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Jack Cosgrove

Football coach Jack Cosgrove said he has no plans to leave the University of Maine, despite reports on two Maine television stations this week that he is being considered for the head coaching vacancy at the University of Massachusetts.

Don Brown left UMass last Friday when he accepted a position as defensive coordinator at Maryland.

"There has been no discussion at all between (UMass Athletic Director) John McCutcheon and myself about that job," Cosgrove said on Tuesday. "I know there's some rumors out there. I have a relationship with John. I'm from Massachusetts. Maybe people are putting two and two together."

Cosgrove, who led Maine to the Football Championship Subdivision playoffs this season for the first time since 2002, signed a five-year contract extension with Maine last winter.

"They're stuck with me for four more that means," quipped Cosgrove.

During a six-game winning streak this season, Maine knocked off nationally ranked Massachusetts 21-20 at McGuirk Stadium in Amherst, Mass.

Cosgrove did interview for the head coaching vacancy at Rhode Island, but he pulled his name from consideration when Maine extended a contract offer in December 2007.

Cosgrove, who is from Sharon, Mass., has known McCutcheon dating back to his playing days at Maine.

McCutcheon was an assistant athletic manager at Maine while Cosgrove was the team's quarterback in the late 1970s. McCutcheon also was the athletic business manager at Boston College when Cosgrove was an offensive assistant there in 1985-86.

Cosgrove, Maine's record-holder for career victories, is 88-95 in 16 seasons.

Maine Athletic Director Blake James said Cosgrove would not need permission to speak to another school about a job, but it is customary for a coach to disclose plans to interview somewhere else as a courtesy.

"I wouldn't say he has to get permission from me. That would be too strong of a term," said James. "We have a contract with him. I'm confident that Jack is someone who is a man of his word.

"I haven't had any conversation with him at all about the UMass job."

James also hasn't heard from McCutcheon, whom he said he considers a friend.

"I haven't heard from John. Based on me not hearing from either one, (it) leads me to believe whoever is providing this information may not have reliable sources," said James.

Cosgrove is currently preparing for nearly 20 recruits to come to campus this weekend to get an up-close view of the team's operations.

Staff Writer Jenn Menendez can be contacted at 791-6426 or at jmenendez@pressherald.com