Gus Malzahn has led the Auburn Tigers to a 3-0 start and into the Top 10, and yet, there are still rumors circling about his job.

The rumors got so loud this week that one of the reportedly leading candidates to replace Malzahn, should he be fired or leave, apparently felt the need to address his name floating around the Auburn job on Thursday. That was none other than retired Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops.

“It’s ridiculous … I would never, ever speak with anybody that had an existing head coach … there’s nothing to talk about with me,” Stoops said on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas-Fort Worth.

Stoops has been connected to just about every big-time program, including already at Auburn 10 months ago, opening since he retired from Oklahoma during the summer of 2017. Unlike other summer departures, Stoops didn’t leave because of a scandal, and he entered retirement despite only being 56 years old at the time.

He amassed a 190-48 record with the Sooners, which was nearly good enough for an .800 win percentage. In 18 seasons, he led Oklahoma to at least 11 victories an astonishing 12 times.

That success and his age have made Stoops an easy target in the coaching rumor mill, but this one is even more far-fetched than usual. Even if the Auburn head coaching position was available, which it isn’t and likely won’t be unless the wheels just absolutely fall off for the Tigers, Stoops doesn’t sound like a man looking to come out of retirement.