Huizenga reportedly interviews Carroll

Miami Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga interviewed Southern California coach Pete Carroll in Costa Rica, the Miami Herald reported Monday.

Carroll has been on vacation in Costa Rica, and a Huizenga-owned plane flew there Sunday, then returned to Fort Lauderdale, according to flight records. The same plane was used to take Dolphins officials to Pittsburgh, Chicago and San Diego to interview candidates to replace Nick Saban.

A Dolphins spokesman declined to say whether Huizenga met with Carroll. USC spokesman Tim Tessalone said Carroll was expected to return from vacation Tuesday.

“Pete hasn’t gotten back, so I don’t have any information to share with you,” Tessalone said.

According to the Daily News of Los Angeles, USC has a previous-scheduled team meeting on Monday. Officially, the meeting covers academics and winter conditioning, which technically means Carroll's presence is not required. However, Carroll always attended those meetings in the past.

In the 1990s, Carroll coached the New York Jets for one season and the New England Patriots for three before being fired. As recently as last week, he denied rumors he wanted to return to the pros.

If the 55-year-old Carroll is interested in the Dolphins job, he would become the front-runner. He led the Trojans to a fifth consecutive Bowl Championship Series appearance this season and beat Michigan in the Rose Bowl. He’s 65-12 with two national titles in six seasons at Southern California.

Carroll has denied any interest in leaving USC. Asked last week whether an NFL team could change his mind to remain at the school he told the Los Angeles Times: "No, it won't change. I expect 1,000 percent to be here.''

The Dolphins interviewed two candidates Monday: their defensive coordinator, Dom Capers, and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Mike Tomlin.

Capers was interviewed in Jacksonville, where he was on vacation. He coached expansion teams in Carolina and Houston and has a career record of 48-80.

Since Saban left last week for Alabama, Miami has interviewed at least six candidates: former Atlanta Falcons coach Jim Mora, Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt, Georgia Tech coach Chan Gailey, San Diego offensive coordinator Cam Cameron, and two Chicago Bears assistants, defensive coordinator Ron Rivera and offensive coordinator Ron Turner.

Gailey, a former offensive coordinator for the Dolphins, said Monday there was nothing new to report in the coaching search.

Slideshow   Week in Sports Pictures The Saints triumph in the Super Bowl, Olympians work on final preparations for Vancouver, and more. more photos

“I’m one of the guys in the running,” he said. “We’ll see where it goes.”

The Dolphins’ experience with Saban might make them less likely to hire a college coach. He came to Miami from Louisiana State and left after two seasons, deciding he preferred the SEC to the NFL.

Carroll is one of the highest-paid coaches in college, but Huizenga last week said: “I don’t care what it takes, what it costs, what’s involved. We’re going to make this a winning franchise.”

The Dolphins have failed to make the playoffs the past five seasons, a team record.

A message from The Associated Press left on Carroll’s cell phone wasn’t returned, and his agent didn’t return calls seeking comment.

MORE FROM NFL

NFL Section Front

Colts won’t be down for long PFT: Colts favored to win SB 45; Saints, Chargers 2nd   Vote: Who will win Super Bowl XLV in 2011? Offseason priorities for all 32 NFL teams PFT: Shanahan reportedly might draft QB at No. 4 PFT: Steelers or Vikings vs. Saints on opening night PFT: Peppers, Panthers appear headed for divorce PFT: Martz says Cutler not ‘difficult to deal with’ PFT: Stallworth set to work out with Lions PFT: Sapp is getting, and heeding, good legal advice NFL Section Front   Add NFL headlines to your news reader: