By Andrea Aribe

Before the University of Florida’s search for a new president begins, one possible candidate was considered: University of North Florida President John Delaney.

Current UF President Bernie Machen’s contract will be expiring by the end of 2013, and he announced his plan to retire June 8 at a University of Florida Board of Trustees meeting earlier this month.

According to the Gainesville Sun, Delaney has many ties to UF. He met his wife and earned his undergraduate and law degrees at UF. Nine of his family members also received degrees from UF. Despite his these connections, he remains loyal to UNF.

According to the article, Delaney has spoken with UF trustees over the past year or two about the position.

“I am a Jacksonville guy, and a UNF guy. All of my four children are here, as is our extended family and my elderly parents. I plan on staying put and have no intention of applying,” said UNF President John Delaney in a statement to the Spinnaker.

Previous UF presidents were also from other universities. Machen was a past president at the University of Utah. Former UF presidents Charles Young was a University of California- Los Angeles chancellor and John Lombardi was a Johns Hopkins University provost.

Other possible candidates for the job opening include Florida House Speaker Dean Cannon and Florida Senate President Mike Haridopolos. However, they denied interest in the position, according to the Gainesville Sun.