Reports: Chris Petersen not interested in USC job; James Franklin still a top candidate

Chris Petersen, a California native, is 92-12 in eight seasons at Boise State. (Idaho Statesman via Getty Images)

Boise State coach Chris Petersen has withdrawn from consideration for the USC coaching job, according to ESPN's Joe Schad.

Vanderbilt coach James Franklin, along with Washington coach Steve Sarkisian, remain candidates for the job, which is expected to be filled sometime this week. Franklin and Petersen had been viewed as the favorites.

Petersen has been one of the hottest names in coaching rumors for the better part of the last decade. He has guided Boise State to two BCS bowl wins — the 2007 and 2010 Fiesta Bowl. The Broncos are 8-4 this season, the first time in Petersen's eight-year tenure they won't post double-digit wins.

Franklin has impressed in turning around a lackluster Vanderbilt program in his three years at the school, winning 23 games. The Commodores have posted two consecutive winning seasons after enjoying only one winning season from 1982 to the start of Franklin's tenure.

USC fired head coach Lane Kiffin in late September after an early-morning flight back to Los Angeles.

Kiffin said recently that he thought the Trojans should hire interim coach Ed Orgeron permanently. According to Schad, USC has "made it known" that it would like Orgeron to stay on board in some role. USC went 6-2 under Orgeron.

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