LSU reportedly talked to several potential men’s basketball coaches in San Antonio during the Final Four, but the list of options shrank Tuesday as two coaches removed their names from consideration. Washington State’s Tony Bennett released a statement withdrawing his name from the search for the vacant LSU job. “I will remain as the head coach at Washington State, and I look forward to building for the future,” Bennett said in a news release. “I am thankful for the opportunity this University gave me to become head coach … Washington State University is a special place.” Speculation linking Bennett to LSU heated up early this past week when the Cougars’ coach “talked to Indiana about its vacant head coaching job but decided not to pursue it,” according to The Associated Press. At that time, Bennett told ESPN he might be interested in the LSU opening. Bennett’s wife, Laurel, is from Baton Rouge and attended LSU. One of the most recent names linked to the vacancy has also already dispelled rumors about moving to LSU. Clemson coach Oliver Purnell said in a statement Tuesday he has no plans to leave. “I am flattered that I would be mentioned in connection with a prominent national program,” Purnell said. “But I have long-range goals for this Clemson program. We just announced a contract extension three weeks ago, and I am happy here.” Not all coaches contacted by LSU have taken their names out of the running. ESPN reported Tuesday that Stanford coach Trent Johnson is one of the coaches LSU talked to this weekend who has not yet publicly ruled out the Tigers’ vacancy. Stanford’s star player Brooke Lopez and his brother Robin Lopez both recently declared for the NBA draft, and Johnson is about to enter the final year of his contract. “Until Johnson signs a new deal, anything can happen,” wrote Jon Wilner, San Jose Mercury News reporter. “He could get tired of waiting and pursue other opportunities. Or Stanford could come with a low-ball offer, forcing him to pursue other opportunities.”
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