Contrary to negative media reports and public opinion, the Gophers football coaching search is likely more positive than is being portrayed.  Also, don’t be surprised if a head coach, someone with previous college head coaching experience, is announced within two weeks.

Gophers fans have been told that several coaches who previously have been linked with the Minnesota job are not interested.  Some probably are not, but Sports Headliners believes the search is progressing successfully and coach Tim Brewster’s successor could be announced by mid-December.

Don’t be too concerned that a large contract buyout will sideline the Gophers and a candidate who wants to come here.  Minnesota probably can handle a buyout situation of $1 million or more needed to get a coach free from his existing contract.

Gophers athletic director Joel Maturi will make the hiring decision on the new coach with input from a few advisors.  Maturi will take his recommendation to school President Bob Bruininks.  It’s not known whether Eric Kaler, who will take over as president next year, will have input.

Among candidates most prominently rumored to be on the Minnesota short list, San Diego State’s Brady Hoke and Temple’s Al Golden could be front runners.  Both have Big Ten Conference backgrounds and that is a welcome qualification for the job by Maturi.

Timing is always a major factor during a personnel search.  South Florida’s Skip Holtz likely would have been a prime candidate a year ago before he left East Carolina.  Holtz’s team beat Miami last Saturday and he has an impressive resume but he’s an improbable candidate for Minnesota having been on the South Florida job for such a short duration.

Also regarding timing, Michigan’s coaching puzzle could be in Minnesota’s favor.  If the Wolverines job opens, Hoke is likely on the school’s short list because of his success at San Diego State and previous experience as associate head coach at Michigan.

A second potential ownership group for an NFL team in Los Angeles has contacted the Vikings, according to Lester Bagley.  The Vikings’ vice president of public affairs and new stadium development leader talked with Sports Headliners yesterday.

The latest L.A. contact came recently from Anschutz Entertainment Group and its president Tim Leiweke.  AEG is a huge player in the Los Angeles sports and entertainment scene with ownership of the Los Angeles Kings, Staples Center and other entities.  Leiweke is the former marketing whiz with the Timberwolves who helped the franchise set attendance records years ago.

Bagley said the Vikings “are committed to resolving this issue in Minnesota.”  He acknowledged that the Vikings, whose lease at Mall of America Field expires after next season, are being watched with interest by AEG and another Los Angeles group headed by real estate developer Ed Roski.

The Vikings leadership two years ago toured the L.A. LIVE entertainment complex to learn what might be applicable to a sports and entertainment district in Minneapolis, so they are familiar with Leiweke. “Recently, Tim checked in with (Vikings) ownership to see where we stood and (to) express an interest, and let them know they’re serious. That they believe they have a viable proposal, and they’re trying to move stadium construction forward in Los Angeles,” Bagley said.

It’s accepted fact that Los Angeles will have an NFL team in the near future and Bagley said two teams are possible.  The huge Los Angeles market is important to the NFL and potential ownership could tap into an area that boasts companies and individuals able to spend millions on advertising, sponsorships, suites, radio-TV rights, stadium personal seat licenses and tickets.

Although there is not presently an NFL-ready stadium in Los Angeles, it’s possible a potential ownership group will build a stadium without a commitment from a team.  That stadium might be privately funded, avoiding the fight for public support.

Bagley said he thinks there is a commitment from Minnesota political leaders to develop legislation for a stadium and despite “overtures” from Los Angeles the Vikings ownership remains committed here.  During the last legislative session the Vikings were told to identify a specific “ideal” stadium site with costs, budget and “hopefully” some funding options.

Bagley said three “urban” sites and one suburban site are being considered, although he chose not to identify them.  One site is certainly the Mall of America Field which he acknowledged as being cost efficient.

It’s highly likely the stadium will have a fixed roof, according to Bagley.  An open-air stadium is too limited for multipurpose use and not appropriate for certain community activities or high profile attractions like a Super Bowl or Final Four.

He said a retractable roof stadium costs $50 to $70 million more than a fixed roof facility.  While not disclosing a stadium cost, Bagley said the new venue can’t be done on the cheap but also will not be extravagant.