Athletics Director Wood Selig said on Monday that he and President Gary Ransdell would appoint a search committee responsible for finding the Toppers’ next head coach.

“It will be a well-represented committee, institutionally,” Selig said. “And then we’ll go ahead and start to move as quickly as we can but, again, trying to be efficient and methodical and make sure we don’t leave any stone unturned.”

Selig said he has already started to receive e-mails and texts from people interested in the job.

“I’m hearing that there are (Southeastern Conference) coordinators who have let it be known they have interest in our job,” he said. “I think the job is going to garner a lot of national interest, and we’ll have an outstanding pool to choose from.”

Selig said he does have an internal short list, but he wouldn’t disclose who was on it. He wouldn’t rule out the possibility that a new head coach would be hired before the 2009 season ends.

“We’re going to be talking to and looking at current and previous head coaches as well as coordinators and position coaches,” Selig said.

Selig said everyone is a candidate, but he did say that Romeo Crennel, former Western player and recent Hall of Distinguished Alumni inductee, wasn’t interviewed while he was in Bowling Green this past weekend. Crennel hasn’t expressed interest, Selig said.

Selig also said that he hasn’t communicated with Willie Taggart, a former Western quarterback and assistant coach and current Stanford assistant coach, about the position.

Business had impact on decision

Declining ticket sales and a lack of public support also played into Selig and Ransdell’s decision to fire Head Coach David Elson on Sunday night.

“I like our youth. I like the character in our program,” Selig said. “I like the fact that we’ve been non-transfer, non-(junior college) — we’re building it from the bottom up. We’re building it with a strong foundation. I love that, but when you look at it from a business perspective, that’s when the chinks start to be felt in the armor, so to speak.”

The season ticket base has declined more than 17 percent since 2007, Selig said. Just 7,506 season tickets were sold this season compared to 8,648 in 2008 and 9,093 in 2007, according to the Western Athletics department.

“We just felt like change was needed at this particular time to rejuvenate interest in the program, rejuvenate excitement around our program and to take our program to the next step,” Selig said.

Western has also seen a decrease in walk-up attendance and student attendance over the past two seasons, he said.

Selig said he and Ransdell had become concerned that the Toppers’ 17-game losing streak would continue and leave the program in a tough spot.

“You’re at a point where, okay, now how are we going to expect to sell tickets, draw a crowd and keep the enthusiasm and excitement around WKU football?” Selig said.

Selig’s relationship with Elson good

Selig said that he and Elson have had a very good relationship, both professionally and personally, in the 10 years they’ve both been with the program.

“I can’t think of another coach currently or previously who has been at WKU that I have been closer to from a personal standpoint, from a family standpoint,” Selig said. “That’s what makes the decision so difficult.”

Selig will keep an open door for players

Selig said he and Ransdell will talk to every player that has a concern about the present and the future of the program.

Players weren’t available for comment on Monday, which was not unusual for a Monday following a game. Select players are usually made available at a Monday media luncheon, but the luncheon was cancelled.

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