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Richter confirmed that an unnamed Packers official had left a message to that effect and noted that he considered it legitimate. As of Tuesday night, the Packers had not sought permission to discuss the position with Alvarez, but technically they don't have to.

"The protocol is a little bit different when you talk about an NFL team wanting to talk to a college coach," Richter said. "Frankly, they can just do it, if that's what they want to do. But knowing the Packers and their people as well as I do, I think I'll get some sort of formal indication from (general manager) Ron Wolf or one of the team officials."

Alvarez, who has led the Badgers to three Rose Bowl appearances in his 10 seasons in Madison, was not in his office Tuesday, but was scheduled to return from a recruiting trip on Wednesday. In '95 he interviewed for the head coaching job with the Philadelphia Eagles, but owner Jeff Lurie instead hired Rhodes.

Wolf spent much of Tuesday on the phone doing background checks on potential prospects and declined interview requests. Vice president Ken Herock, who is assisting in the coaching search and also making background phone calls, did not return messages. It is believed that Wolf might take as long as two or three weeks to fill the vacancy.

A source close to Steve Mariucci told SportsLine on Tuesday evening that the Packers haven't demonstrated any interest yet in the San Francisco 49ers coach. Mariucci served as quarterbacks coach under Mike Holmgren and remains a close friend of Brett Favre. One possible candidate to emerge on Tuesday was Chicago Bears offensive coordinator Gary Crowton, a former head coach at Louisiana Tech.

In other coaching news

Denver Broncos offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak removed himself from consideration for the New England Patriots head coach vacancy. It was believed that Kubiak was to have interviewed with owner Bob Kraft as early as Wednesday.

"There were some personal reasons and I just didn't think it was the right thing for me at this time in my career," Kubiak said Tuesday night. "I think it's a great opportunity for someone. I am very grateful they thought of me as someone who might be able to help them."

Kubiak, 38, previously turned down assistants jobs with Atlanta and Baltimore as well as the head job at Colorado. He interviewed last year for the head coach job with the expansion Cleveland Browns. Agents for defensive coordinators Marvin Lewis (Baltimore) and Willie Shaw (Oakland) told SportsLine that the Patriots sought and were granted permission to talk to their clients. The Patriots also have asked to be able to speak with St. Louis offensive coordinator Mike Martz.

Despite indications he will become defensive coordinator in either Seattle or Washington, assistants from his staff confirmed to SportsLine that former New England coach Pete Carroll told them during a final meeting on Monday that he plans to take a season off from the business. Carroll has two seasons remaining on his contract with the Patriots, at a salary of about $1 million per season.

Former Patriots defensive coordinator Steve Sidwell is expected to be a candidate for the same position with the Saints, if Ditka is retained.

Wisconsin coach Barry Alvarez wouldn't have to travel far to take the reins in Green Bay.(Allsport)

Arizona Cardinals coach Vince Tobin has backed off his statements that he might leave the team if he is not offered a contract extension by owner Bill Bidwill. Last week, Tobin indicated he would not enter the final season of his five-year contract in 2000 as a lame duck coach. Tobin requested an extension a year ago, when he had two seasons left on his deal, and Bidwill turned him down.

Some team officials feel Bidwill has no intention of offering an extension and on Tuesday Tobin sounded like a coach resigned to working under his current contract. "If that's the situation, we'll make the most of it," Tobin said. "I don't think that's the best way for the Cardinals to win football games next year. I don't think that would give us the best chance of winning. Would it mean we couldn't win doing that? I think you can win in any circumstance if you apply yourself."

With only the formality of clearing it with his wife, Atlanta coach Dan Reeves all but ended speculation about his future with the Falcons and said he expects to return for the 2000 season.

"I've not talked with the big boss yet," Reeves said, referring to his wife, Pam. "When I talk with her, then I can say conclusively what I'm going to do."

Reeves has two seasons remaining on his contract. Early this year, he told a network pregame show that it was "no guarantee" he would coach beyond 1999. Less than a week later, he told a reporter he wasn't sure how that story was started.