Susie McConnell Serio is a popular pick to replace Rene Portland as Penn State women's basketball coach. Many believe that the former Lady Lion is a natural fit.

McConnell Serio said she hasn't been in contact with Penn State. Also, she is not in the running to fill the coaching vacancy at Duquesne, another school with which she was rumored to have contact.

Duquesne athletic director Greg Amodio said yesterday that the university has pared the list to three candidates. And neither McConnell Serio nor Portland are on it.

He said others may add their name to the mix, but the current list seems to fit.

"We've kind of gone ahead with the process, and we have some names that make sense for our program at Duquesne, and we are focused on the folks who would work at Duquesne," Amodio said.

McConnell Serio's name was connected to Duquesne because of her proximity to the university. She lives in Upper St. Clair, a Pittsburgh suburb that's a 30-minute drive from the downtown area where the university is located. Even though she hasn't been in contact with Duquesne, she still considers it an option.

"I can be honest with you and say I haven't ruled anything out," she said. "I just haven't made any contact. Right now I'm just evaluating my options and what is the best option for me right now."

She said her husband and kids had "a lot of discussions" about all job possibilities, including those out of state. There are openings at two high profile programs, Louisiana State and Texas.

"My family understands that I would like to get into college coaching. I don't think that's any secret to anyone," she said. "Right now we're just coming up with a game plan."

McConnell Serio is a former Penn State point guard who holds the NCAA career assists record. She coached Oakland Catholic, a Pittsburgh high school, for 13 years, and during her final two season, she coached current Lady Lion Brianne O'Rourke.

In an interview last week, McConnell Serio said she was too shocked by Portland's resignation to think about assuming the Penn State job.

"Obviously, it would be an incredible opportunity," she said, "but it's still a sensitive issue."

Notes

Penn State professor Scott Kretchmar said a press release regarding the search for Portland's replacement would be issued last night or this morning. No statement was received as of press time.

Kretchmar, who is the only known member of the search committee to replace Portland, didn't specify what the press release pertains to.

Last night, sports information director Kris Petersen said she had no knowledge of such a press release.

Athletic director Tim Curley was not available for comment.