Hours after his name was mentioned as a possible candidate for NBA openings, Juwan Howard said thanks but no thanks.

Michigan's head coach said he is not "listening" to potential NBA offers on Monday after ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski reported that the Fab Five member's name was "gaining traction" among NBA executives.

"There was a report of my name as a potential candidate for NBA coaching opportunities," Howard said in a statement released through the school. "While I am flattered, and know it will more than likely happen again, I am not exploring, seeking or listening. I am the head coach at the University of Michigan! I am blessed to be working at the greatest university in the world. I am blessed to be guiding a group of wonderful young men. We have goals, dreams & championships to win! This is where my focus is. GO BLUE!"

Howard's 2021 recruiting class is currently ranked ninth on ESPN.com despite five-star prospect Isaiah Todd's decision to decommit and pursue the G League route earlier this year. The group is led by four-star grassroots teammates Hunter Dickinson and Terrence Williams.

Howard's statement, which he also posted on Twitter, followed the ESPN report about potential interest at the next level. Howard was an assistant coach with the Miami Heat prior to his Michigan return.

Since his arrival last year, Howard has stressed his commitment to extending the record of success the program experienced under John Beilein. He's already a force on the recruiting trail and his squad beat both Gonzaga and Creighton, two national title contenders, prior to an up-and-down Big Ten season.

While Howard seems determined to remain in Ann Arbor, he wouldn't be the first college coach to reverse course after making a similar statement. Amid rumors about his future, Matt Rhule said "I certainly think I will be" the head football coach at Baylor on New Year's Eve.

The Carolina Panthers hired Rhule as its head coach a week later.