AP

It was easier to be proud — and content — after the Texans beat the undefeated Bengals last night. But Texans coach Bill O’Brien did everything he could to extinguish any rumors about him going back to college.

“Again, these things get thrown out here by the media, and I will not respond to those things,” O’Brien said, via Aaron Wilson of the Houston Chronicle. “I know you have to ask that and it’s not directed at you, but anyone can say anything. They can just throw it out there and say anything. All I know is that I’m head coach of the Houston Texans and we just had a great win. And I’m damn proud to be the head coach of the Houston Texans.”

That was to debunk an initial report that he was interested in going to Maryland, which was shot down quickly after the Sunday splash.

But Maryland’s pursuit of O’Brien makes sense, as the Chronicle reports that Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, a prominent Terps booster, is interested in him. But that interest doesn’t appear to be mutual for O’Brien, who has three years left on his contract.