Busy day at the HD World Headquarters – a few things that I’ve heard…

• Multiple sources are reporting that NC State associate head coach Bobby Lutz is emerging as a front runner at Appalachian State. The long-time UNC Charlotte head coach has been on the staff at NC State for the past three seasons. Other names that I’ve heard here are Virginia assistant Ritchie McKay, and VMI head coach Duggar Baucom. Sounds like this search could be wrapped up before the Final Four in Dallas next week.

• A hot name at Jacksonville right now is Wichita State assistant Greg Heiar. He is the former head coach at Chipola JC (FL) where he compiled a 164-15 record in five seasons. Before joining the Shockers staff in 2011, he was an assistant at Southern Mississippi. I still like my original JU list from 3/18 (http://hoopdirt.com/blog/c9a963aa/jacksonville-rumors/…).

• Last night, I mentioned Jay Ladner as being a “hot” name at Southeastern Louisiana (http://hoopdirt.com/blog/bb901dd2/southeastern-louisiana-rum…) . He still definitely is – maybe moving towards the “scorching” territory, but I have also heard that Northwestern State assistant Jeff Moore is involved here. He is a Louisiana native who has been at NSU for the past eight seasons.

• I’ve been told by two separate sources that another name needs to be added to the Montana State list (http://hoopdirt.com/blog/a8bf2368/montana-state-rumors/…). It sounds like Oregon assistant Brian Fish is also involved here. Fish has worked with Oregon head coach Dana Altman at two other stops – Creighton and Marshall. He also spent time working for Billy Tubbs at TCU.

• Mercer head coach Bob Hoffman interviewed for the South Florida job before it was offered to Manhattan’s Steve Masiello. No word on whether Hoffman still remains a candidate.

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