Turner Gill to Kansas Update

BUFFALO (WIVB) - UPDATE:  The Kansas City Star is reporting Monday that Mississippi coach Houston Nutt is interested in the Kansas head coaching position.  That would be serious competition for U.B. coach Turner Gill.  The Bulls boss is believed to have interviewed for the position Sunday in New York City.  Sources tell News 4 that Gill was in Buffalo Sunday morning, finishing off a football recruiting weekend.  Kansas athletic director Lew Perkins was due in New York City for Tuesday's National Football Foundation Awards lunchon on Tuesday. 

Nutt is a  biger name, more prominent coach than Gill.  He has a 92-56 career record at Arkansas and Ole Miss.  Its not clear why he would want out of Mississippi, where he's been for the past two seasons and earns $2.5 million a year.

CBS Sports reported Saturday that Gill would meet with Kansas Sunday. He's believed to be the first interview conducted since Mark Mangino resigned Thursday.  ABC Sports reported Saturday that Gill is believed to be the leading candidate to take over the Jayhawks.

Gill appears to be interested in Kansas for a number of reasons.  They play in the Big 12 Conference, where Gill played and coached while at Nebraska.  The Jayhawks recruit heavily in Texas, where Gill grew up and continues to successfully find players.  Gill's oldest daughter also attends Kansas.

It would be a big step-up for Gill, to go to a major program like Kansas.  U.B. can't compete with the Jayhawks facilities, or the amount of money they wound play him.

Getting out of his Buffalo contract is not an issue.  It has just a $200,000 dollar buyout, which would be picked up by Kansas.