KJR radio host Dave "Softy" Mahler is hosting a UW football round-table at 11 a.m. today.

I'll be participating along with Bob Condotta of the Times and Molly Yanity of the P-I.

It'll be on 950-AM, or you can listen online from the KJR site.

Once again, there was no official UW word on the coaching search today -- and in fact search committee member Jake Locker said he's as curious about what's going on as anyone.

However, reports did come from various corners of the country that could impact UW's options and ultimate decision:

Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, named Tuesday as Big 12 Conference coach of the year, was reported in Texas and Washington as having been in Seattle and interviewing for the UW job. However, Tech athletic director Gerald Myers said he is preparing a raise and a contract extension.

Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly -- who seemed a top UW candidate for about 12 hours -- now says that he will remain with the Bearcats, thanks in part to the university’s commitment to improve the football stadium.

Oregon announced Tuesday that coach Mike Bellotti eventually will become athletic director while offensive coordinator Chip Kelly moves up to head coach. (See blog post below.)

But even as Oregon’s news closes the door to Kelly it could open a window -- perhaps just a crack -- to Boise State coach Chris Petersen, who was honored this week as Western Athletic Conference coach of the year. Petersen has said he plans to stay in Boise. And he repeated that this week in connection to the new opening at Mississippi State. However, there had been speculation that he might have been waiting for the Oregon job to come open. With that job now filled, he could reassess UW’s possible place in his career plans.

Clemson has decided to keep interim coach Dabo Swinney on full time. Swinney was never in UW plans, but the decision removes Clemson from the list of possible competitors for other candidates.

The Salt Lake Tribune reports that Utah officials are interested in working out a new deal to keep hot-property coach Kyle Whittingham.

Finally, Wednesday is the one of the hot-rumored days for the coronation of Jim Mora as Huskies coach. However, even if that time element passes uneventfully, there is no indication that the Mora talk will pass with it. Several new reports, rumors or speculations arose Tuesday ... some certain he’s in, some certain he’s out.

Basketball coach Lorenzo Romar said today that freshman forward Tyreese Breshers has begun half-court practices and could start full-court work in the next week or so.

Breshers missed all of camp and the first six games recovering from a shin injury.

There is no indication that the new timetable dooms Breshers to a season of redshirting, and in fact Romar went out of his way to say that he thinks Breshers can help this season.

The Huskies return to action at 8 p.m. Thursday when Oklahoma State visits Hec Ed as part of the Big 12/Pac-10 Hardwood Series.

Oregon announced this afternoon that coach Mike Bellotti will become athletic director while offensive coordinator Chip Kelly moving up to the head coaching. The timing isn't apparently settled yet.

Kelly had been on my original list as someone the Huskies might be interested in, although his name didn't gain much speculative traction, and now he seems clearly out of the picture.

However, the Oregon events could impact UW in yet another way. It had been reported that Boise State coach Chris Petersen might have been cooling his heels with the Broncos until the Oregon job came open. With that job now filled, Petersen might reassess how Washington fits into his career plans.

Here is the full news release from the University of Oregon:

EUGENE, Ore. -- (Dec. 2, 2008) -- University of Oregon President Dave Frohnmayer and Athletics Director Pat Kilkenny today announced their succession plan for several key positions in the UO athletics department. Frohnmayer said he intends to promote Mike Bellotti, head football coach, to athletics director when Pat Kilkenny steps down from the position at a time yet to be determined. When that occurs, Chip Kelly, offensive coordinator for the UO football program, will assume the role of head coach.

Frohnmayer underscored the importance of developing a succession plan that will allow the athletics department to maintain its financial, academic and competitive success. “Today I’m announcing a transition plan to assure the athletics department continues its momentum as one of the premier programs in the country. I am grateful Mike and Chip will continue to serve the university, the athletics department and the football program. While the exact timing of the changes is yet to be determined, I wanted to announce the intended changes to establish the future direction of the department,” Frohnmayer said.

“I could not be happier that Mike Bellotti has agreed to assume management of the athletics department once Pat decides to step down. Mike has vision, proven leadership ability and an understanding of what makes Oregon special. This combination will help continue to make the department one of the most successful in the nation.”

Under Kilkenny’s leadership, the athletics department has reached new heights. He has led successful efforts to reinstate baseball and build a new baseball stadium. He has reinvigorated plans to build a new basketball arena, and he helped establish the Legacy Fund, using generous private gifts to take Duck athletics from being self-sufficient to become self-sustaining.

“Pat has accomplished an extraordinary amount in the time he has been at the University of Oregon. My goal is to establish a plan for an orderly transition so when he leaves, the Athletics Department will be able to continue to thrive. He has served the University of Oregon with great distinction and we are deeply indebted to he and Stephanie. I know that Mike Bellotti will be able to take the department to even greater heights on the field and in the classroom thanks to Pat’s efforts,” Frohnmayer continued.

“Dave Frohnmayer and I have been discussing the future of Oregon athletics since I joined the university,” Kilkenny said. “I am pleased we are able to announce Mike will remain at Oregon once his storied coaching career concludes. I am confident that Chip will be a highly successful leader of our football program.”

The longest-tenured head football coach in the Pacific-10 Conference, Bellotti has accumulated a record of 115-55 (.676) in 14 seasons at Oregon while guiding the program to 12 bowl appearances. Bellotti is tied for fourth all time in conference wins and has won more than any other Oregon football coach. His 106-52 ledger as the Ducks’ head coach (127-77-2 overall) makes him the sixth coach in conference history to win 100 games at one school, while his winning percentage of 67.1 percent trails only Hugo Bezdek (72.7%—1906, 1913-17) among Oregon’s all-time mentors who coached the Ducks a minimum of three seasons. Included is this year’s 9-3 record and no worse than a second-place tie in the Pac-10 following Saturday’s 65-38 win at Oregon State.

University of Oregon offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will succeed Mike Bellotti as the Ducks’ head football coach when Bellotti decides to step down as head coach of a program he has led to national prominence.

Kelly has masterminded the Ducks’ offensive attack for the past two seasons as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach following eight years as offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach at New Hampshire.

Since his arrival in Eugene, Kelly has succeeded in transforming Oregon’s spread offense into one of the most prolific offensive units in college football. The Ducks currently rank fourth in the country in rushing offense (277.8-yard avg.), seventh in scoring offense (41.9-point avg.) and eighth in total offense (478.2-yard avg.).

“This is an incredible opportunity for me and I am honored to be named the head coach designate for one of the elite programs in the nation,” Kelly said. “I appreciate the confidence that President Frohnmayer, Pat Kilkenny and Mike Bellotti have bestowed on me.”

“It means so much to me to be entrusted with carrying on the great tradition of Oregon football. To succeed someone as successful and accomplished as Mike Bellotti when he retires from coaching is not only a great honor but also a tremendous challenge. Until he retires as head coach, we will continue our pursuit of a Pac-10 and national championship, and continue to provide a student-athlete experience that is second to none. I am thrilled to be staying at Oregon and in a special place with special people.”

Frohnmayer said he would use the intent-to-promote process once timing of the transition is finalized. The promotions are subject to approval by the University of Oregon’s Office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity.

Jake Locker said he got the stitches out of his thumb one week ago and that he has started rehab. That seems to primarily mean working on range of motion, which became limited while his thumb was in a cast for eight weeks.

He said that early prognosis of a mid-November return was wishful thinking that went away when the injury proved to be a little more serious than expected. However -- while he won't be playing Saturday -- he said that he expects to be fully ready for spring ball.

Regarding that other topic -- the UW coaching search -- Locker said he is as curious as anyone else. He also said that he has faith in athletic director Scott Woodward. And he added that he thinks this team might benefit from a more fiery coach

"We need a guy that will kind of get up and get in your face and might challenge you more outwardly," he said.

Washington sophomore DB Victor Aiyewa (3.67 Pre-Science) was named today to the Pac-10 All-Academic first team.

Junior DB Tripper Johnson (3.25 Arts & Sciences) was named to the second team.

Sophomore OT Cody Habben, junior FB Paul Homer, Jr.; senior PK Ryan Perkins and sophomore FB Austin Sylvester received honorable mention.

Here's the full Pac-10 release.

Scratch one more name off the UW coaching search.

Cincinnati's Brian Kelly said today that he will remain with the Bearcats, thanks in part to their commitment to improve the football stadium.

Here's an update from TNT reporter Eric Williams about the university's Monday pitch for $150 million in tax dollars to help with the proposed renovation of Husky Stadium.