Bruce Close to Terms With Kansas

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Former Ohio State football Coach Earle Bruce said Monday he is close to deciding whether to take the head coaching job at the University of Kansas.

Wording of the contract appears to be the only unresolved issue, The Columbus Dispatch reported in today’s editions.

The Dispatch said Bruce wants certain financial guarantees and obligations written into what probably will be a five-year contract. Those guarantees were not included in his three-year contract at Ohio State, which was permitted to fire him without giving a reason.

Bruce was fired Nov. 16 as head coach at Ohio State. He is seeking to replace Bob Valesente, fired after his second season at Kansas. Valesente was 4-17-1 in his two years. Bruce compiled a record of 81-26-1 during nine years at Ohio State, including a 6-4-1 mark in 1987.