Update: Even $3 million can't get Gus Malzahn to Vanderbilt

Vanderbilt fans have numbed themselves over the years to repeated kicks in the stomach from other SEC schools, but this one still has to hurt: Contrary to Sunday night's relayed in this space, Auburn offensive coordinator Gus Malzahn isn't going to be the Commodores' next head coach, per ESPN, on the heels of an earlier report by Rivals that Malzahn's answer was "neon." Vandy wanted him, and might have thought it had him over the weekend. In the end, it's just another close call.

Just how badly Vandy wanted him is up for debate. Last week, the Nashville Tennessean reported Vandy was prepared to offer Malzahn in the "ballpark" of $3 million a year, which would put him in the top half of sideline earners in the ultra-competitive SEC and obliterate the existing salary curve in Nashville. The Washington Post and Auburn beat reporter Charles Goldberg echoed that number Monday, and Goldberg adds that Malzahn was already going to come in for at least a 50 percent raise on top of his current $500,000 salary, following ex-Tennessee defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin as the conference's second million-dollar assistant.

On the other hand, Vanderbilt vice chancellor/de facto athletic director David Williams said Monday the deal wasn't dead because "there was no deal to be dead." He also said discussions with Malzahn are still ongoing, despite the growing multitude of reports to the contrary. But all indications are that Malzahn is staying on the Plains with his full attention on Oregon's defense in the BCS Championship Game. Barring an utter collapse there or next fall, he won't be waiting long for his next offer to come rolling in.

Vanderbilt, meanwhile, moves on to its second choice: Maryland offensive coordinator/coach-in-waiting James Franklin, who was reportedly "in an especially bubbly mood, with his cell phone ringing like crazy" last week after a pair of meetings in Nashville. This time last year, Franklin almost certainly expected to be ascending to Ralph Friedgen's chair in College Park. Instead, the Fridge is hanging on for another year as head Terp, at the end of which Franklin is guaranteed either the job or $1 million for his trouble. After two years in the on-deck circle, he may decide he's waited long enough for the payoff already.

- - -
Matt Hinton is on Twitter: Follow him @DrSaturday.

Molly Sims Monika Kramlik Lacey Chabert Amber Brkich Gretha Cavazzoni