Pitino shuts down Alabama rumors, 'very happy' with Gophers

Richard Pitino is not going to be the next head coach at the University of Alabama.

Minnesota's 32-year-old coach on Friday shut down reports tying him to college basketball coaching vacancies by saying he's "very happy at the University of Minnesota." Here's Pitino's full statement, as released by the Gopher men's basketball department.

Pitino doesn't mention specific rumors, like Alabama, in his statement, but ESPN's Jeff Goodman reports Pitino has withdrawn his name from the Alabama search.

Pitino was first tied to Alabama via a report from the Star Tribune earlier this week.

He was previously connected to openings at Tennessee and St. John's, but both jobs were quickly filled.