NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Furman coach Bobby Johnson, whose team plays for the NCAA Division I-AA title on Friday, is reportedly the leading candidate for the Vanderbilt head coaching position, The Tennessean reported Thursday.

The report says that Vanderbilt officials will offer Johnson a $750,000-a-year contract, plus a promise of nationally-competitive assistant salaries. Johnson's salary at Furman is believed to be between $150,000 and $175,000.

An annoucement isn't likely until Saturday or Sunday at the earliest, to allow Johnson to coach his team in the title game.

Vanderbilt has been without a head coach after Woody Widenhofer resigned. He was 15-40 in five seasons at Vanderbilt.

Among the other candidates is South Carolina defensive coordinator Charlie Strong, but sources told The Tenneesean that he had become frustrated by the length of the search. Florida assistant offensive coordinator Buddy Teevens was interviews by athletic director Todd Turner and Vanderbilt chancellor Gordon Gee last weekend.

"I'm just not going to make any comments about our search until it's finished," Turner told The Tennessean.

Johnson has refused comment. Furman athletic director Gary Clark, however, said he expected negotiations between Johnson and Turner to intensify when the season ends.