Who's next at Notre Dame? A week after the abrupt resignation of George O'Leary, it depends on who you believe.

South Bend, Ind.-area television station WNDU reported on its web site Friday that Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers coach Steve Mariucci and University of Washington coach Rick Neuheisel are three candidates Irish athletic director Kevin White could offer the job to. It added that sources say an announcement could come in the next 24-48 hours.

Thursday's South Bend Tribune said that a number of prominent football people -- including Mike Ditka, Marv Levy, Joe Montana, Johnny Lujack and Ara Parseghian -- have called to recommend ex-Irish quarterback Tom Clements, currently the quarterbacks coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers (and a former assistant at Notre Dame). The Tribune noted that Parseghian's recommendation usually carries a lot of weight in South Bend.

"I think Tom is qualified, has enough experience in coaching, is very bright and would grow into the job (at Notre Dame)," Parseghian told the Tribune's David Haugh.

Former Irish coach Lou Holtz has been mentioned and says he talked to Notre Dame -- but only in an advisory role. He admitted, however, that: "I can't say no to anything" before recommending his son, Skip.

Notre Dame, however, said Friday that no contracts have been offered and no news conference is scheduled.

The principles -- especially Shanahan, Mariucci and Neuheisel -- all have said they aren't interested in Notre Dame.

Tuesday, Shanahan told The Denver Post he is not interested in the Notre Dame job. He is a Chicago native and an Irish Cathloic, but has steadily indicated he'd like to remain in Denver. He has three years left on a contract that makes him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NFL.

Wednesday, Broncos owner Pat Bowlen told the Post: "Mike and I have talked about it. Mike's not interested. And what's he going to do with his new house? That's the first thing I asked him: 'Oh, yeah, you're going to go to South Bend? What are they going to do, buy your house?' "

Mariucci angrily denied rumors on Wednesday.

"I don't know anything about that," Mariucci said. "I don't know where that came from. I addressed that last week. My plan is to stay here in San Francisco, and if anything has changed, I'm unaware of it."

Mariucci has a five-year contract through 2003 with the 49ers. He says his future beyond that depends on San Francisco ownership.

"All I can say, and with as much honesty as I can tell you, is I want to be a 49er for a long time and win some Super Bowls," Mariucci told Bay Area media on Thursday. "Our ownership and front office knows that. That's what I want. That's what I think about, dwell on. That's my aim and that's my goal."

San Francisco team director John York said that he granted Notre Dame permission to speak with Mariucci two weeks ago. "I granted that permission for a short period of time," said York, a Notre Dame graduate. "Steve decided he did not want to respond to that."

Neuheisel is finishing the third year of a five-year deal at Washington, currently worth $1.2 million a year -- plus he has a two-year extension that kicks in by mutal agreement of both parties. According to Seattle-area media reports, Neuheisel owes Washington $100,000 if he leaves while still under contract.

A University of Washington spokesman said during Notre Dame's search that led to George O'Leary that Neuheisel wasn't interested in the Irish job.