Amid reports that he was the first choice for Penn State's vacant head-coaching position, Mike Munchak said Wednesday he isn't interested in leaving the Tennessee Titans for his alma mater.
The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Tuesday that Munchak would be the school's top choice to replace longtime coach Joe Paterno. Munchak's name repeatedly has been linked to the open position, but he put those rumors to bed.
"I have a great deal of respect for Penn State, and I hope they find a great coach there," Munchak said, via The Tennessean. "But I am happy where I'm at.
"I love my alma mater, but I have no interest in being the head coach at Penn State," Munchak added. "I never want to leave Tennessee."
Two longtime Titans officials told NFL Network's Albert Breer they'd be "shocked" if Munchak left for Penn State because of the coach's loyalty to owner Bud Adams. Munchak also might be wary of the challenges the Penn State job would entail for someone lacking in recruiting experience, Breer reported.
Paterno was fired Nov. 9 in the wake of a child sex-abuse scandal involving former defensive coordinator Jerry Sandusky.
The Post-Gazette identified Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements as the committee's second choice.
Munchak is a former Nittany Lions offensive lineman who made the Pro Football Hall of Fame as a guard for the Houston Oilers (the Oilers moved to Tennessee and became the Titans before the 1997 season).
In his first season as an NFL head coach, Munchak has guided the Titans to an 8-7 record. Tennessee remains in the hunt for an AFC wild-card spot pending Sunday's results, provided it wins its game against the Houston Texans.
