As most of you aleady know, the defensive staff is in place.

Now let's move on to the offense. I believe the offensive coordinator is in place. I am led to believe this because of a quote from a recruit on the east coast yesterday who said co-defensive coordinator Chris Cosh was recruiting him.

Cosh "called me and took my tape out there with him. I'm supposed to be talking to their offensive coordinator tomorrow."

However, it is unclear who that offensive coordinator is that the recruit is talking about.

I spoke to a source today knowledgable of the situation and he assured me that former San Diego State head coach Chuck Long was the No. 1 choice for the offensive coordinator position.

The source added that he is still confident Long is the guy, but said he is unsure of the contract situation and the buyout that Long is receiving from San Diego State after being fired a month ago.

That contract, as many of you already know, may have an affect on whether or not if Long ends up in Manhattan on Snyder's staff.

Long had two years remaining on his contract, and because of that, private donations were necessary to pay for what Long is owed, which is more than $1.4 million over two years unless Long finds employment elsewhere before then.

In other words, Long could sit around and do nothing for a couple years and pocket the money. Or if he has the itch to get back into coaching, then he could forfeit some of that money. I am not sure about a figure on it.

But remember this: Aztec athletic director Jeff Schemmel is a K-State alum. He also served as an administrator at K-State from 1988 to 1991. Schemmel was also part of the management team that hired Bill Snyder as the head coach in 1988.

What I am trying to say, is don't be surprised if he shows a little bit of flexibility and willingness to help Long land in Manhattan without losing all of the buyout.

That's all I've got for now. I'll keep you posted on what I hear.