New Mexico State athletic director McKinley Boston will discuss the future of the football program at a news conference today, when he's expected to announce a change in the coaching staff.

There has been speculation that head coach Hal Mumme would be let go after losing seven straight games to end the season 3-9 overall and 1-7 in the Western Athletic Conference.

Reports circulated yesterday that Mumme had been given notice that a search was under way for his successor. The Las Cruces Sun-News reported that former NMSU and NFL quarterback Charley Johnson would take over as acting head coach until a replacement is hired.

The university denied yesterday that Mumme was out as head coach.

"We did not announce that we're going to fire coach," Aggies sports information director Tyler Dunkel said. He also declined to say whether Mumme would be the focus of today's news conference.

Mumme is 11-38 in his four years as NMSU's head coach. He was hired after the 2004 season to replace Tony Samuel. He signed a five-year deal that expires in January 2010.

Hawai'i beat host New Mexico State, 42-30, Nov. 8.

TENNESSEE

KIFFIN INTRODUCED

Lane Kiffin, the former coach of the NFL Oakland Raiders, is the new coach of Tennessee.

Kiffin becomes the school's 21st coach, but only the third in the past 32 years. His selection comes after "the first national search for a football coach in University of Tennessee history," athletic director Mike Hamilton said.

He takes over the Volunteers two days after Phillip Fulmer's 17-season tenure ended with a win over Kentucky. Kiffin will start at $2 million annually, plus bonuses, under a six-year contract.

Kiffin was the youngest coach in the NFL's modern history when hired to lead the Raiders in January 2007 at age 31.

WYOMING

COWBOYS PICK COACH

Missouri offensive coordinator Dave Christensen will become the next head coach at Wyoming, Tigers coach Gary Pinkel confirmed yesterday.

Christensen brought in the spread offense that helped vault Missouri into national prominence. Christensen replaces Joe Glenn, who was fired Nov. 23, a day after he finished his fourth losing season in six years.

"I don't know if it's been announced yet, but he will be taking the head coaching job at Wyoming," Pinkel said on the Big 12 conference call yesterday.

ELSEWHERE

Texas Tech: Texas Tech quarterback Graham Harrell was recovering yesterday from surgery to repair nine breaks in two fingers of his non-throwing hand, but he won't miss any playing time. Harrell's fingers got caught in a facemask or slammed against a helmet in Saturday's 35-28 win over Baylor.

Clemson: Clemson has promoted interim football coach Dabo Swinney to the permanent job. He will get a five-year contract. Swinney took over as interim coach Oct. 13 when Tommy Bowden resigned.

Florida: Florida receiver Percy Harvin has a sprained ankle and is questionable for the Southeastern Conference championship game against Alabama. Harvin sprained his right ankle Saturday at Florida State.