Report: Butch Davis A Top Candidate At FIU
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Former Florida International University head coach Mario Cristobal's chair isn't even cold yet, but the focus of the coaching search is turning to a familiar face on South Florida sidelines.
Cristobal was shockingly fired earlier Wednesday after FIU struggled to a 3-9 record this year. Now, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, former University of Miami head coach Butch Davis has emerged as a top candidate to replace Cristobal.
Davis' name was mentioned as a possibility by other writers including Bruce Feldman of CBSSports.com.
Davis worked with FIU athletic director Pete Garcia from 1995-2000, according to the Sun-Sentinel. The duo put together the team's 2001 national champion squad.
Davis was last seen on college sidelines at the University of North Carolina where he left in disgrace after accusations of academic fraud and coaches funneling players to agents. UNC has already been hit by the NCAA once and could face more punishment as the academic scandal widens.
While Davis would likely be a popular hire among some FIU alumni, others are angry at the way Cristobal was treated. Cristobal took a team that was winless the year before he arrived to a bowl game in the 2010 and 2011 seasons.
FIU is set to move to Conference USA starting next season.
