Some things never change

IOWA CITY -- In the "flinging stuff on the wall and seeing if it sticks" round of Penn State's coaching search, Iowa's Kirk Ferentz has had his name come up in a couple of places.

Just days after Joe Paterno was fired, ESPN's Joe Schad threw Ferentz's name into the hopper. Last Sunday, the New York Times named about 20 coaches as possibilities and put Ferentz in the "could end up in the mix" category.

"For what? President?" Ferentz joked after being asked about the Times' reference. "Fixing the economy since I said put money in the bank? Spend what you have and don't borrow beyond your means.

"The happiest moment in the world was when I got extended from one year to two in Cleveland [as an assistant coach]. That's when I knew I wasn't going to get stuck with a mortgage in Maine [where Ferentz was head coach before moving to the Cleveland Browns]. That was like liberation day."

Ferentz was asked if his agent, Neil Cornrich of Cleveland, Ohio, had been contacted by Penn State.

"I have absolutely no idea. If they have, I have no knowledge," said Ferentz, who's no stranger to having his name attached to coaching searches. ". . . I have a great job, as I have always said. I feel fortunate to be here."

The Washington Post has reported that Penn State reached out to Virginia head coach Mike London.

USA Today published a database of college football coaches at FBS public institutions. Ferentz ranked fifth, up from No. 7, with a $3.78-million pay package. The paper also he has the most generous potential bonus payout -- $1.75 million -- of the top 15 highest paid coaches.