RENO, Nev. (AP) — University of Nevada, Reno President Marc Johnson says he expects a national search to come up with a final candidate to replace outgoing coach Chris Ault by Friday's Board of Regents' meeting.

Johnson says he and athletic director Cary Groth are trying to hire the successor as soon as possible because the college football recruiting season is under way.

A head football coach's hiring at a Nevada university is subject to approval by regents.

The Reno Gazette-Journal reports Johnson and Groth interviewed five candidates for the vacant position Thursday in Dallas, including Texas A&M special teams coordinator/tight ends coach Brian Polian.

The newspaper reports they also interviewed two coaches with Nevada ties: Chris Klenakis, who was Arkansas' offensive line coach last season, and Tom Mason, who is SMU's defensive coordinator.