The University of Oregon's search for its next coach is still ongoing. The Ducks haven't zeroed in on one candidate and are still working to interview more candidates, per a source.

I expect those candidates are sitting head coaches. The radio silence we've had in the recent hours isn't because athletic director Rob Mullens took a nap or because he's busy with the College Football Playoff committee. That work is done. Rather, Mullens is in contact with sitting head coaches he's trying to pry away from established programs. I think Oregon knows it has some solid options that it really likes but is now exploring options with "lots of moving parts."

Take that for what you will.

What I know:

-- If Oregon pries away a sitting head coach, this will accelerate fast. Remember, recruiting window closes on Dec. 12. Timing is important.

-- Oregon interviewed South Florida coach Willie Taggart on Thursday in Dallas. Taggart is having a great season. But because this search remains ongoing I gather that the Ducks like -- not love -- Taggart. Doesn't feel like he's Oregon's target right now.

-- PJ Fleck has a team banquet today at Western Michigan, then plans to get about recruiting. Sources on both sides confirmed on Saturday night that Fleck had still not interviewed with Oregon. No interview scheduled today either. So it doesn't look like the Ducks plan on seeing Fleck until at least Monday, if at all. And by then, this search could be wrapping up. If he gets an interview, it feels like a token interview.

-- Coaches we can cross off the list include: Ken Niumatalolo (Navy), Charlie Strong (unemployed), Rick Neuheisel (TV), Brian Kelly (Notre Dame), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Lane Kiffin (Alabama coordinator), Les Miles (unemployed), Gary Patterson (TCU), Bill Musgrave (Raiders offensive coordinator), Norv Turner (NFL), Kyle Whittingham (Utah), Scott Frost (UCF).

-- I had Boise State's Bryan Harsin on the "no way" list above because he's viewed as the B-version of Chris Petersen. But I know things can change and I think he ends up part of a potential fallback plan for this search should things get haywire. I don't think he gets the job, but I still feel some lukewarm interest on Oregon's part. Still, a long longshot.

-- Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano wants this job, per a source. He has his hand raised. I don't know if the Ducks will call on him, but he presents a defensive, tough-minded correction from the Mark Helfrich era. Also, he's coming from Urban Meyer's stable, which holds weight in Phil Knight's world. I'd put Schiano's odds of getting the job as better than Harsin's, but again, if he were what Oregon wanted, this search would be done and he'd be out recruiting today.

-- Florida's Jim McElwain has some Northwest roots, but I can't see Oregon prying him away. I want to include him on the "not in this" list but I don't have that confirmed from either side. The hope if you like him is that NW roots are a strong aphrodisiac. (UPDATE: I'm told there are a number of reasons this isn't on the table. He's not coming.)

-- The combination of a Justin Wilcox/Lincoln Riley combination was pitched to me by a Big Ten coach. I ran it up the flagpole to my sources and got negative feedback on that. Feels like Oregon's search is centered on getting an established, veteran coach who has walked the walk before. I think the idea of marrying two coordinators together is not likely here.

-- I floated the return of Chip Kelly to a UO source over the weekend. I know. It's a pipe-dream, but until Kelly wins games in San Francisco (now 1-11) and the Ducks remain without a coach, that fairy tale is alive. When asked about Kelly's possible return to Eugene my source snipped, "That would be a Merry Christmas."

More from me on Twitter: @JohnCanzanoBFT