Price, Washington State AD, confirm overture from UCLA

Sunday December 15, 2002

PULLMAN, Wash. (AP) UCLA has requested permission to speak to Washington State football coach Mike Price about its vacant coaching position.

Price and Washington State athletic director Jim Sterk confirmed Friday that UCLA had contacted the school.

UCLA fired Bob Toledo on Monday, two days after the Cougars beat the Bruins 48-27 and clinched a berth in the Rose Bowl.

On Friday, Washington coach Rick Neuheisel, who played for UCLA and got his coaching start there, said he was not interested in the job.

Price and Sterk issued a joint statement Friday confirming that UCLA, but not Alabama, has requested permission to speak with Price.

Alabama is looking to replace Dennis Franchione, who left for Texas A&M.

The 56-year-old Price received a contract extension in mid-September. He guided the Cougars to their second Rose Bowl in six seasons and consecutive 10-2 records.

Price has been head coach at WSU for 14 seasons. His five-year contract, which runs through June 30, 2007, has a provision that adds a year after each winning season, meaning the contract now extends to June 30, 2008.

(Copyright 2002 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)