MSU is continuing its search for a new football head coach, but no front-runners have been announced.

Officials have remained tight-lipped about the hiring process, despite rumors the university has interviewed three coaches for the position.

On Nov. 1, university administrators announced MSU football head coach John L. Smith would not return next season.

The Detroit News reported Friday that MSU's selection committee interviewed Central Michigan football head coach Brian Kelly, Florida defensive coordinator Charlie Strong and Louisiana State defensive coordinator Bo Pelini.

On Saturday, Kelly denied being interviewed for the position at MSU, adding he had not even been contacted by the university, The Detroit News reported.

Steve Orlando, a spokesman for the University of Florida, said Strong also had not been interviewed by MSU, although he could not confirm if he had been contacted by the university. Louisiana State officials could not be reached Sunday.

MSU officials said they would not confirm, deny or react to any rumors about football head coach candidates.

The selection committee is looking at the widest and best possible pool of candidates for the position, Denbow said, but would not provide specifics about candidates the university is reviewing.

"Our search is based on doing things as well as we can, as soon as we can," Denbow said.

He added that officials are looking for a variety of opinions — including those of men's basketball head coach Tom Izzo —in the hiring of a new coach.

"There's a lot of consultation, a lot of reaching out and a lot of internal and external expertise being brought to it," Denbow said. "This is going to be an inclusive search."

In the next few days, MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon will announce the characteristics officials are looking for in a new head coach and describe the hiring process, Denbow said.

"Obviously, the goal will be to improve the total football program," Trustee Don Nugent said, adding that it will start with the selection of the right person for the coaching job.

Nugent also would not specify what the university is looking for in a new head coach.

George Perles, who was MSU football's head coach from 1983-94 and will serve on the MSU Board of Trustees starting in January, said the new coach should be familiar with the state and university. But, he added, the coach shouldn't encounter many problems if he or she is coming from outside the Big Ten.

"They just won't know the territory," Perles said. "Recruiting is a big part of it and knowing people who are in the territory."

Ideally, the new coach would know a lot about the university and be a great recruiter and disciplinarian, Perles said.

"We all run the same plays, but discipline is a big part of it," he said.

Holly Klaft can be reached at klafthol@msu.edu.