It’s been just a week since the departure of baseball coach Eddie Cardieri, and the Athletic Department is ready to move on.

As of late Tuesday, the USF baseball coach opening was posted on the University’s Web site and the Athletic Department has already received nearly two dozen applications from coaches all around the country.

Among the applicants, is Bulls’ pitching coach Nelson North.

“I do feel I’m qualified for the job,” said North, who spent six seasons under Cardieri. “I think that the recruits here and the ones coming in are confident in me, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

North has had his hand in many recruits of late, including pitcher Casey Hudspeth, who has been drafted twice by major league teams.

North also knows just how valuable a job opening like this one is.

“I think it’s a prime job,” North said. “Nationally, (USF) is a good school with a great location for baseball talent. Almost a baseball mecca for high school talent. I think that it’s very attractive because you can stay in Hillsborough and do a lot of recruiting, and then even go about the rest of state for more talent.”

Of the number of applicants, others who stand out are Maryland coach Terry Rupp, University of Tampa coach Joe Urso and St. Petersburg College coach Dave Pano.

Rupp’s application could lead to a reunion with North. The two won a Division II National Championship in 1998 for the Spartans.

North, however, when asked if he would stay on as pitching coach for Rupp or maybe even Urso, claimed he didn’t know what his decision would be.

“I’d have to see,” North said. “I’d have to see what direction I would want to go and what other jobs were out there.”

Another name making a bit of splash is FSU assistant coach Jamey Shouppe, who has been with the Seminoles for 16 seasons. Shouppe, who is considered one of the nation’s best recruiters – he has had 48 pitching recruits drafted by major league teams – claimed he thinks highly of the job, just like many other coaches, but is also being patient.

“I have not been in contact with anyone at USF, but I am submitting my application (Wednesday),” Shouppe said.