After spending last week sorting through possible candidates and applications, USF Athletics Director Lee Roy Selmon’s search for a head coach of the men’s basketball team reached mid-stride this week.

Selmon spent most of his weekend traveling throughout the country and talking with possible candidates.

“Over the course of the past weekend I had the opportunity to talk with several candidates who are interested in our men’s basketball position,” Selmon said. “The conversations reaffirmed that USF presents an outstanding opportunity, and I came away very impressed with the level of interest and the quality of the coaches who are interested. Furthermore, quality candidates continue to be recommended from around the country.”

Among the candidates that Selmon has spoken with or was given permission to speak with were USF assistant coach David Zimroth; Scott Rigot, an assistant at the University of Kentucky and Dave Dickerson, an assistant at the University of Maryland.

Florida assistant Anthony Grant was one of the first candidates to speak with Selmon but has pulled his name out of the running.

Another name to leave the list of possible replacements to Seth Greenberg is Todd Lickliter, who recently signed a contract extension to remain the coach at Butler through 2010.

With two names crossed off his list, Selmon continues to scour the nation for a new coach.

“I have asked for permission to talk to several candidates from other universities, and frankly I have not talked to all of those for whom I’ve sought permission,” Selmon said.

One of the coaches that he has reached permission to speak with was Rigot.

“There have been discussions between Coach (Tubby) Smith and Selmon regarding Scott Rigot,” a representative from Kentucky said.

Rigot has been a member of the Wildcat staff for one season after replacing Mike Sutton, who moved on to Tennessee Tech.

Rigot has 16 years of coaching experience, but has never been a head coach at the Division I level.

Dickerson and Robert McCullum of Western Michigan both declined comment on any situation with USF.

Last week Dickerson said in a statement, “I’m flattered to be mentioned when people discuss different openings. The opportunity at South Florida would be intriguing.”

Dickerson has been an assistant with the Terrapins since 1996 and has recruited three 2002 draft picks: Chris Wilcox, Juan Dixon and Lonny Baxter.

McCullum has coached the Broncos for two seasons and led them to a 17-win season and a 10-8 record in the Mid-American Conference this past season.

Even though Selmon said he has had discussions either directly with candidates or discussions to seek permission to interview them, he would not release any names.

“At the present time, out of respect to those coaches I have met with and their personal wishes, I feel it would bee inappropriate to go into specifics of their identity and our conversations at this time,” Selmon said. “As the situation warrants and more specific information is appropriate, I will discuss the matter in greater detail.”