Washington State coach Mike Price says he will not be switching Pac-10 schools.

According to reports Sunday in the Seattle Times and Orange County Register, Price told the Cougars that he wasn't leaving the program for UCLA.

"I'm not going to UCLA," the Times quoted Price as saying to his players after practice Saturday.

The team, which is preparing to play Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl, responded with applause.

Price, however, made no mention of Alabama, where he also is listed as a candidate. When asked by the Times, Price declined to comment on whether he had visited Alabama.

UCLA had requested permission to speak with Price about the Bruins' head coaching position, Washington State athletics director Jim Sterk said in a brief statement released Friday. At that time, the school also said Alabama had not made any request to speak with Price.

Price, 56, signed a new five-year, rollover contract this fall and will make more than $900,000 this season, according to Sterk. That is believed to be about what UCLA will offer its new coach.

Price has guided the Cougars to their second Rose Bowl appearance in six seasons and back-to-back 10-2 records (with a game to play this season). In his 14th season at Washington State, he is the Pac-10's longest-serving coach.

UCLA fired Bob Toledo, one of Price's best friends in coaching, last week.

Price's name has been mentioned in passing with the vacancy at Kentucky, but he doesn't appear to be a serious or interested candidate, the Seattle Times reported.