HOUSTON -- Texas Tech running backs coach Art Briles, who won four Class 4A state championships at Stephenville, has emerged as the leading candidate for the University of Houston's vacant coaching job, a television station reported Thursday.

Citing sources close to the search, KRIV-TV reported Briles visited the campus Tuesday and Wednesday and met with school president Art Smith and athletic director Dave Maggard.

Briles is the only candidate to have visited the university so far. Maggard said no job offer has been made to Briles or anyone else.

Briles is in his third season at Tech after 12 years at Stephenville, which he turned into a powerhouse program. Briles played for Houston in the mid-1970s.

The job came open when Houston fired Dana Dimel before the season ended.