Munchak has 'no interest' in following Paterno at PSU. (Getty Images)

By Will Brinson

Earlier Wednesday, we passed along the report that Penn State's top choice to replace Joe Paterno was first-year Titans coach Mike Munchak. Penn State can't talk to him, though, because he's in the middle of a playoff run.

Not that it will really matter -- Munchak told Jim Wyatt of the Tennessean on Wednesday that he has "no interest" in taking over in State College.

"I love my alma mater, but I have no interest in being the head coach at Penn State,” Munchak said. "I never want to leave Tennessee. I have a great deal of respect for Penn State and I hope they find a great coach there. But I am happy where I'm at."

This shouldn't be an entirely surprising development: Munchak's a former Nittany Lion, but he's also been involved with the Titans and/or Oilers for nearly 30 years, first as a player and then as a coach.

Plus, the Penn State job isn't exactly an easy one: taking over for Paterno involves filling impossibly big shoes and simultaneously handle a nightmare situation involving former coach Jerry Sandusky that's guaranteed to remain in the national spotlight for a lengthy period of time.

Give credit to Munchak, though, for handling these rumors well -- the former Nittany Lion's being honest with the media while also managing to support his alma mater.

"I am set where I am at," Munchak said. "I am thrilled with what I am doing. I am not interested in the Penn State job. I am interested in what happens there, and I don’t want to distance myself from Penn State. But as far as the head coaching deal, I am. I would love to be involved in my alma mater. My point is I have no interest in being the head coach there."

With Munchak (somewhat officially) turning down Penn State, the university's search committee will now reportedly take a look at Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements.

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