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Source: Northern Illinois' Rod Carey likely front-runner for Temple coaching job

Temple still expects to have the coach hired by this weekend, and could interview candidates in Philadelphia as soon as Wednesday.

Northern Illinois coach Rod Carey appears to be a leading candidate for Temple's vacant head-coaching position.
Northern Illinois coach Rod Carey appears to be a leading candidate for Temple's vacant head-coaching position.Read moreLynne Sladky / AP

The scuttlebutt from the Football Coaches Convention is that Northern Illinois football coach Rod Carey is looked on extremely favorably by the administration as a candidate to be Temple’s next coach, according to a non-Temple source.

Several people told the source that Carey made a great impression and that they expected him to be the front-runner.

When asked about that, a Temple source wouldn’t comment, only to say that as of late Wednesday morning a coach hadn’t been selected.

Temple, according to the source, was planning to interview candidates in Philadelphia as early as Wednesday.

The Temple source reiterated what a different source told the Inquirer and Daily News on Tuesday, that the decision could come by the weekend if not sooner.

The Inquirer and Daily News first reported Temple’s interest in Carey, 47, who has taken NIU to five bowl games in six seasons.

Temple is looking to replace Manny Diaz, who replaced Geoff Collins on Dec. 12 only to resign on Dec. 30 to take the head-coaching position at Miami.

Temple has talked to several coaches, including Wisconsin offensive coordinator Joe Rudolph, a Temple source confirmed.