Report: Louisville interested in Michigan State's Pat Narduzzi

The Spartans defense, led by Pat Narduzzi, ranked No. 1 in total defense this past season. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong) Louisville has shown interest in Michigan

The Spartans defense, led by Pat Narduzzi, ranked No. 1 in total defense this past season. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

Louisville has shown interest in Michigan State defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi for their head coaching position, reports CBSSports.com's Jeremy Fowler.

Narduzzi led the Spartans' top-ranked defense this season, and was named the Broyles Award winner, given to the nation's top assistant coach.

According to the report, Louisville has five finalists for the job to replace Charlie Strong, who left Louisville this week to take the head coaching job at Texas.  

Another candidate who has emerged in the search is Western Kentucky head coach Bobby Petrino, Fowler reports.

Petrino went 41-9 in four seasons at Louisville from 2003-06. He went 8-4 in his first season at Western Kentucky.

STAPLES: With right support, Charlie Strong will find success at Texas

More from CBSSports.com:

Louisville is believed to have five finalists, including holdover offensive coordinator Shawn Watson and defensive coordinator Vance Bedford from the staff of now-Texas coach Charlie Strong.