The Kansas State coaching search will move on.
South Florida coach Jim Leavitt agreed to a long-term extension through 2012, the school announced Wednesday afternoon. Leavitt had been the No. 1 choice of Kansas State to replace Bill Snyder -- but until Wednesday, no one knew for sure if Leavitt was interested in leaving.
K-State is now likely to focus on Brent Venables, Oklahoma's co-defensive coordinator and associate head coach. Venables, 34, has let it be known that he would interested in taking the job.
Leavitt is the second coach to get an extension after K-State began looking for a replacement for Snyder. Last week, TCU's Gary Patterson took his name out of consideration after receiving an extension from the school.
Leavitt's new deal begins Jan. 1. It includes a bump in salary from $542,000 per year to an average of $1 million, according to the school.
The deal also raises Leavitt's buyout from $50,000 to $500,000 between Jan. 1, 2006, and Jan. 1, 2008. From that date through Jan. 1, 2012, the buyout is $400,000.
"I've said from the very beginning that USF is one of the best coaching jobs in America," Leavitt said.
Snyder, 66, retired two weeks ago after coaching the Wildcats for 17 years.
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