OSU football notebook: DeForest won’t comment on New Mexico job

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Published: December 1, 2008

Oklahoma State assistant Joe DeForest declined comment on reports that he is a serious candidate for the head coaching position at New Mexico.

Joe DeForest, associate head coach/special teams coordinator, at the Oklahoma State University (OSU) college football game against Iowa State University (ISU) at Boone Pickens Stadium in Stillwater, Okla. Saturday November 1, 2008. PHOTO BY DOUG HOKE

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"I really don’t need to comment on that right now,” said DeForest, the Cowboys’ associate head coach, special teams coordinator and safeties coach. "It’s an honor to be considered for any head coaching job because there are so few.”

In an article about coaching openings around the country, Rivals.com said DeForest is the frontrunner for the job, which came open when Rocky Long stepped down on Nov. 18.

OSU running backs coach Curtis Luper, who held the same position at New Mexico from 2002-04, was also mentioned as a potential candidate.

OSU athletics director Mike Holder said Sunday that New Mexico officials have not contacted him about speaking with DeForest or Luper.

NO REST FOR WEARY

Oklahoma State coaches were on the road recruiting early Sunday, less than 24 hours after losing to Oklahoma in the regular season finale. Coach Mike Gundy was replaced by DeForest on his weekly media teleconference because Gundy was on a home visit Sunday afternoon.

"I’ve got some home visits tonight,” DeForest said. "I’m heading out recruiting this afternoon. It’s like the regular season is over and you can take some time and relax — no. You start recruiting today.”

DeForest said that between recruiting and bowl preparation this is often one of the toughest times of the year.

ADDING DESTINATIONS

Deforest said that with some recent staff additions, OSU has expanded its recruiting scope. The Cowboy coaches are hitting junior colleges "a little harder than we have for different needs.”

He also said there have been some geographical expansions. DeForest pointed out defensive line coach Glenn Spencer’s connections in Georgia.

"We don’t have to recruit just Texas and Oklahoma, we can spread our wings a little bit,” DeForest said.

ANTOINE COMING ALONG

Deforest said Sunday that junior college transfer Lucien Antoine is recovering from his ACL surgery ahead of schedule. The defensive back tore his knee ligament in early September.

OSU started two senior safeties and has just two scholarship safeties — Victor Johnson and Johnny Thomas — who are available for spring ball.

"So it was imperative that we sign a juco safety just to get us through spring ball, but they say (Antoine) is doing great and he’ll be able to go through some spring drills, maybe not all of them,” DeForest said.

BY ANDREA COHEN