Dec 01, 2015 03:30 PM EST By Russell Westerholm, UniversityHerald Reporter

The University of Miami (UM) is intensifying its search for a head football coach by interviewing some premier candidates.

Citing unnamed sources, ESPN reported UM officials interviewed Dan Mullen, Mark Richt, Greg Schiano, and Butch Davis. Of the four, only Mullen is currently employed, coming off an 8-4 season with the Mississippi State Bulldogs.

Schiano, who is included in virtually all college football coaching vacancies, most recently coaching the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 2012 to 2013 after a 10-year stint at Rutgers. Davis coached the Hurricanes from 1995 to 2000 and most recently coached North Carolina from 2007 to 2010.

Last month, Davis was outspoken about his interest in the UM head football coaching job, but has since limited his comments on the matter, according to The Sun-Sentinel. UM reportedly was unsure about bringing Davis back because of how his stint at North Carolina ended, with some of his players implicated in the academic fraud scandal.

FootballScoop.com learned Davis' meeting with UM officials was "extremely positive," as the two sides "cleared some hurdles."

Mullen may be a more attractive candidate for UM, but his current contract with Mississippi State adds an additional expense. Mark Richt has no such hurdle, since Georgia fired him after season's end.

Richt played QB at UM from 1979 to 1982 and spent the last 15 years coaching Georgia. The Palm Beach Post reported UM is interested in Richt and that Richt wants to keep coaching.

According to The Atlanta Journal Constitution, Richt said on his radio show he has been contacted by five schools. Though he would not provide any details, Missouri and Maryland were reportedly among the five.

See Now: Covert Team Inside Newsweek Revealed as Key Players in False Human Trafficking Lawsuit