Tom Herman denies being in contact with Baylor

Houston head coach Tom Herman denied rumors Thursday suggesting he's been in contact with Baylor regarding the Bears' head coaching position.

"Reports of any contact between me and any other schools are completely ridiculous and absolutely false," Herman told the Houston Chronicle's Joseph Duarte.

Speculation linking Herman to Baylor has grown since Wednesday afternoon, when the Bears named Mack Rhoades their new athletic director. Rhoades was the man responsible for bringing Herman to Houston when he was the Cougars' athletic director.

However, a source close to Herman backed up his sentiments, saying such reports are "ridiculous" and have no merit, according to Pat Forde of Yahoo Sports.

Herman is widely viewed as one of the hottest coaches in the country after he led Houston to a 13-1 record last year - his first season as a head coach - and notched a win over Florida State in the Peach Bowl.

The 41-year-old has repeatedly claimed his allegiance to the Cougars, though he reportedly flirted with the South Carolina opening before turning it down earlier in the offseason.

Baylor hired Jim Grobe as interim coach following the dismissal of Art Briles.