FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas assistant Dick Booth said he had only one concern during the Razorbacks search for John McDonnell's replacement.

"I hope that I haven't gone from a prospective head coach to no job at all," he said Friday.

McDonnell's long-time sidekick doesn't have to worry after new Arkansas coach Chris Bucknam announced his plans to retain Booth in 2008. But it doesn't mean Booth will necessarily be working for the Razorbacks next fall.

Booth, who has been at Arkansas for 25 years, said he will listen for other head coaching opportunities in the next few weeks. Booth is in Eugene, Ore., for the U.S. Olympic Trials and said he has to keep his options open even though he plans to remain with the Razorbacks.

"I wouldn't say that if a good head coaching opportunity opened this summer I wouldn't look at it," Booth said. "But I love Arkansas. I was never planning to leave. I was hoping that I could retire there and (Bucknam's offer) would give me the opportunity to do that. I thought that maybe the last few years would be as a head coach and it looks like it's not going to be that way. But an assistant coach at Arkansas is better than head coach at about any place."

Booth interviewed with Arkansas athletic director Jeff Long for the position before the NCAA Outdoor Championships last month. He had plenty of support from Arkansas athletes, but didn't get the job.

Booth and assistant Kyle White learned about Arkansas' decision in Eugene. Someone approached Danny Green, Arkansas' director of cross country and track and field operations, asking about Bucknam's hire.

"I wasn't even called," Booth said. "I guess my attitude is it doesn't matter how you hear. The only thing that matters is what you hear and the accuracy of it."

Booth said he's not angry. He also made it clear he would have no problem working with Bucknam.

But he wants to make sure an opportunity to work as a head coach doesn't slip by in the next few weeks.

"I'm pleased to have a job," he said. "I preferred the head coaching job; I was kind of disappointed that didn't work out. But I've known Chris a long time. He asked if he got the job would I be willing to stay? I said, 'That's the best offer I've got so far.' I don't have a string of opportunities out there and I would have no problem working with him."