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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."

Pitino, 69, has not completely ruled out the possibility of leaving Iona at some point -- either for an NBA job or for another school -- but in January he went on record to say that his goal for now is to finish his career with the Gaels. Whether that changes or not may depend on what, if any, other opportunities come his way in the twilight of his career.

"My goal is to finish my career at Iona. That doesn't mean I wouldn't entertain to be an NBA coach again," he told the New York Post. "I can't say [I won't coach at another college], because then you look like a liar if you ever do. My total motive is to stay here. I'm a New Yorker. I want to end my career in New York. I live in a place I want to live. But you never know."

The Hall of Fame coach has premier hoops experience as the former coach of Kentucky, Providence and Louisville, and he has found success at every stop he's made -- including championships at Kentucky and at Louisville. That would've made him an intriguing candidate at Maryland, where longtime coach Mark Turgeon resigned at the end of last year. But Pitino does seem to have it good at Iona now. The Gaels are 24-5 and the class of the MAAC this season. In two seasons, they've gone 36-11 and are likely on the precipice of a second consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance.