Georgia running backs coach Tony Ball said Tuesday night that he would be interested in discussing the head-coaching job at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.

Ball was born in Chattanooga, played at Brainerd High School and was a running back and a return specialist for the Mocs from 1977 to ’80, earning a spot in 2003 on UTC’s all-century team. He also coached receivers for the Mocs in 1988 and again in 1990-91.

“I would have to,” Ball said after practice. “That’s just the nature of the business. You would think that being in this business that you would aspire to be a head coach. Right now it’s still in the early stage and my focus is getting ready for LSU, but I would certainly be interested in looking at that possibility.”

The 49-year-old Ball is in his third season at Georgia and is making $157,600, which is more than $30,000 more than current Mocs coach Rodney Allison makes. He said he has not spoken to anyone at UTC and does not care to right now because of his current responsibility.

Ball plans to discuss the UTC opening with Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt but doesn’t have a set date.

“This is something I’ve never been through,” Ball said, “and I’ve got to be very focused on what we’re doing here. I knew this could be a possibility, but I will not let it be a distraction.”