Report: Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead turns down Minnesota

It makes sense that Minnesota would look at the Big Ten's hottest coordinator to fill its head-coaching vacancy.

But according to a Wednesday-night report from the Associated Press, Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead has no interest in signing up to lead the Gophers.

The AP reported that Minnesota reached out to Moorhead to discuss the opening, created Tuesday when Tracy Claeys was fired, and received word that Moorhead wasn't interested in leaving Penn State.

Moorhead did a sensational job this season turning around the Nittany Lions' offenses, converting it from an ineffective unit under Christian Hackenberg to an explosive point-producing machine under quarterback Trace McSorley.

With McSorley, Big Ten Running Back of the Year Saquon Barkley and a fleet of play-making pass-catchers, Penn State averaged 37.6 points a game (third in the Big Ten and 21st nationally).

Nowhere was Penn State's electric ability more on display than in its final two games of the season in the Big Ten Championship Game win over Wisconsin and Monday's thrilling Rose Bowl loss to USC. Against the Badgers, the Lions erased a three-touchdown deficit with McSorley throwing four touchdown passes. In the Rose Bowl, the Lions erased multiple 13-point gaps and scored touchdowns on seven straight drives.

While the pros of leaving for Minnesota are the same as leaving for any Big Ten head-coaching job — ample resources and a national stage, plus coaching in the Big Ten West offers a much easier path to the league title game each season — Penn State is expected to be among the preseason favorites to win the national championship next season.

In other news relevant to Minnesota's head-coaching search, Gopher officials reportedly met with Western Michigan head coach P.J. Fleck on Wednesday in Chicago, though another report said no offer was made to the energetic young coach who guided the Broncos to 13 wins this season.