Fox Sports: How every rumored candidate is denying interest in the Texas job

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If you were out of the Texas loop over the weekend, let’s get caught up by looking at the major names that have been thrown around and what each one has said (or not said) about the gig they’re rumored to be a candidate for.

Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers

"I always had a desire to compete in this sport at the highest level," Tomlin told reporters Sunday. "But you don't know if those opportunities are going to be presented to you. I think that once you're exposed to football at this level, you realize there's only one bowl game – the Super Bowl. The rest of that stuff is nice trips and sweatsuits and watches."

Jim Harbaugh, San Francisco 49ers

"Are you trying to be funny?” Harbaugh said when asked last week about the Texas job. “I don’t ever talk about any job other than the one I have.”

It all sounds good, but as Silver reported, the Niners approach Harbaugh with an extension in the offseason that he turned down because he “didn’t like the numbers.” That doesn’t mean he won’t sign the next offer, but he might also like Texas’ numbers if he ever gives the Horns a chance to present them.

It’s also Harbaugh’s third season in San Francisco, and he isn’t known for staying long at any job. As one source familiar with Harbaugh’s time at Stanford told FOX Sports, “His life pattern at any endeavor is 3-5 years. He wears out his welcome everywhere, but he is smart enough to realize that he wears out his welcome.”

Nick Saban, Alabama

On Saturday, Saban told ESPN’s Chris Low that he never had any interest in Texas or any job other than Alabama. “I never considered going to Texas,” Saban said. “That wasn’t even a conversation. I knew that if Mack stepped down, there would probably be an opportunity, but it wasn't something I was interested in doing, not at this stage in my career."

David Shaw, Stanford

Stanford’s contracts are private and can be viewed on only a delayed basis on the university’s Form 990 IRS filing, but Shaw’s deal is believed to be in the $2-2.5 million range, a long way from what Texas would presumably offer him. Would Texas’ money pull him to Austin?

Those around Stanford don’t believe so. As one source said, if this is about making the most money for Shaw, then he’ll have that opportunity again in the near future via the NFL. If he’s going to leave Stanford in the coming years, it’s believed that he would do so at that time with a pro opportunity in hand.

Kevin Sumlin (Texas A&M), Art Briles (Baylor), Jim Mora (UCLA)

Sumlin was a rumored candidate for the USC job recently and said publicly that he wouldn’t be speculating about that, so it’s no surprise he’s not engaging on the latest rumors.

More importantly, Sumlin signed a six-year extension with Texas A&M worth $5 million per year, which includes a $5 million buyout through the 2016 season.

Baylor locked up Briles to a 10-year deal earlier this season worth $4 million annually, a strong commitment to the coach who has built the Bears into one of college football’s most entertaining programs.

Mora’s representatives used the Washington speculation to secure a six-year extension for the Bruins’ head coach, which doesn’t mean Texas can’t obliterate the financials of that deal if it wants. But for now, Mora can say he’s committed to UCLA and have the documents to prove it.

Chip Kelly, Philadelphia Eagles

Kelly told reporters, “I understand you have to ask the question, but I’m not involved in any jobs. I’m the coach of the Philadelphia Eagles … and I’m going to be here for a while.”

Kelly called any rumors linking him to college jobs – be it USC or Texas – “just speculation.”

Todd Graham, Arizona State

Asked about the Texas rumors Sunday, Graham mostly praised Mack Brown’s career and reiterated that he wants to build Texas-style standards at Arizona State.

“I want to build a national power here,” Graham said, before continuing on about wanting big expectations and playing only for championships and creating an atmosphere where anything less than 11 wins is not considered a success.

Jimbo Fisher (Florida State), Gus Malzahn (Auburn)

The two coaches playing in the BCS national title have both signed extensions with their respective schools and, unlike other coaches in lesser bowls, would find it difficult walking away from a championship game for Texas.

Somehow, the media didn’t get to Fisher to ask him about the Texas rumors, although Fisher did say on the media tour, “I like where we are as a program right now. We’re very blessed to have a Heisman winner and a chance to win the national championship this year.”

Still waiting comment, denial or extension from: James Franklin (Vanderbilt), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Les Miles (LSU), Mark Dantonio (Michigan State), Mystery Coach X, half of the NFL.

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