Barnes in running for post at No. Illinois

Eastern Washington University athletic director Scott Barnes is one of three finalists for a similar position at Northern Illinois University.

Northern Illinois’ finalists are Barnes, Oregon State senior associate A.D. Kevin Anderson and Notre Dame senior associate A.D. James Phillips, according to an NIU release.

Barnes, a Spokane native, didn’t return phone messages Friday. He has been A.D. at EWU since 1999. He was A.D. at Humboldt State from 1997-99 and an associate A.D. and fund-raiser at Iowa State from 1994-97.

Barnes was previously involved in job searches at Colorado State and Fresno State. He interviewed at Fresno State, his alma mater, in December, 2001, before the job went to Scott Johnson. Barnes was one of 10 finalists to have a phone interview with Colorado State’s president roughly a year ago before the Rams selected Mark Driscoll.

Northern Illinois is replacing Cary Groth, who left in May to become A.D. at the University of Nevada.

The three finalists were selected from a pool of 70 candidates. A 12-member search committee interviewed seven semifinalists earlier this month before recommending three finalists.

“The quality of the entire pool was just incredible,” NIU president John Peters said. “It’s been gratifying to see such a high level of interest in NIU among such a large number of blue-chip athletic administrators.”

Barnes is expected to interview as early as next week on campus in Dekalb, Ill.

Peters wants to complete the search and make an announcement in 2-3 weeks.

Northern Illinois is a member of the Mid-American Conference.