NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Mike Munchak says he is not heading to Penn State as coach.

The Titans coach says Wednesday he's flattered to be mentioned for his alma mater, but insists he loves what he's doing in Tennessee.

"You all know Penn State means a lot to me. I obviously went to school there and I'm real concerned for what they've gone through the last couple of months. I'm flattered that people think I'd be a great fit for the coach there," Munchak said Wednesday after practice.

"They have not contacted me in any way or talked to me about the possibility of working there. I have not reached out to them. I have a job that I enjoy quite a bit."

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had reported Tuesday that Munchak has been targeted by a Penn State search panel as the successor to fired Hall of Famer Joe Paterno.

According to the newspaper's anonymous sources, Munchak and Green Bay Packers quarterbacks coach Tom Clements are the leading candidates to replace Paterno, but Munchak is the panel's top choice.

This is the third time since Paterno was fired that Munchak has denied interest in the job. He denied it the day after Paterno was fired and again Dec. 2 when his name came up in connection with the opening. He was linked again Wednesday to the job and did his best to squash the idea he might leave the franchise he has worked for as either a player or coach since 1982.

The only assistance Munchak is ready and willing to give is advising his alma mater in the search process.

"I'm sure they're going to find themselves a great coach and if I can help them in any way to do that, obviously I would do that," Munchak said. "I'd love to stay involved with Penn State some way, but I'm very involved with the Titans and I love what I'm doing."

The first-year NFL head coach is busy trying to get his 8-7 Titans into the playoffs, which would be the team's first postseason berth since 2008 and third since the 2003 season. The Titans need a victory in Houston on Sunday and then help from at least two other games to make the postseason as the AFC's final wild card.