Bruce, Kansas Fail to Reach Agreement

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former Ohio State football Coach Earle Bruce has turned down the head coaching position at the University of Kansas, a Columbus television station reported Tuesday.

WBNS-TV reported that Bruce had decided against accepting the offer to succeed Bob Valesente at the Big Eight Conference school.

“I’m no longer a candidate at the University of Kansas,” Bruce said. “I guess we’ll just have to wait and see what happens after the first of the year at the other jobs.”

Bruce was reportedly close to reaching an agreement Monday, but according to published reports was asking financial guarantees be written into a multi-year contract.

Kansas Athletic Director Bob Frederick said: “We could not resolve certain contractual issues surrounding Bruce’s previous contract settlement and aren’t able, therefore, to pursue the matter further. I feel confident that we made Coach Bruce a very competitive offer.”

Bruce, 56, was fired as Ohio State coach Nov. 16. He has also been in contact with officials at Southern Methodist about their head football coaching position.