For the first time since the rumors broke about a Houston Nutt-Kansas love connection, the Ole Miss head coach has publicly addressed the speculation.
And, while he did not address the level of interest he may or may not have had in the Jayhawks opening, he seemingly made it clear that he will be in Oxford and not Lawrence in 2010.
“I continue to appreciate the ongoing support of Chancellor Dan Jones and Athletics Director Pete Boone,” Nutt said in a statement released through the school. “We came to Ole Miss committed to building the type program that our fans deserve.
“Ole Miss is a great university and the quality of life in Oxford is the envy of others. I can’t think of anywhere else we would like to be. There are so many positives here, and we’re excited about the direction of the program. Our players are also excited and the response we are receiving from recruits and their parents is most gratifying. We appreciate the interest Kansas showed in our staff, but we are happy at Ole Miss and looking forward to the AT&T Cotton Bowl.”
With that statement, the light of attention on Kansas’ coaching search can be moved back to Turner Gill, the Buffalo head coach who has already interviewed for the opening and has long been considered one of -- if not the -- front runner for the job.