It's possible the University of Wisconsin could lose two of its elite coaches and, coincidentally, the two men could wind up having the same new address.

Eric Hansen, the UW men's and women's swimming coach since 1999, and Jerry Schumacher, the men's cross country coach since 1998, have been approached for openings at California.

Hansen, 41, is a highly regarded coach who has turned the once-downtrodden UW men's and women's programs into perennial top-20 teams.

He's a candidate to replace Nort Thornton as coach of the men's team at Cal.

Schumacher, 36, is a respected distance guru who has led the Badgers to top-two finishes in the NCAA meet five consecutive years, including a national title in 2005. He's a candidate to replace Chris Huffin as director of the men's and women's track and cross country programs at Cal.

UW athletic director Barry Alvarez confirmed Friday that Cal counterpart Sandy Barbour called seeking permission to speak with the coaches.

Hansen, in Indianapolis for the USA Swimming National Championships, confirmed he has been approached by another school, but declined to identify the party.

"I think we're a couple days early to say anything about it," he said. "It's something that will take place over the next couple days."

After Hansen was courted by Stanford two years ago, he signed a retention compensation agreement with the UW Foundation based on the promise that a "substantially renovated" or "new" natatorium would be built before 2010.

If that doesn't happen and Hansen remains with the Badgers, he will receive $100,000 from the foundation, the school's main fundraising arm.

UW Athletics recently outlined a timetable for capital projects that said swimming and diving needs likely wouldn't be addressed until after 2013.

Hansen said the working atmosphere at UW is "awesome" and he would "prefer to win at Wisconsin."

"Bottom line, though, I want to take steps toward winning," he said. "We definitely need a facility. I don't think anybody would deny that."

Schumacher, meanwhile, also confirmed contact from another school, but he declined to identify it.

"There isn't much for me to say," he said. "I told them I would call them back next week."

In addition to coaching UW distance runners, Schumacher is tutoring some of the top U.S. hopes for the 2008 Summer Olympics, including former Badgers Chris Solinsky and Matt Tegenkamp.

"I'm not looking to go anywhere," Schumacher said.