Gus Malzahn says he's staying at Auburn.

Asked if he's committed to being at Auburn in 2018, Malzahn, who has reportedly been a preferred candidate for the Arkansas coaching job, answered affirmatively.

"Yeah; I'm honored to be the head coach here at Auburn," Malzahn said Sunday. "Like I said (Saturday) night, we're playing for the SEC Championship and I'm excited to be the head coach here."

Following Auburn's 26-14 win over Alabama in the Iron Bowl, outgoing athletic director Jay Jacobs said he had spoken to Malzahn regarding his future with the program last week but had yet to discuss a new contract.

"Gus and I will talk about (a new contract), but the way Gus is, he doesn't like to talk about things until everything is over," Jacobs said. "He'll be completely focused on playing Georgia again. When Gus is ready to talk about it, we'll talk about it. He knows; I've already mentioned it to him. He said he's perfectly happy here at Auburn and wants to stay here."

Last week, Auburn president Steven Leath said if a contract extension or renegotiation has to happen with Malzahn before Auburn hires a new athletic director, both he and Jacobs will be involved in the decision-making.

Malzahn, who is making $4.725 million annually, is signed at Auburn through 2020. If he were to leave for another job he would owe Auburn the sum of any payments owed to the assistant coaches who either don't follow him to a new employer or are not retained by the new coaching staff.

Jacobs said Malzahn's agents, Jimmy Sexton and Rick Landrum, had not been in contact with him regarding a new contract.

James Crepea is an Auburn beat reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @JamesCrepea.