The search to find a replacement for former Penn State women's basketball coach Rene Portland is in its infancy, but once it gets started, expect a relatively quick announcement, Penn State professor Scott Kretchmar said.

"Getting the candidate hired and here and working usually goes pretty quickly, and the reason, of course, is we have recruits out there that we want to solidify," said Kretchmar, professor of exercise and sport science. "Frankly, for the stability of the program ... it's important to have a person in place."

Kretchmar said he's been part of about six search committees in 23 years working at the university, including the committees that hired women's soccer coach Erica Walsh this winter and men's basketball coach Ed DeChellis four years ago. He estimated the process to replace Portland would "be more in the vicinity of a month to six weeks than two to three months." But he noted that there are still plenty of variables that can't be calculated.

Search committees for the three main sports, football and men's and women's basketball, are "traditionally handled a little more in-house," he said.

In-house, he said, would mean a smaller committee. Also, Penn State Athletic Director Tim Curley factors in more heavily in such selections.

"Financing of the intercollegiate program depends on these three sports. A lot is riding on it," Kretchmar said. "So typically, Mr. Curley would play a more major role in this type of search as opposed to other searches."

Search committees generally comprise three to six members. So far, Kretchmar is the only known member of the search committee to replace Portland.

Assistant Athletic Director Jen James said little when asked about the selection committee yesterday afternoon.

"We don't have that finalized yet," she said.

Kretchmar has been the chairman of the university's Faculty Senate, but he has a background in athletics. Committees are also composed of faculty members who help to ensure candidates will fit the university's academic standards, Kretchmar said. Curley will help unify the process.

"He's certainly one who has his eye open for the total package: Someone who's gonna do us proud academically and get us back on the winning track in women's basketball," Kretchmar said. "We were perennially a top-10 team pretty much year in and year out. That would be the plan, to get someone who could take us to that level nationally."