Central Michigan expects to hire new coach within the next two weeks

Central Michigan expects to hire a new coach within the next seven to 14 days, according to a source. The Chippewas are likely to retain search firm DHR to help

Central Michigan expects to hire a new coach within the next seven to 14 days, according to a source.

The Chippewas are likely to retain search firm DHR to help fill the position and are not expected to name an interim coach in the meantime, per the source. The new coach is expected to be paid approximately $400,000 annually.

Salary had been an issue for ex-Central Michigan coach Dan Enos, who resigned Thursday to become Arkansas’ offensive coordinator and got a $190,000 annual pay raise in the process. The Chippewas had paid Enos $360,000 a year, the lowest in the MAC and the third lowest nationally in reported salaries among head coaches.

Possible candidates to succeed Enos include Tennessee receivers coach and recruiting coordinator Zach Azzanni and Ferris State head coach Tony Annese. Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian told SI.com late Friday night that he withdrew from the search earlier in the day. 

A Detroit area native, Azzanni was the receivers coach at Central Michigan (his alma mater) from 2007-09. He was offensive coordinator at Western Kentucky in ’11 before serving as the receivers coach at Wisconsin (’12) and taking his current job at Tennessee.

Annese has compiled a 26-8 record in three seasons at Division II Ferris State. Prior to his arrival in December 2011, he was 30-4 at Grand Rapids Community College and 195-41 over 22 seasons at the high school level. He was elected into the Michigan High School Football Coach Association Hall of Fame in 2011.

Enos had a 26-36 record in his five seasons at Central Michigan. He won at least six games in each of the last three seasons.