Riley Wallace may not be done with coaching basketball in the Western Athletic Conference after all.

Wallace confirmed yesterday that he has applied for the head coach's position at New Mexico State.

"I said if it can work out where I can get a short-term deal, I'd be interested," Wallace said. "I haven't talked to anybody (at New Mexico State), but through my agent, my name is in there."

Wallace retired as head coach of the University of Hawai'i men's basketball team in April after 20 seasons. He is the most successful coach in the history of the program with a career record of 334-265.

The New Mexico State job became vacant last week when Reggie Theus was named the head coach of the NBA's Sacramento Kings.

Several key players are expected to return from last season's New Mexico State team that finished 25-9 and advanced to the NCAA Tournament.

Wallace, 65, said that he is not likely to be one of the leading candidates for the job.

"Between slim and none," he said of his chances.

Reach Dayton Morinaga at dmorinaga@honoluluadvertiser.com.