Barnett, Bellotti Stay Atop List of Candidates for UCLA Job

The list of those interested in the vacant UCLA head coaching job continues to grow. But although Athletic Director Peter Dalis has been flooded with calls about the position, his own list of those under consideration remains constant.

It appears there are six viable candidates, not necessarily listed below in order of preference:

--Northwestern Coach Gary Barnett. Having turned down the Georgia job, Barnett is negotiating with his own school on a new contract. If those talks don’t go well, look for Barnett to come to Southern California with more on his mind than the Rose Bowl.

--Oregon Coach Mike Bellotti. He told his athletic director, Bill Moos, on Monday that he is interested in signing a new contract to remain with the Ducks. But until he actually signs, UCLA remains interested.

--Kansas State Coach Bill Snyder. His contract carries him through 2002. He’s attractive to the Bruins because of his Southern California roots. Sources close to Snyder say he would probably be interested in coming back.

--Denver Bronco defensive coordinator Greg Robinson. A former UCLA assistant, he says he would be interested in talking to Dalis. Denver Coach Mike Shanahan said he would grant permission for Dalis to talk Robinson only if the Broncos are eliminated from postseason consideration.

--UCLA defensive coordinator Bob Field and offensive coordinator Bob Toledo. Both want the job and both will get a hearing.