Conque says he's talked to ISU

CONWAY, Ark. -- Central Arkansas football coach Clint Conque said he has spoken with Illinois State officials about the coaching vacancy there.

Conque, whose Bears finished atop the Southland Conference this year, didn't go into any more detail about the situation.

"I have spoken to officials from Illinois State University, as I'm sure ... that they have spoken to many people across the country," Conque said Thursday evening. "But really I don't have any other comment because I think it'd be inappropriate to discuss it at this time."

Illinois State coach Denver Johnson resigned last month.

Central Arkansas and Illinois State are both members of the Football Championship Subdivision, formerly called Division I-AA.

Conque is 68-36 in nine seasons at Central Arkansas. In only their third season in Division I, the Bears went 10-2 and finished atop the Southland standings in 2008. However, they weren't eligible for the Southland title or the FCS playoffs because they moved up from Division II so recently.

The Bears won't be eligible for postseason play until 2010.

Illinois State plays in the Missouri Valley Conference.