The University of Maine offered Football Coach Jack Cosgrove a contract extension last Tuesday, said Athletic Director Blake James. He said the two sides are still in negotiations.

Cosgrove is also exploring other options. It was reported in this morning's Providence Journal that Cosgrove is one of four finalists for the vacant head coaching position at the University of Rhode Island.

James confirmed he got a call from the athletic director at Rhode Island last week and granted the school permission to speak with Cosgrove.

James said both he and UMaine President Robert Kennedy hope that a deal is agreed upon and Cosgrove remains at Maine.

"We hope we're able to work out a deal to keep him at the University of Maine," said James.

Cosgrove's current contract runs through June 30, 2008. He has been Maine's head coach for 15 seasons.

According to the ProJo Cosgrove is a finalist along with Darren Rizzi, a former All-America tight end for the Rams and associate head coach at Rutgers; Pete Adrian a former URI assistant coach who is the head coach at Norfolk State and Robert Talley, head coach at Stonehill College.

The Rams went 2-6 in the Colonial Athletic Association this year, 3-8 overall.

E-mail this entry to a friend