It became clear on Monday that the University of South Carolina is considering North Carolina women's basketball coach Sylvia Hatchell as a candidate for its vacant coaching job and that she is open to the opportunity.

It also became clear that UNC athletic director Dick Baddour intends to try and keep the Women's Basketball Hall of Fame coach on the Tar Heels' bench a little longer.

An agent representing Hatchell confirmed that South Carolina officials visited with her last week.

John Meadows of Ascent Sports Management said Monday that USC requested permission from UNC to talk with the 56-year-old coach, who has spent 22 years of her 32-year coaching career as the Tar Heels' coach. He said she met with Gamecocks athletic director Eric Hyman on Thursday night.

Meadows would not discuss the specifics of that meeting, which took place at Hatchell's South Carolina beach house. However, he said she was willing to listen to Hyman's proposals, though she has a contract, signed in 2006, that runs to 2011.

"It could be a good opportunity. We just don't know," he said. "She has known [Hyman] for several, several, several years and is willing to listen to what he has to say."

Hatchell, who was born in Gastonia and spent 11 seasons coaching at Francis Marion College in Florence, S.C., could not be reached for comment.

South Carolina spokeswoman Diana Koval said the university does not comment on ongoing coaching searches and that no one from the athletic department would speak on the matter until a new coach is announced. It is uncertain if USC has made any offers to Hatchell.

The Gamecocks' position opened on April 14 after coach Susan Walvius resigned.

Baddour said on Monday it is his intention to keep Hatchell at UNC. He said has spoken to her about her current contract -- she makes a base salary of $260,000, plus incentives.

"My hope, my expectation, is that Coach Hatchell will be here for a long time," he said. "We last did her contract in 2006. I told her at the end of last year, 2007, that we would talk again about her contract in 2008."

Baddour said the plan was always to talk to Hatchell.

"I told her at the end of the season that we would be working on her contract," he said. "All of that has to have approval by the board of trustees. So I can't really talk about the specifics of that. The point is that our intention was to talk with her after the season from the beginning, and it continues to be our intention."

Fourth in career wins among NCAA Division I women's coaches, Hatchell is one of the most recognizable coaches in women's basketball. She guided the Heels to a NCAA championship in 1994.

Her teams have reached the Final Four in two of the past three seasons, with the second-ranked Heels making it to the round of eight this year before losing to Louisiana State 56-50. This season, they won a fourth consecutive ACC title, capping the school's first undefeated (14-0) march through the conference schedule.

The Heels finished the season ranked second in the nation with a 33-3 record, which made Hatchell's record at UNC 512-195. She is 784-275 overall.

ESPN analyst Debbie Antonelli said it's clear why a school such as South Carolina might court Hatchell, considering the coach's standing in the basketball community and her affinity for the South Carolina region.

Meadows said Hatchell did not seek out South Carolina; school officials came to her.

"South Carolina has contacted her to talk about that opening. ... It could be a good opportunity," Meadows said. "We just don't know. It's close. Geographically, it's all within the same area. ... She's just intent on hearing what they have to say."

Meadows, who has represented Hatchell for a year and half, said his client's salary ranks behind the salaries of the top 20 highest-paid coaches in NCAA Division I women's basketball.

"Is 24th where she belongs?" he asked. "Don't know. That's up to different people to decide that."

Tennessee coach Pat Summitt, whose team won its second consecutive NCAA title this year, makes $1.3 million and is the highest-paid coach in women's basketball.

It has been reported that Duke coach Joanne P. McCallie, who this year completed her first season with the Blue Devils, signed a five-year contract worth $500,000 per year, plus incentives.

Former Duke coach Gail Goestenkors, who now heads the Texas program, signed a contract that could pay her $1 million per season.

Baddour said he is absolutely aware of Hatchell's contribution to UNC.

"She's built this program," Baddour said. "It's got her mark on it, she's led it for over 20 years. It has enjoyed a tremendous amount of success as a result of her hard work and dedication. I very much want her to continue to be here."