Rose to Houston? Pure speculation

When a college fires a coach or a coach quits, it’s amazing at how quickly rumors begin about who that university will go after or who might want the job. With Tom Penders resigning Monday as the head basketball coach at Houston after six seasons, some immediately began speculating that Houston would go after former player Dave Rose, from the Phi Slamma Jamma days, who just finished his fifth season as the head coach at BYU, and who just signed a contract extension at the beginning of this just-completed season. There was a time, when Rose was an assistant coach, when he wanted the Houston job. But with a new contract at BYU and with a promising team coming back next year, and for the next few years, Houston would have to throw a bunch of money Rose’s way to lure him out of Provo. Most likely, with Rose’s new deal, taking the Houston job would not be a move up.
From everything I’ve been able to find, there is nothing confirmed that Houston has even contacted Rose or BYU. Actually, the last I saw from Houston’s side was that officials there had not contacted anyone, or had any discussions with anyone about the new opening. Most speculation is that former UTEP, Texas A&M and Kentucky coach Billy Gillispie will be first on Houston’s radar because of his relationship with Houston athletic director Mack Rhoades. The two coached together at UTEP. Texas assistant Rodney Terry’s name has also been thrown out there. Two other names out there who seem to have the support of Houston booster are Sam Houston State coach Bob Marlin and Villanova assistant Chris Walker.
I contacted BYU officials Monday and the only word I got was that Rose was unavailable, and that he would not be available until Tuesday. So, maybe we’ll know more then.
Here’s a link to a blog from Houston Chronicle writer Steve Campbell, who cover Houston basketball, on possible replacements for Pender, and Rose is not on his list:
ReplacingPender