Miami set to talk to minority candidate

LSU's Nick Saban is still the front-runner for the vacant coaching position.
MIAMI (AP) -- The Miami Dolphins will put their courtship of LSU coach Nick Saban on hold to comply with the NFL's hiring policy by interviewing a minority candidate, a team source told The Associated Press on Friday.
Such an interview could delay offering the job to Saban until next week, but he remains the front-runner to become the Dolphins' coach, said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity.
"There's a lot of mutual interest," the source said.
Louisiana State athletic director Skip Bertman said he believes the Dolphins are about to make an offer and Saban is interested in the job.
"I think an offer is very imminent," Bertman said in a telephone interview from Baton Rouge. "It's important for you to understand, he's not trying to leverage LSU. This is a career decision."
Offer could be made
Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga and president Eddie Jones, an LSU graduate, flew to Baton Rouge on Tuesday to meet with Saban. He's expected to be offered a contract worth $4 million to $5 million a year with authority to shape football operations, which could lead to the departure of general manager Rick Spielman.
Jones has said the Dolphins will adhere to NFL hiring policy. Guidelines established in 2002 require teams to interview at least one minority candidate for coaching vacancies.
Assistant coaches on other teams are off limits for interviews until the regular season ends Jan. 2, leaving the Dolphins with few potential minority candidates if they want to move quickly. Because uncertainty over Saban's status is sure to hurt LSU's recruiting, he's probably eager for a resolution soon.
Saban is the only coach the Dolphins have confirmed is a candidate. He has been considered the favorite for the job ever since Dave Wannstedt resigned last month after Miami started the season 1-8.
Bertman said Saban has not been interested in other NFL vacancies.
"This one he's interested in," Bertman said. "This is the big leagues."
Money no issue
Money is unlikely to be a major factor in the decision, Bertman said.
"It's just a question of can he get the control he wants. It's not a matter of $5 million a year or whatever," the athletic director said. "It's all about control."
Saban is in the first year of a seven-year contract that pays him $2.3 million this season, escalating to $3 million by 2010.
Even though the Dolphins are tied for the worst record in the NFL at 2-11, their job has appeal because of a winning tradition and Huizenga's reputation as a hands-off owner. This year is their first losing season since 1988.
Saban, 53, has NFL experience as an assistant coach with the Houston Oilers in 1988-89 and with the Cleveland Browns in 1991-94, and he has been LSU's coach since leaving Michigan State in November 1999. He's 48-15 in five seasons with the Tigers, winning Southeastern Conference championships in 2001 and 2003 and the 2003 BCS national championship.
This year LSU is 9-2, ranked 11th and bound for the Capital One Bowl in Orlando on Jan. 1 against Iowa. Bertman said he believes Saban is committed to coaching the Tigers in the game.
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