West Virginia daily

Wainwright, DePaul talk Richmond prepares list in case its coach opts to take new job

University of Richmond basketball coach Jerry Wainwright met with DePaul officials yesterday in Chicago. He is believed to be the top candidate for the Blue Demons' position vacated when Dave Leitao moved to Virginia. A new DePaul coach is expected to be introduced this week.

Wainwright flew back to Richmond last night and is scheduled to appear at a charity golf event today in Providence Forge. DePaul officials Sunday discussed the job with Western Michigan's Steve Hawkins.

"In that Coach Wainwright has decided to talk to DePaul about their opening, that obviously puts us in a position where we need to consider what the possible alternatives are," Spiders Athletic Director Jim Miller said. "Whatever happens in Chicago, we need to be prepared to respond appropriately here at Richmond."

Sources said UR does not intend to make a counteroffer in an effort to keep Wainwright. The new coach at DePaul can make about $785,000 annually. At UR, Wainwright's package is worth about $400,000 a year.

When Wainwright came to UR in 2002, Miller was a one-man search committee. That will presumably be the case if Wainwright, a Chicago-area native, leaves. Richmond's search could include North Carolina assistant Steve Robinson, the former Florida State and Tulsa head coach who is a Roanoke native; and North Carolina State assistant Larry Hunter, a former Ohio University head coach.

"The 'short list' is a list that stays short, but [whose members] may rotate," Miller said. "There may be a dozen names that rotate through a short list. Some move up and some move down."

Contact John O'Connor at (804) 649-6233 or joconnor@timesdispatch.com

This is cache, read story here