After a week of radio silence, it's just nice to at least know that SOMETHING is going on about the search for the next Syracuse football coach.

According to Rivals.com's Tom Dienhart (via Donnie Webb), Illinois Offensive Coordinator Mike Locksley interviewed for the job on Wednesday. 

Locksley has been offensive coordinator at Illinois since 2005 under Ron Zook. Before that, Locksley was running backs coach/recruiting coordinator at Florida from 2003-04. From 1997-2002, Locksley was an assistant at Maryland.

Locksley, 38, is a native of Washington, D.C., who played at Towson State from 1988-91. He is a renowned recruiter, luring the likes of receiver Arrelious Benn, cornerback Vontae Davis and quarterback Juice Williams - among others - to Illinois.

We've been hearing Locksley's name since last year so it's no surprise.  His credentials speak for themselves and he's well-known as a talented recruiter.  The only big question mark is his lack of head coaching experience.    But he knows the Northeast pretty well and he can attract talent as well as any one else out there.  I'm game.

Of course, Locksley also interviewed for Clemson's open gig as well, so the cat's out of the bag.

While we continue to look over our list of prospects, there is one person we can (almost) officially cross off.  Soon-to-be Tennessee head coach Lane Kiffin.  I personally never thought Kiffin would choose SU, although I was fairly sure he'd end up in Washington.  But what the hell do I know?

One name I haven't heard much about is UCLA Defensive Coordinator DeWayne Walker.  Walker has become a hot name for mid-major conference openings like Utah State but he seems to have his sights set on higher plateaus:

Walker acknowledged openings at Washington, Syracuse and San Diego State are intriguing.

"I think you have to entertain it," he said. "You want to make sure you have the resources to be successful. That's the beauty of my situation here. I have a good job. I think Rick is getting ready to take this thing to the next level.

Walker was the interim head coach for the Bruins in last year's Las Vegas Bowl (a loss) before Rick Neuheisel was hired.  He also has ties to USC and Pete Carroll, for whom he was secondary coach.  I believe Donnie mentioned that DOCTOR Gross was in LA recently.  And since we get all of our head coaches on recommendations from Pete Carroll, well, take that as you will.