James Isch has settled comfortably into his role as interim president of the NCAA.

He uses words like "constituency" in casual conversation, talks passionately about the student part of student-athlete, and brings a deep and diverse business background to the job during one of the worst recessions the country has ever known.

He's just not getting too comfortable.

The man who describes himself as "just a Kansan" has already made it clear that he doesn't want to be the permanent replacement for Myles Brand, who succumbed to pancreatic cancer in September after one of the most successful tenures in the organization's history.

"I had this conversation with the chair of the executive committee. I've got a relatively short period of time I'll be in this job and the question I had for him was, 'Do you want me to be a caretaker or do you want someone to continue the momentum that Myles has begun, and intersperse a few other new initiatives?'" Isch told The Associated Press on Tuesday. "Certainly I wanted to do that."

It wouldn't be the first time he turned down an overture from the NCAA.

Isch worked in administration at Kansas State, Montana State and Arkansas before being hired to oversee business at the governing body, which at the time was moving its offices from the Kansas City suburb of Overland Park to its current home in Indianapolis.

He turned down the offer saying he was happy in Fayetteville, but the NCAA couldn't find another candidate and came back to the modest, unassuming philosophy scholar.

"One of the advantages you have as a senior administrator in all organizations is you have the opportunity to touch a number of issues, you have a significant amount of breadth in your day-to-day job, and finances have a way to find their way into most activities," Isch said. "The financial area especially is one that gives you that breadth and understanding because most of them need money."

He means that in jest and laughs at his own joke, but it's a serious point, especially as schools deal with tightening budgets all across the country.

Northeastern said this week it will cut its football program after 74 seasons, the latest decision made by colleges at all levels over the past year to cut costs by trimming sports. More could be on the way as they deal with crushing state budget deficits that have slashed government aid.