Iona coach Rick Pitino has shut down recent rumors linking him to the men's basketball head coaching vacancy at the University of Maryland. On Thursday, Pitino tweeted that he is "totally committed" to his Gaels and bluntly declared that the next Terps coach "will not be me." The public rumor squash comes only a day after 106.7 The Fan, a radio station in the D.C. area, reported that Maryland was aggressively pursuing Pitino, tabbing him as its No. 1 choice for the gig.

"The University of Maryland is one of the premier institutions of higher learning. Its basketball program can be among the nation's best," said Pitino. "I hope they find the next great Gary Williams. I love coaching at Iona, and I'm totally committed to my players. It will not be me."