Latest rumors focus on Western Michigan's Darnell

(Chapel Hill-AP) -- The rumor mill now has Western Michigan coach Gary Darnell atop the list of candidates to become the new head football coach at North Carolina. <br><br>Darnell is also reported to be

Wednesday, November 29th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

(Chapel Hill-AP) -- The rumor mill now has Western Michigan coach Gary Darnell atop the list of candidates to become the new head football coach at North Carolina.

Darnell is also reported to be the target of Missouri, Oklahoma State and Rutgers.

Published reports say Western Michigan Athletic Director Kathy Beauregard has given North Carolina permission to talk to Darnell.

Should he take the job, it wouldn't be the first time Darnell has walked the sidelines in the Atlantic Coast Conference, especially Kenan Stadium.

Darnell coached linebackers under Bill Dooley at North Carolina in 1976 and 1977. He was an assistant head coach and defensive coordinator at Wake Forest ten years later.