Chip Kelly is not in Gainesville, Fla., and said he was not last week, either.
Kelly appeared Sunday on ESPN's SportsCenter in his role as college football analyst.
When asked whether he was interested in the Florida Gators job many already have given him, Kelly joked, "Is this your way of firing me?"
Kelly said whoever becomes the Gators' next coach "will be really lucky."
"I think Florida is an outstanding program and has had so much success with Urban (Meyer) and Steve Spurrier," Kelly said.
Some Internet reports already have tabbed Kelly the Gators' next head coach once contract details are ironed out and assistant coaching options are vetted by UF.
Speculation of Kelly's imminent hire ramped up last week, with speculation he was on a flight to Gainesville.
Kelly said he instead spent last week in New Hampshire, where he was born, played college football and coached for a dozen seasons before hitting the big time.
Kelly turned Oregon into a national power during four seasons (2009-2012) as a head coach, leading the Ducks to a 46-7 records, four straight BCS bowl appearances and the 2011 national championship game.
Kelly, 53, then headed to the NFL for stints with the Philadelphia Eagles (2013-15) and San Francisco 49ers last season. Fired after a 2-14 season, Kelly joined ESPN as an analyst.
Kelly's next job has the attention of the college football world _ nowhere more than in Gainesville.
