Guess Who Came To Dinner Price Unearthed In Minnesota Talking With Gophers

Mike Price to Boston College? Don’t bet on it.

Mike Price to the University of Minnesota? That rumor may be more than just food for thought.

On the same day Price was quoted in a Boston Globe article as saying he’s “certainly not out there looking around” for another job, the eighth-year Washington State coach turned up in the Twin Cities and was reportedly seen eating dinner with Minnesota athletic director Mark Dienhart.

Dienhart has said recently he is spending “99.9 percent” of his time searching for a football coach to replace Jim Wacker, who resigned three weeks ago.

Midwest Sports Channel reporter Mike Max said he approached Dienhart and Price while the two were having dinner Tuesday night, and both refused to comment.

Price did not return phone messages left at his WSU office, and WSU athletic director Rick Dickson did not return a phone message left at his Pullman residence.

Dienhart, reached Tuesday night at his home in St. Paul, would neither confirm nor deny Price’s candidacy.

The Globe reported Tuesday morning that Price had become a candidate to replace former BC coach Dan Henning, who resigned last week in the wake of a gambling scandal.

But Price downplayed the BC rumor.

“I’m real happy right now at Washington State,” Price told the Globe. “I’ve got a hell of a team coming back.

“I’ve got a good job here and I’m certainly not out there looking around, but I would definitely be flattered if my name came up.”

As part of Price’s contract, which has four years remaining, prospective employers reportedly must receive permission from Dickson before contacting Price. Dickson, speaking through the WSU sports information office early Tuesday, said BC had not contacted him.

Price was hired by WSU in March 1989, when Jim Livengood was athletic director. After leading the Cougars to victory in the 1994 Alamo Bowl, Price signed a five-year extension offered by Dickson.

Price, 43-47 overall at WSU and 5-6 this season, was included on a lengthy list of potential candidates for the Minnesota job shortly after Wacker resigned.

Burns trades in wardrobe

If Greg Burns didn’t look quite the same Tuesday, it probably had something to do with that University of Idaho sweatsuit.

The former WSU cornerback (1991-95) was hired last week to coach cornerbacks at Idaho, making this his last week as an academic counselor at his alma mater.

And while the 24-year-old is eager to tackle his new job, he’ll need time to adjust.

“I’ve got all WSU clothes in my closet,” he lamented.

Burns replaces Eric Yarber, who left to coach receivers at UNLV.

Fresno State tabs Hill

Pat Hill, an assistant coach with the Baltimore Ravens, returned to Fresno State as the successor to his former boss, Jim Sweeney, who retired. Hill, 44, was Fresno State’s recruiting coordinator and offensive line coach from 1984-89.

Maryland to hire Vanderlinden

Maryland will name Northwestern defensive coordinator Ron Vanderlinden as its head coach at a news conference today. Vanderlinden, 40, received a five-year contract to replace Mark Duffner, who was dismissed last week.

, DataTimes The following fields overflowed: BYLINE = Mike Sando Staff writer The Associated Press contributed to this report.