The Vanderbilt Commodores closed the regular season strong, winning their final two games to clinch a bowl berth.

However, as they prepare for a bowl game, rumors are swirling about coach Derek Mason potentially being in the running for the open Colorado head coaching job.

On Tuesday, Mason, who has a connection to the Pac-12 after spending the 2010 to 2013 seasons at Stanford (including the 2012-13 seasons as defensive coordinator), denied interest in the opening via a text message to the Tennessean:

“My sole focus at this particular time is on recruiting and preparing my team to win a bowl game for Vanderbilt University,” Mason said via text message on Tuesday. “As you see, we are continuing to build something very special here on West End.

“To comment on speculation at this time would be unfair to my student athletes and Vanderbilt University. Nashville is ‘Our City’! Commodore Nation…Anchor Down & Let’s Ride.”

Mason received a five-year contract extension prior to the 2017 season, so he’s secure in Nashville for now.

Would Colorado make him an offer he can’t refuse? We’ll see, but for now, he’s sticking with Vanderbilt.