Here's what I think. Remember JP told the players in a team meeting to go home, enjoy the holidays, and put this out of their head for a couple weeks. He said he'd be in contact with them if anything developed (like announcing a coach), but they should not dwell on this and make any hasty decisions. He also said wait 'til the new coach is hired, have a chance to meet and talk with him, then if there are decisions that need to be made - everyone together can make them.
In my mind this means he's after someone that is coaching in a bowl game. Surely no current coach getting ready for a bowl game is going entertain an interview, much less move onto a new team right before the bowl game. At least no one we should be considering. So with that in mind, I still think Gary Patterson is the leading candidate. That is purely speculation on my part (I'm not sure if speculation is allowed on this board, but I haven't read all the threads on this topic :wink

. Pat Hill (Fresno State) and Houke are possibilities that I've heard too. I don't think we'll know until after the new year.