The Reds might have a new pitching coach in place by the middle of next week.
"We hope to," Reds manager Jerry Narron said.
The club has interviewed three outside and two internal candidates. They are:
Dave Wallace, the outgoing Boston Red Sox pitching coach. Wallace had held the Boston job since 2003 but was fired after the season. He missed half of this season after developing an infection in his hip that required surgery. Wallace, 59, was on the staff when Narron was the Sox's bench coach.
Dick Pole, who was Dusty Baker's bench coach this season for the Chicago Cubs. Pole is a former big-league pitcher and coached for five different teams in the majors, mostly as pitching coach. Pole, 56, pitched for six years in the majors.
Jim Hickey, the outgoing Houston Astros pitching coach. Hickey took over on an interim basis July 14, 2004, and served as the club pitching coach in 2005 and 2006. He was fired after this season, despite the fact that the Astros finished second in the National League in ERA at 4.05. Earlier, he was pitching coach for Triple-A New Orleans, which won the International League ERA title his final two seasons.
Ted Power, the former Red who served last year as the pitching coach at Triple-A Louisville. Power, 51, was hired as the minor-league rehab coordinator but was moved to Louisville after Lee Tunnell went from Louisville's pitching coach to interim bullpen coach for the Reds.
Mike LaCoss, another former Red, is currently a roving instructor in the organization's minor leagues. LaCoss, 50, also served as a scout for the Reds.
"They were all outstanding," Narron said.
The pitching coach job opened when Vern Ruhle was re-assigned to a minor-league job. Ruhle missed virtually all of last season undergoing treatment for cancer. Tom Hume served as interim pitching coach but returns to his role as bullpen coach.
The Reds also have an opening for a hitting coach to replace Chris Chambliss, who was fired.
Narron confirmed the club has interviewed Butch Wynegar. Wynegar, 50, was fired as Milwaukee's hitting coach.
"He's very solid," Narron said. "He did a good job in Milwaukee. He's very good on mechanics."
Narron said the focus has been on getting a pitching coach hired, so the decision on a hitting coach could come later.