FLORENCE — North Alabama football coach Terry Bowden said Wednesday that there is no validity to rumors that he is a candidate to become the head coach at New Mexico.

Bowden’s name was being mentioned by various media and Internet message boards in New Mexico as being one of the leading candidates to become the next coach of the Lobos.

“I am not a candidate for the New Mexico job,” Bowden said Wednesday night.

“I’m not sure where that

got started but no one from New Mexico has contacted me and I have not contacted anyone from New Mexico. I am not interested in New Mexico.”

Bowden said he is totally focused on Saturday’s game at Valdosta State, which will likely determine the Lions’ playoff fate.

“When I was young it was kind of nice to have my name mentioned with different jobs,” he said.

“But now that I’m older I’m not thrilled with my name being out there. We’ve got a big game at Valdosta State and I’m totally focused on it. We’ve got a program to build at UNA.”

Jeff McIntyre can be reached at 256-740-5737 or jeff.

mcintyre@TimesDaily.com.