Central Michigan coach Butch Jones is in demand...I hate to think about this!

Last Updated: December 05. 2009 1:00AM
MAC championship: Notebook
Central Michigan coach Butch Jones is in demand

David Goricki / The Detroit News

Detroit -- Central Michigan coach Butch Jones accomplished what he set out to do this season, guiding the Chippewas to the Mid-American Conference championship with a 20-10 win over Ohio Friday night at Ford Field.

Now, Jones has a little bit of time to deal with possible job openings involving his name.

Jones downplayed talk of his name being considered for openings at Louisville and several other schools, including Virginia and Kansas, saying Thursday: "Like I said earlier this week, I have not talked to any other school."

Jones' stock has never been higher. CMU (11-2) could earn its first top 25 appearance with a bowl win. The Chippewas, who went 8-0 in MAC play for the first time in school history, will find out which bowl they will play in Sunday (8 p.m., FOX).

"When you win people take notice because you don't win by chance," Jones said. "It's a compliment to our program the players, coaches, everyone involved."

Jones is 27-13 in three years in Mount Pleasant, leading the Chippewas to a 22-3 mark against conference opponents.

Ironically, it was Brian Kelly who guided the Chippewas to a 31-10 win over Ohio the last time the teams played in the MAC championship game at Ford Field in 2006.

Kelly left CMU before the '06 Motor City Bowl to take the job at Cincinnati, then led the Bearcats to a win over Western Michigan just weeks later in the International Bowl.

Kelly's No. 5 Bearcats are playing at Pittsburgh this afternoon in an attempt to win consecutive Big East titles. Kelly is one of the leading candidates for the opening at Notre Dame. If Kelly gets the job, expect Jones to be a candidate for the Cincinnati job.

Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong has emerged as the leading candidate for the Louisville job according to the Louisville Courier-Journal, with Jones and former Tennessee head coach Phil Fulmer still in the discussion.

Central athletics director Dave Heeke said before Friday's kickoff he had not been contacted by any athletic directors for permission to talk to Jones.

He understands their interest in him.

"He's a great coach and he's been successful," Heeke said of Jones. "They (BCS athletic directors) know how difficult it is to be successful at this level because the coaches have to do it with less."

When asked if he has a short list of names just in case Jones departs, Heeke replied, "{It's a tough time for athletic directors right now.

"Sure, I have that 'What if' scenario, not necessarily a short list though."

Brown's decision
Jones' decision to stay or leave CMU could affect Antonio Brown 's decision.

Brown, a junior wide receiver, is the nation's active career leader in receptions (292) and one of the most dangerous threats in the college game.

Brown grabbed eight passes for 66 yards in the MAC title game and is just 25 receptions away from breaking the Division 1 record owned by Taylor Stubblefield (Purdue, 316).

"I haven't thought about that decision," Brown said of possibility passing up his senior season to enter the NFL draft. "I'll take a look at my options after the season and make the best decision for me.

"I give God the glory for my numbers. I just go out and do my assignments and let the numbers take care of themselves."

Jones recruited Brown while an assistant at West Virginia.

"I would have went to West Virginia if he stayed there," Brown said of Jones. "He's been a great role model for me.

"He's been like a father figure, a person I could depend on and trust. He's demanded the most out of me and developed me as a person as well as a player."

Great senior class
Quarterback Dan LeFevour and the senior class could depart with as many wins as any other senior class in Central history. The Chippewas have 37 victories with the MAC title win, one shy of the record held by the 1980 class (38).

CMU's senior class also has 30 wins against MAC opponents, ranking No. 2 in MAC history behind Marshall's earlier this decade (31, 2000).

david.goricki@detnews.com