BOULDER - If all goes as planned, University of Colorado athletic director Mike Bohn will attend this weekend's Final Four in Atlanta and return with a basketball coach.

Bohn is expected to offer Jeff Bzdelik the Buffaloes job as early as Saturday, and if the second- year Air Force coach accepts, CU likely will introduce him at a news conference early next week.

Bohn confirmed he plans to meet with Bzdelik this weekend but added the date has not been set. Asked if an offer would be extended, Bohn would say only, "Our process is continuing."

Bzdelik could not be reached for comment Wednesday, one day after the Falcons lost 68-67 to Clemson in a semifinal game of the National Invitation Tournament.

In months of speculation linking him to the CU vacancy created when Ricardo Patton announced his resignation effective at season's end, Bzdelik has declined comment on any potential interest in the Buffaloes job.

When the Falcons' season concluded Tuesday night in Madison Square Garden, he told reporters inquiring about his future, "That's not a question that needs to be addressed right now. It's for this basketball team; this is their moment."

Still, if Bzdelik has not publicly expressed an interest in the CU opening, neither has he removed his name from consideration - as Nuggets assistant Mike Dunlap did earlier this month. He and Bzdelik were believed to be CU's top two choices.

On the day Dunlap bowed out, Bzdelik told reporters, "I have no plans to go anywhere else, but . . . there's always that 'but.' "

Just more than two weeks ago, Air Force athletic director Hans Mueh gave CU permission to speak with Bzdelik. But Mueh apparently believed no contact would be made until the season ended, and he was irked when Bzdelik was contacted "numerous times."

If that was a problem for Mueh, Buffs insiders claim it wasn't for Bzdelik, who stands to double his salary - CU would pay him about $800,000 a year - with a move from Colorado Springs to Boulder.

Bzdelik's two-season record at Air Force is 50-15, with its 24-7 mark last season the best in academy history. The 26 victories this season (nine losses) set a school record. The Falcons started 17-1 and were ranked as high as No. 13 before hitting a late slump that cost them a second straight NCAA Tournament appearance.

brooksb@RockyMountainNews.com or 303-954-5466