According to multiple sources, two of the leading candidates for the Northern Illinois job have withdrawn their names. Gonzaga assistant Ray Giacoletti and Purdue associate head coach Paul Lusk are believed to have both decided to focus on other opportunities (they are both linkled to the Bradley and Loyola jobs as well). Also, I’ve heard that Clemson associate head coach Rick Ray has interviewed for the job. He was an assistant at NIU from 2004-2006 and is a midwest guy. Indiana assistant Tim Buckley, Michigan State associate head coach Mark Montgomery, and South Dakota State head coach Scott Nagy are all believed to still be in play here.