Kent State's Darrell Hazell addresses interest from other schools

Kent State head coach Darrell Hazell is a hot commodity, thanks to the Golden Flashes' history-making season on the gridiron. Under Hazell's guidance, the Golden Flashes are headed to their first bowl game in 40 years. But now the question is whether Hazell will be around for the GoDaddy.com Bowl against Arkansas State if a bigger school comes calling with a boatload of cash.

Zac Jackson of Fox Sports Ohio asked Hazell on Monday about a report linking him to Cal, but the coach mostly sidestepped the question:

"There are so many rumors that are floating around. Every time a job comes open my name is mentioned. That's honoring, but I can't discuss all the rumors that are out there."

Hazell was later asked whether he was actively looking at opportunities outside of Kent State. As expected, the coach denied that he was:

"I'm not actively looking," he said.

Hazell was hired by Kent State in Dec. 2010 after serving under Jim Tressel at Ohio State as a wide receivers coach. The Golden Flashes struggled to a 5-7 record in his first season, but the return of star running back Dri Archer to the lineup helped bolster the team to an 11-2 record this year. Hazell was named the MAC Coach of the Year thanks to the Golden Flashes' success.