Penn States search: The latest

The search continues.

Following a wild afternoon in which Miami head coach Al Golden released a statement, claiming he was, "not a candidate for another position," Penn State's pursuit of its 16th head coach lingers.

"There has been much speculation concerning my future at the University of Miami," Golden's statement reads via University of Miami press release. "While I am flattered that our progress at The U during an extremely difficult period of time is recognized, I am also appreciative of just what we have here at UM and I am not a candidate for another position.

"We are eager to welcome our student athletes back to campus next week and visit with prospective student-athletes and their families beginning January 15."

With Golden seemingly off the table as a candidate, attention turned late Sunday afternoon to Vanderbilt's James Franklin and former Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Munchak, along with longtime Penn State defensive line coach Larry Johnson.

Franklin, the Commodores' head coach for the past few seasons, reportedly interviewed with Penn State's six-person search committee on Sunday, but a Washington Post report Sunday Franklin to be, "on the radar," for interest from NFL teams seeking a new head coach. This, of course, coming just days after Franklin's name was strongly linked to the open position at the University of Texas.

Munchak, meanwhile, reportedly has interest in filling the vacancy at Penn State following his firing from the NFL on Saturday. ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported via Twitter on Sunday that Munchak was "scheduled to interview (Sunday) with alma mater, Penn State, after turning down a hefty raise and extension offer from Titans."

Additional reporting by Mortensen Sunday claimed Munchak balked at making changes to his staff as part of a condition to remain the head coach of the Titans.

Back in State College, Johnson remains Penn State's interim head coach as named by the university in the immediate aftermath of Bill O'Brien's departure to the NFL's Houston Texans.

According to a report Sunday by PennLive.com reporter Bob Flounders, Johnson has not yet interviewed or scheduled an interview for the open position.

Finally, former Penn State assistant Jim Caldwell, currently the offensive coordinator for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens, was reportedly linked as a possible candidate for the Nittany Lions' open position. In a report by the Baltimore Sun on Sunday, Caldwell has already interviewed for the head coaching position with the Detroit Lions and is expected to also interview with Washington next.

Blue White Illustrated will continue to follow Penn State's pursuit of a head coach as it continues to develop.