ECU coach pulls out of Syracuse mix

Skip Holtz withdrew his name from consideration for the football coaching position at Syracuse on Thursday, reiterating that he's happy at East Carolina.

But that doesn't guarantee other schools still won't pursue the popular Pirates coach, or that he won't have another decision to make soon.

Asked during a Liberty Bowl telephone conference call conducted from Memphis if he was interested in the vacant Auburn job, Holtz said, "You know what? I'm happy with the one I have."

"You kidding me ... ?" he continued. "I'm excited about having the opportunity to be at East Carolina and [to] represent East Carolina in this bowl game.

"I'll be more than happy to maybe address all those things with our own media there in Greenville when we have the opportunity to get back there."

Holtz was scheduled to return to Greenville on Thursday night and plans to lead the Pirates through pre-bowl practices today, Saturday and Sunday.

Texas Tech's Mike Leach was considered a top candidate at Auburn, but it was unclear whether he has kept his name in consideration for that SEC post.

There are no other BCS positions currently open.

Holtz, who talked with Syracuse officials earlier this week, repeatedly has said it would take a "very special" situation for him to leave East Carolina.

ECU athletic director Terry Holland has worked hard to keep his football coach. ECU's Board of Trustees approved a revised contract this fall that could pay Holtz $9.4 million with incentives through 2013.

The upbeat Holtz began rebuilding the beaten-down Pirates program four years ago and has delivered promising results.

In the past three seasons, ECU has gone 7-6, 8-5, and 9-4, captured its first Conference USA championship (this season) and earned three consecutive bowl bids.

Perhaps more than ever, Holtz demonstrated his leadership skills this season.

The Pirates were pummeled with injuries and plummeted to 3-3 after opening with three wins. Then Holtz did another turnaround trick. He kept his team together, plugged holes in the lineup with younger players and guided them to six wins in their last seven games.

The biggest moment came at Tulsa last Saturday. Defusing a Golden Hurricane team averaging 49.3 points with five interceptions, ECU secured a 27-24 victory to claim the C-USA title.

That's the type of success that enthralls East Carolina's rabid followers -- and also gets the attention of other programs seeking a good coach.