Although an interview has not yet taken place, ESPN.com has learned that Notre Dame athletics department officials have sought and been formally granted permission to meet with Stanford head coach Tyrone Willingham about the Irish vacancy.

One candidate the Irish can cross off their wish list is San Francisco 49ers coach Steve Mariucci. On his radio show Wednesday morning in San Francisco, Mariucci said he is not considering -- and will not consider -- the vacancy.

"I'm staying in San Francisco," Mariucci said Wednesday. "I'm flattered to read my name in the paper, but I'm committed to rebuilding this team. I'm not interested in any other job."

Willingham, 47, is in his seventh season at Stanford and has compiled a 44-35-1 record. His team posted a 9-2 overall record this season and the Cardinal will meet Georgia Tech in the inaugural Seattle Bowl on Dec. 27. Willingham signed a contract extension last season, has been mentioned as a candidate for several college and NFL head coach positions over the last three years, and is highly regarded as both a coach and a teacher.

ESPN.com also learned late Tuesday that Notre Dame has asked for permission to discuss their opening with Arkansas coach Houston Nutt.

However, Razorback athletic director Frank Broyles told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Irish officials have not asked for permission to talk with Nutt about their football vacancy.

"I have not been contacted by Notre Dame regarding its head coaching position," Nutt said. "I feel we have an outstanding program here at Arkansas. Along with my staff and players, I am concentrating on getting our team ready for a bowl game."

Nutt, 44, was recently named the Southeastern Conference coach of the year for 2001.

"We're still very early in the process, and I can't say yet where or when (an interview) might take place," said Willingham's agent, Ray Anderson of Octagon. "Stanford is a very special place for Tyrone. But it behooves any coach, Tyrone or anyone else, to listen to Notre Dame if it calls, just given the status and tradition of the university."

Given the manner in which Notre Dame athletic director Kevin White has conducted this early stage of his search, it is not known if he has formally interviewed any of the candidates. But school officials have told the parents of some of the players being recruited by Notre Dame that a new coach could be named within a week. The vacancy was created when Bob Davie was dismissed Sunday after compiling a record of 35-25.

Sources close to Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Tom Coughlin told ESPN.com on Tuesday that, despite persistent rumors linking his name to the job, he has not been contacted by Irish officials.

Willingham succeeded Bill Walsh at Stanford in 1995 and the Seattle Bowl will be the fourth postseason game to which he has directed his team. He is the only man in conference history to be twice named the Pac-10 coach of the year.

Nutt led the Razorbacks to a 7-4 record this season, his fourth at the school, and Arkansas likely will play in the Independence Bowl on Dec. 27. In stints at Murray State (1993-96), Boise State (1997) and Arkansas (1998-present), Nutt has compiled a 66-39 record.

Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com. Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.