Portland Pirates Coach Kevin Dineen has interviewed for the Columbus Blue Jackets’ coaching vacancy, according to a report Thursday in the Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch.

Dineen met with Blue Jackets General Manager Scott Howson Tuesday at Nationwide Arena.

Spokesmen for the Blue Jackets and Pirates would neither confirm nor deny the report.

A week ago, Dineen confirmed Columbus had received permission from the Buffalo Sabres, the Pirates’ NHL parent team, to talk to him about the job, which became vacant when Ken Hitchcock was fired at the end of the regular season.

Mark Jeanneret, spokesman for the Pirates, said Thursday that Dineen will not comment further about the situation until the process is complete.

According to the Dispatch, Dineen, 46, is the second candidate to be interviewed by the Blue Jackets.

Last Saturday, team officials talked to Scott Arniel, coach of the American Hockey League’s Manitoba Moose.

Dineen recently finished his fifth season as coach of the Pirates.

During his tenure, the Pirates have compiled a 219-131-23-27 record for a .610 winning percentage, the best in franchise history.

Staff Writer Paul Betit can be contacted at 791-6424 or at:

pbetit@pressherald.com