UNLV's Dan Mullen makes feelings known on Arkansas HC job 19 days after Sam Pittman's firing

UNLV coach Dan Mullen denied he has an interest in securing the head coaching position in Arkansas on Friday, more than two weeks after the firing of Sam Pittman.

Mullen replied to a video report by Mike Irwin regarding the rumors surrounding the Arkansas head coaching post. He made it clear that he has 0.0% interest in chasing the vacant spot and recommended former Auburn and Arkansas State coach Gus Malzahn as the best fit for the job.

“0.0 interest in Arkansas,” Mullen said. “Thanks for the shout out though. Y’all need to hire Gus Malzahn.”

Before he was lured to coach UNLV during the offseason, Mullen had prior coaching experience with Mississippi State and Florida. He had a combined record of 103-61, including a 54-53 mark in the SEC. He has reached 11 bowl games, winning eight of them.

Malzahn, on the other hand, sports a 105-62 record in his coaching career with the Tigers and the Red Wolves. He currently works as the offensive coordinator for Florida State.

Mullen was embroiled in reports for the Arkansas head coaching post after On3 reporter Pete Nakos suggested his name could come up with the vacancies in Fayetteville and UCLA during the offseason.

Former Ohio State and Florida coach Urban Meyer thought otherwise, stating he could best fit the post in Penn State, which was vacated after the school fired James Franklin after the Nittany Lions' loss to Northwestern in Week 7.

UNLV coach Dan Mullen insists he'll stay with the Rebels

UNLV coach Dan Mullen, who took the job during the offseason after taking some time off after his stint with Florida, insisted that he'll still be manning the Rebels' sidelines next season.

"I’ll be here … You want me to do that? I’m gonna be the head coach at UNLV next year," Mullen said. "I’ll be here. I’m not going anywhere. … I said it to the players. I told them that."

Mullen's statement could douse cold water on the hot rumors and reassure his players that he's not going anywhere despite the rumors surrounding him and the Arkansas coaching job.

UNLV is at the top of the Mountain West Conference standings with an unbeaten 6-0 record. They are a game ahead of San Diego State (5-1) and Week 8 rivals Boise State (4-2).

These three teams are still unbeaten in the conference and UNLV's game against Boise State would help the unranked Rebels find traction in the AP Top 25 poll if they emerge victorious.