Koetter not OSU new football coach

PHOENIX (AP) -- A funny thing happened to Dirk Koetter on his way to Oklahoma State. He made a last minute turn and wound up in Tempe, instead. <br><br>The 41-year-old football coach, known as an offensive

Saturday, December 2nd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

PHOENIX (AP) -- A funny thing happened to Dirk Koetter on his way to Oklahoma State. He made a last minute turn and wound up in Tempe, instead.

The 41-year-old football coach, known as an offensive innovator, has agreed to a 5 year contract to coach the Arizona State Sun Devils.

Koetter made the decision Friday night after several newspapers and broadcast outlets in Oklahoma reported he had accepted the job at Oklahoma State.

Oklahoma State athletic director Terry Don Phillips confirmed Koetter's choice in a news release. "Coach Koetter informed me that he had been tendered an offer from Arizona State University and had accepted," Phillips said.

Arizona State officials had no comment Friday night. However, a source close to the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity said Koetter had agreed to a five-year deal that would pay him $700,000 per year, and that the new coach would be introduced at a news conference on the Tempe campus Saturday.

Koetter replaces Bruce Snyder, who was fired after nine seasons. Snyder will coach Arizona State in a bowl game, most likely the Las Vegas Bowl. Arizona State athletic director Gene Smith had said he wanted someone with experience as a major-college coach and with West Coast ties.

Koetter fills that bill and brings a wide-open offense. This season, Boise State scored at least 31 points in every game and led the nation in scoring offense at 44.91 points per game. They ranked second in total offense and fourth in passing offense.

The Daily Oklahoman, Tulsa World and several TV and radio stations in Oklahoma had reported Thursday afternoon and Friday morning that Koetter had accepted the Oklahoma State job. But Phillips never confirmed those reports, and Koetter would not comment on any job possibilities at Boise State's practice Friday.

Koetter said earlier in the week he had interviewed with Phillips and with Arizona State athletic director Gene Smith. Koetter guided Boise State to a 25-10 record in three seasons. His first team went 6-5, followed by last year's 10-3 record, which included a 34-31 victory over Louisville in the Humanitarian Bowl. This year's team is 9-2, with its only losses 38-31 at Arkansas and 42-35 at Washington State