After three seasons at Boise State, Dirk Koetter is headed south to coach at Arizona State.(AP)

After visiting a local high school coach, Koetter drove past Sun Devil Stadium.

"I said, `Someday I'm going to be the head coach at that school.' This is a dream come true," he said.

Athletic director Gene Smith said Koetter's name kept coming up in conversations with nearly everyone after he fired Bruce Snyder on Nov. 15, and he was impressed with the young, personable prospect's determination to land the position.

"He wanted to be here, and he sold that very passionately," Smith said. "That had an impact."

Koetter said he spent two weeks in turmoil because of the variety of offers he received, and that he accepted the Oklahoma State position only after telling Cowboys athletic director Terry Don Phillips that he would take back the commitment if Smith made a later offer.

Snyder coached the Sun Devils to a 6-5 record and a bowl berth, probably in Las Vegas against UNLV. He will be allowed to complete his ninth season by coaching the bowl game, and Koetter will finish up as Boise State's coach in the Humanitarian Bowl on Dec. 28.

In a related development, Boise State named Dan Hawkins, who had been assistant head coach, to coach the Broncos.

The arrangements may get complicated, Koetter said.

"There are probably going to be some awkward moments in the next couple of weeks," he said.

Koetter had a second team meeting late Saturday -- this time with his future players.

He felt the reception was enthusiastic, and said two-time All-Pac-10 tight end Todd Heap, who was thinking about leaving early for the NFL draft, seemed impressed when Koetter described his plans for a stronger offense.

Koetter was 25-10 at Boise, winning consecutive Big West Conference titles and berths in the Humanitarian Bowl with a powerful offense that ranked No. 1 in scoring (44.9 points) and second in total offense (496.3 yards).

Last year's team was 10-3, and this year's is 9-2, losing only to Arkansas and Washington State. The 34-31 loss to Arkansas represents the lowest score by the Broncos this season.

In addition to Oklahoma State, Koetter was sought by Arizona and Southern California. He was the offensive coordinator at Oregon in 1996-97 before taking the Boise State job.

Prior to that, he honed his offensive-minded reputation as the offensive coordinator at Boston College, Missouri and Texas-El Paso.

Koetter said he got recommendations from Arizona State players on coaches to retain, and suggested that his new staff may be a blend of some of Snyder's coaches with his favorites from his old staff.

Koetter also created some intrigue by saying that he hoped to work in Danny White, the former Arizona State and Dallas Cowboys quarterback, into the program in some way.

White, who coaches the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena Football League, expressed interest in coaching at his alma mater, and had the support of some boosters.