Why Oklahoma's Porter Moser Says He Has 'No Interest' in Notre Dame Job

NORMAN — With Oklahoma’s season currently in a tailspin that has seen them drop seven straight conference games and fall below .500 at 12-13 on the year, rumors have started to fly about the future of the OU program.

Perhaps the biggest that has lingered has been the link that head coach Porter Moser could be interested in the Notre Dame opening, with the Fighting Irish having reciprocated that interest.

On Monday, ahead of the Sooners’ matchup with No. 12 Kansas State on Tuesday night in Norman, Moser met with the media to preview the matchup — and addressed the rumors that he has been in connection with the Notre Dame opening.

“I’m a Catholic kid from Chicago,” Moser began. “We’ve had a lot of success in the Chicago area. A lot of respect for that university (Notre Dame). With that said, I have no interest. I have not pursued it nor do I have any interest. Oklahoma is my home. The Sooners are my home.”

Moser went on to acknowledge that while the season hasn’t gone according to plan, his commitment to the Sooners has never wavered as he undergoes a roster rebuild.

“I’m in the beginning process of turning a program around in an era of the transfer portal, of NIL, and the Big 12 being in unprecedented territory,” Moser said. “Those three and the COVID extra years, all those colliding and having to rebuild a roster. I’m so committed. I’m home. This place means a lot to me, the people here, the fan base. I’ve spent so much time with the student body, with the fan base. So no, I don’t (have interest.)

"Unequivocally, that's a false report saying I pursued it (the Notre Dame job). Unequivocally. Nor do I want to. I'm home. I'm home."

The opening in South Bend was created when Notre Dame coach Mike Brey announced his retirement earlier this year. But Brey added another layer to the situation on Monday, according to college basketball insider Jeff Goodman.

Big news out of Notre Dame.

Mike Brey tells me that he is not retiring.

“Definitely not done coaching.” - Brey

Great to hear from one of the best guys in the business.
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 13, 2023

Moser’s strong statements will likely provide some comfort to the team and Oklahoma fans after speculation had run rampant in recent weeks.

But, it looks as though the OU head coach is in to stay for the long haul as the Sooners try to turn things around after a disappointing season.

"There's nothing," he continued, "that has wavered on the vision and where I want to go with this program."