Jonathan Lintner

@JonathanLintner

Before the Louisville women's basketball team started its season, coach Jeff Walz quipped to a sold-out crowd at the Cardinals' tip-off luncheon that he'd either retire here or be fired here.

"That's my goal," Walz reiterated Thursday after ESPN 680 radio host Jason Anderson tweeted, citing a source, that Tennessee "boosters are zeroing in on" him should the school make a move to fire Holly Warlick.

Walz said "that's news to me," adding that Tennessee's athletic department has not directly reached out to him. A Tennessee athletics spokesman also confirmed it's "absolutely false" to think university officials have contacted Walz.

Warlick succeeded the legendary Pat Summit and has the Volunteers 14-9 entering Thursday's game at Vanderbilt. While Tennessee remains in the Associated Press Top 25, it dropped from the USA Today Coaches Poll for the first time since the 2008-2009 season.

"I wouldn't even worry about it," Walz, 44, said of rumors surrounding himself. He added that "I'm focused on Pitt," U of L's opponent Thursday night as the No. 12-ranked Cardinals continue their trek through Atlantic Coast Conference play.

The Fort Thomas, Ky., native took his first head coaching job at U of L in 2008 and guided the program to immense success, including two national championship game appearances. He coached No. 1 WNBA draft pick Angel McCoughtry and oversaw Schoni Schimmel's rise to All-American status.

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Following the 2013 season, Walz spurned Ohio State to remain at U of L. His current deal runs through 2019 with a base salary of $775,000 and major incentives based on his success, team academics and longevity. If he remains at the school through April 1, Walz will earn a $500,000 bonus. His buyout through June 30 is $625,000 and after that drops to $500,000.

This season his Cardinals reeled off 15 straight wins, helped by quick maturation of the No. 1 incoming recruiting class in the nation, before Sunday's loss to No. 3 Notre Dame. The Irish's lone defeat has come to Connecticut, seemingly the only program that over the years has thwarted Walz, who often states he has national title aspirations.

Tennessee, of course, is steeped in history, most of it thanks to Summit. The Volunteers are eight-time national champions, last winning one in 2008, and have tallied 18 Final Four appearances to go with 17 Southeastern Conference tournament titles.

Warlick, 57, played for Tennessee and has served on staff there since 1985, serving as a longtime assistant to Summit. She assumed head coaching duties before the 2012-2013 season and has reached at least the Sweet 16 all three years.

U of L's run has put the Cardinals in position to potentially host opening-round NCAA tournament games, play a regional in Lexington and earn a spot in the Final Four in Indianapolis – all as their men's counterparts sit out due to a self-imposed postseason ban.

"I know that's a really disappointing situation, and you feel bad for all those kids," Walz said last week. "But we have a great fan base. Our fans are going to continue to come around, no question about it. We just have to keep doing our job."