifth as the Sooners' offensive coordinator. In 2004, he was a finalist for the Frank Broyles Award, given to the nation's best college assistant coach. He is in his 11th season as a college assistant after spending eight seasons in the NFL.
Long was criticized earlier this season when OU's offense sputtered, although the struggles were partly because of injuries and youth. Stoops adamantly supported his offensive coordinator then, recounting the Sooners' offensive success during Long's tenure in several different offensive styles.
Speculation had Long as a candidate for an opening at Illinois last season.
And he was listed among candidates to replace Bill Snyder at Kansas State; the job was eventually filled by Ron Prince. But he said he was not contacted about the opening.
"I would look at anything that came along, but at the same time I'm very happy here, Long said last month, shortly after Snyder announced his retirement. "I'm excited about our program, where it is, what we've done so far this year and where it could go in the future. ... I do aspire to be a head coach, but it has to be the right situation for me and my family.
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