An Iowa college coach’s record has raised interest at another school. UNI baseball coach Rick Heller was one of the six finalist interviewed by the University of Kansas for their vacant head coaching job. Heller was interviewed via phone, but was not invited to campus for another interview. Kansas is looking to replace Bobby Randal, a former Iowa State University coach, who resigned at Kansas earlier this year. Heller has drawn interest after leading the Panthers to a 30-25-1 record this season, making it the first time in 15 years UNI has recorded back-to-back 30 win seasons. Heller talked about the success during an outing in Mason City. He says the team fought hard to duplicate its winning season.Heller thinks the success of his program shows and is helped by the number of Panthers drafted in the major leagues last few years. He says it shows that players can participate in the so-called colder northern areas and still be noticed.Heller says he’s excited about the challenges ahead for the 2003 season.They lost 13 seniors and he says it’ll be an entirely new team and put pressure on the coaches.
