2014 Rose Bowl: MSU Friday Practice

Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi, left, and secondary coach Harlon Barnett talk en route to a Rose Bowl practice. The Spartans beat Stanford, 24-20, on Jan. 1.

(Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)

Charlie Strong's departure from Louisville to coach Texas begins Round II of the Pat Narduzzi watch for Michigan State.

Narduzzi, who withdrew his name from consideration for the Connecticut job after interviewing with that school in December, is once again being talked about as a head coach candidate.

Louisville athletic director Tom Jurich has reportedly begun talking to athletic directors.

Michigan State athletic director Mark Hollis had the following statement Sunday on the Cardinals' opening where it concerned Narduzzi: "It's always good to have people that are of interest for great jobs. Louisville is a great job and I have respect for Tom Jurich. He will do it right.''

The Louisville job is on a different level than UConn's. It not only represents a higher pay grade, but perhaps more importantly, an opportunity to compete for championships as the Cardinals move to the ACC with a solid foundation in place.

Typically, for high-profile assistants like Narduzzi, the ability to compete at the highest level is a key factor when determining whether to cash in their chips and go all in on the jump to head coach.

Narduzzi has been consistent when asked when or if he would leave the Spartans for a head-coaching job: "It would have to be the right one,'' he says.

Louisville slipped past Michigan State to become the nation's No. 1-ranked total defense after the bowl games.

Both teams lose six senior defensive starters to graduation.

Does that sound right for a defensive-minded coach?

Of course, as a head coach Narduzzi would have a whole different set of issues to worry about as the offensive meeting room suddenly matters more to him.

At Louisville that's especially true, as QB Teddy Bridgewater has announced he's taking his skills to the NFL.

But that's where Narduzzi's ability to make a good offensive assistant hire would come into play.

Michigan State QB coach Brad Salem would likely be at or near the top of Narduzzi's list when drawing up a list of offensive coordinator candidates.

Salem has been very influential in the development of Connor Cook, who capped his redshirt sophomore season by throwing for career-high yardage in a 34-24 Big Ten title game win over Ohio State and again in a 24-20 victory over Stanford in the Rose Bowl, earning MVP honors in both contests.

Spartans' co-offensive coordinator Dave Warner, who took over running backs last season, worked with Cook his first two seasons.

Narduzzi has said the continuity of his defensive staff has been a key to him building a defense with the Spartans that has ranked in the Top 10 in the nation the past three years.

But could Narduzzi pull any of Michigan State's defensive assistants with him?

Should Narduzzi leave, would Harlon Barnett be the most likely to be promoted to replace him -- or would Mark Dantonio go outside to hire a new defensive coordinator?

The questions could be moot, but for now, Narduzzi's name is back on the head coaching big board, and contingency plans must certainly be considered.

The Lexington (Ky.) Herald-Leader dropped Narduzzi's name as a possible candidate for Louisville, along with the following:

— former Louisville assistant, Alabama offensive coordinator and Colorado State coach Jim McElwain

— Duke coach David Cutcliffe

— Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris (already the highest paid assistant in the nation at $1.3 million)

— Utah State coach (and former Louisville coordinator) Matt Wells

— Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart

— Current Louisville offensive coordinator Shawn Watson

The USA Today also mentioned Narduzzi as a candidate in its story on the Louisville opening on Sunday, as well as the above candidates and:

— Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Jay Gruden

— Louisiana-Lafayette coach Mark Hudspeth

— Ball State coach Pete Lembo

— Western Kentucky coach Bobby Petrino

The Louisville Courier-Journal adds former USC interim coach and one-time Ole Miss coach Ed Orgeron to the list.

"The DC at Michigan State just finished a major, major season with Sparty. MSU posted one of the best defensive seasons of anyone, and Narduzzi was just named the nation's top assistant coach. He makes good coordinator money at Michigan State, but Louisville could definitely afford him. Connecticut and Akron pursued him, as did Texas A&M as a defensive coordinator. He seems like a real possibility.''

Narduzzi talked about his flirtation with the Huskies' job on Dec. 17, and he admitted he was "close" on the opportunity.

"When I went through from it, obviously it was close; you're always close,'' Narduzzi said. "It would have been an hour from my mother-in-law, and I don't want to answer many questions on this today, so this is the last one. But it's an hour from my mother-in-law. I really said probably the key is probably my wife being a great coach's wife, because she could have said, 'hey, Pat, let's go,' and I would have fallen off the fence either way. But she was strong enough to say, 'hey, what's the best move for us as a family and for you coaching-wise.' It wasn't just about being close to home and all those things.''

Hollis worked to structure a unique deal to keep Narduzzi happy last spring.

"You want to have coaches that are pursued,'' Hollis said in mid-December, when Dantonio was being mentioned as a candidate for the Texas job and there was a buzz about Narduzzi and UConn. "At the same time, I've been in constant contact with Coach D and Pat.''

Hollis has been consistent in saying Dantonio and Narduzzi will be receiving appropriate pay increases, along with the rest of the Michigan State football coaching staff.

, but if Narduzzi hasn't signed yet -- and there's been no indication that he has -- the speculation will mount.

Hollis has acknowledged his understanding that if assistants get an opportunity to move up — as opposed to a lateral job offering — there's only so much the Spartans administration can do.

Dantonio has supported Narduzzi's quest to become a head coach and fully endorses him.

Dantonio, along with many others, thought Narduzzi would get a call on the Cincinnati head coaching job last year before veteran Tommy Tuberville entered the mix and got the job.

"Things are very positive here and he'll leave for the right position at the right time and not before then,'' Dantonio said when asked about Narduzzi's future on Dec. 17.

Added Narduzzi: "You hate to break up a great party that we have going on right now, and it better be a great opportunity.''

Michigan State rising junior Shilique Calhoun, the Big Ten's Defensive Lineman of the Year, said in the days leading up to the Rose Bowl that he has confidence Narduzzi will return to coach him.

"I knew he was coming back; I threatened him,'' Calhoun joked. "No, it's great to have him on there, having him at practice, having him in the games, he's a brilliant man. He's like a mad scientist when it comes to football. That'll keep him here for another year.''

Calhoun, who has received a first-round NFL draft grade, has said on at least four occasions he'll return for another season with the Spartans.

It's not known if or how Narduzzi leaving would affect his decision.

Marcus Rush, who bookends Calhoun at the other defensive end position, made it clear how big of a loss Narduzzi would be in his mind.

"He's like my father; I love him, and it's exciting,'' Rush said, asked about Narduzzi's decision to turn down Connecticut. "You know, he's like the soul of our defense. He's the reason we're here. The fact that we're in Pasadena is because of him and his defensive schemes.''