University of Houston officials, including president Renu Khator, were scheduled to meet Thursday night to discuss the finalists for the football team's head-coaching position, sources told ESPN.
Athletic director Hunter Yurachek and board of regents chair Tilman J. Fertitta will meet with Khator, regarding the three coaches who sources told ESPN have emerged as finalists: Alabama offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin, Houston offensive coordinator Major Applewhite and Houston defensive coordinator Todd Orlando.
Fertitta, in a text message to Fox 26 in Houston, said former LSU coach Les Miles is also a finalist after having interviewed previously.
"I think any of these four guys will be a great head coach at the University of Houston," Fertitta told Fox 26, also noting to the Houston Chronicle that the search likely will be concluded this weekend.
Houston wants to require an excessive buyout so the next coach can't leave after a couple of seasons without paying a substantial penalty, a source told ESPN.
Kiffin has indicated to others that he's optimistic he will be the next coach at Houston. Alabama coach Nick Saban said Thursday afternoon that he had not heard if Kiffin has the job, but Saban is supportive of his assistant getting an opportunity to be a head coach again.
Oklahoma offensive coordinator Lincoln Riley also interviewed for the Houston job, sources said.
The Cougars are looking for a replacement for Tom Herman, who left after two seasons to become the head coach at Texas.