As I mentioned a couple of days ago, those waiting for any official word from the UW on progress toward hiring a new athletic director will be waiting a long time.

As in, until the day one is hired.

Unlike has happened with previous searches at UW, the head of the search committee, Betsy Wilson, said she does not wish to comment publicly until the process is complete. And UW officials say they have no plans to discuss details of the search, such as ruling in or out rumored candidates, something that does sometimes happen at other schools --- WSU in the mid-90s brought the finalists in for public interviews with students, faculty and anyone who wanted to go.

Norm Arkans, a spokesman for the school, is apparently the only one who will make any public comment during the process.

Arkans said work is ongoing and the committee is meeting regularly. UW has also hired a search firm, Parker Executive Search, to help out. You'll notice the UW job remains at the top of the firm's listings for jobs in college athletics.

As for candidates, Bob Stull, now at UTEP and a former UW assistant football coach and assistant AD, remains the favorite of some of Husky old-guard faction. Former UW coach Don James gave Stull his endorsement during an interview on KJR-AM last week.

Dan Radakovich of Georgia Tech is a name that's been making the rounds and he makes some sense due to ties with UW president Mark Emmert. But he told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution today that he has not been contacted and is not interested in the job.

Other names that have been rumored who apparently are not in the mix are former Oregon AD Bill Moos and Duke associate AD Mike Cragg. Through his lawyer, Moos said this week he has not been contacted by UW or the search firm. Cragg, who is a UW graduate and a native of Yakima, said a few weeks ago that he will not apply, instead focusing on getting the vacant AD's job at Duke.

In this story a few weeks ago, I also listed a couple of other possible candidates, including former UW kicker Chuck Nelson. Since UW is using Parker, it's likely that candidates it has recommended for other jobs could also be recommended for this one should their be interest on both sides.

As for when a hire will be made, Emmert has said previously that he hoped it could happen by the end of the school year. But Arkans said there is no set timeline.

"That's a laudable goal, but that's not a deadline,'' he said. "The most important thing is to find the right person no matter how long it takes.''