While Kansas State’s campus newspaper, The Collegian, reported Tuesday that NIU football coach Jerry Pettibone is one of the five remaining candidates for the KSU head coaching job, Pettibone only would say Thursday that KSU “has shown interest in me.”

According to The Collegian, KSU Athletic Director Steve Miller confirmed Monday that Pettibone is a leading candidate, along with Larry Coker (Oklahoma State), Ron Dickerson (Penn State), Frank Falks (University of Arizona) and one other unnamed candidate.

Miller said Thursday that Pettibone is among 14 finalists for the job among 100 original candidates. Miller said the top five candidates will be determined today at a selection committee meeting.

“I have not been offered a job,” said the fourth-year NIU coach. “Right now there is no reason for me to get excited about the possibility of going to Kansas State until the season is over here (NIU), and I see the seriousness on their part.”

Pettibone said he met with KSU officials last Thursday in Chicago after being contacted by the university.

The Rockford Register Star Thursday reported the salary for the KSU job as a “five-year, $1 million contract.” Pettibone currently makes $59,700 according to NIU personnel office records.

NIU Athletic Director Gerald O’Dell said he had been asked permission by Miller to talk with Pettibone within the last few days.

“I’d be disappointed if coach Pettibone left, but there will always be changes, whether it’s a president of a bank or in any position,” O’Dell said. “My job is to develop and implement a plan which provides a strong structure and to be successful even with changes.”

This is not the first time Pettibone has been a candidate for a job at another university since he came to NIU. Last year the Huskie head coach was a candidate for the coaching chores at Southern Mississippi and at Southern Methodist, where he served as recruiting coordinator in 1971. Two years ago Pettibone was a candidate for the athletic director’s position at his alma mater, Oklahoma.

“I listened to their offers but turned them down,” Pettibone said of the previous three job opportunities.

Pettibone talked to his players after practice Wednesday and reminded them that he had been in similar situations in the past and that he had not left. Sophomore placekicker John Ivanic said he does not think Pettibone is going anywhere.

“I’ve got a feeling he’ll be around,” Ivanic said. “He’s an honest guy. He wouldn’t be pulling the wool over our eyes.

“I do know one thing; he believes in the work he’s done here.”

Ivanic said that Pettibone told the players they should be flattered by KSU’s interest.

“He (Pettibone) said its a compliment to the team, and that’s how he wants us to take it,” Ivanic said.