This is the second time in three months that Addazio has been linked to high-profile coaching vacancies. He was mentioned as a possible candidate for the Illinois job after Ron Zook was fired in November.
Addazio, however, stated that he wasn't interested in the Illinois job and wanted to remain in the Northeast, close to his hometown of Farmington, Conn.
Even without Addazio, the Rutgers coaching search appears to be moving at a rapid pace with Wednesday's national signing day fast approaching. Rutgers athletic director Tim Pernetti has said he would like to hire a coach by Wednesday to keep the 2012 recruiting class intact.
Kyle Flood, who was named Rutgers' interim coach after Schiano's departure, was interviewed for the permanant head position on Saturday, according to an Associated Press report.
Addazio has been busy with recruiting, according to Temple officials, and could not be reached for comment. He even hosted several recruits this weekend at Temple's North Broad Street campus.
Commitments. Bret Niederreither, a defensive lineman at Red Land High, and Jamie Gilmore, a running back at North Marion (Fla.), gave oral commitments on Sunday to play football at Temple.
The two seniors were on official visits to the Owls' North Broad Street campus this weekend.
Niederreither, a 6-foot-3, 250-pounder, originally, gave an oral commitment to West Virginia. But he changed his mind after West Virginia defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel resigned to coach at Arizona under Rich Rodriguez.
Niederreither also had an offer from Kent State.
Gilmore, a 5-8, 185-pound speedster who is rated the nation's ninth-best all-purpose back by Rivals.com., had 14 scholarship offers. He chose the Owls over Western Kentucky and South Florida.
Contact staff writer Keith Pompey at 610-313-7081 or kpompey@phillynews.com. Follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/pompeysgridlock Read his blog at www.philly.com/OwlsInq
