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Two weeks after the legendary Texas Longhorns baseball coach Augie Garrido relinquished his duties and took a position as a special assistant to athletic director Mike Perrin, new candidates continue to emerge as high-profile targets remove their respective names from consideration with public statements or by accepting contract extensions.
On Sunday, it was Virginia Cavaliers coach Brian O'Connor who issued a statement via Twitter:
— Brian O'Connor (@UVACoachOConnor) June 12, 2016
A source had told Horns247 that O'Connor was a top candidate for the open position at Texas and had interest in the job. Now it appears that he's the fourth coach to come off the board for Perrin, joining TCU's Jim Schlossnagle, Louisville's Dan McDonnell, and Florida's Kevin O'Sullivan. Of the original five coaches mentioned by Burnt Orange Nation after Garrido stepped aside, only Tulane's David Pierce remains as an option, though O'Sullivan could be an option once again after Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley announced his intent to retire effective October 1.
And though information coming out on the job search hasn't proven particularly accurate so far, the Austin American-Statesman is reporting on Monday that Texas has "expressed interest" in 57-year-old Pat Casey, currently the head coach at Oregon State.
A two-time national champion after winning the College World Series in 2006 and 2007, Casey is something of an institution in Corvallis, having helmed the Beavers since 1995.