Update on coaching search from Iowa AD Gary Barta himself

Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta and associate athletics director Fred Mims flew to Cincinnati and back today presumably to interview a couple of candidates from that region.

The plane, which was registered to Cedar Rapids' TrueNorth Companies, left Iowa City's airport at 7:07 a.m. It returned at 4:56 p.m. I sat and waited for them for about 90 minutes to see if maybe there's some new information available about the coaching search.

The answer? Not really.

When Barta and Mims walked to their cars, I approached Barta and was greeted warmly (or sarcastically, take your pick). I asked if he had time to talk and he said, "No. Nothing new. Nothing new."  Then he walked to his vehicle and left.

As for flying to Cincinnati, that location makes make sense because it's about 50 miles from Dayton, where two potential candidates reside. (And a flight to Dayton would give away all intentions).

Former Michigan State assistant coach Brian Gregory coaches the Dayton Flyers, which are 23-12 this year and advanced to the NIT semifinals by beating Illinois last night. Wright State also is located in Dayton, and Coach Brad Brownell could be a prospect with a 20-12 record. I suppose you could consider Cincinnati Coach Mick Cronin, whose team was 18-15 this year.

I suppose you could lump in Louisville Coach Rick Pitino as a possibility as well, but I don't believe it myself and you're pretty gullible if you do.