To those hoping Scott Drew is going to be the next Louisville men's basketball head coach, don't.

According to a report Wednesday from The Field of 68's Jeff Goodman, Drew is staying at Baylor.

Goodman's report surfaced not long after Drew was asked about the U of L vacancy during an appearance on KRZI 1660 AM, an ESPN-affiliated radio station in Waco, Texas.

The host, Matt Mosley, began the segment by asking Drew about the Bears' first-round NCAA Tournament game Friday against Colgate. When he got to the rumors connecting the coach to the Cardinals' search for Kenny Payne's replacement, Mosley didn't beat around the bush.

"You're not going to Louisville?" Mosley asked, referring to reports identifying the 53-year-old Kansas City native as athletics director Josh Heird's top target. "Is that what I'm reading?

"I have avoided that (question); because I thought, 'Hey, Scott's happy. He's here. He's one of us,'" the host continued. "I mean, I understand other teams (reaching out). That's got to be gratifying or flattering, to know other teams and fan bases want you. But I thought, 'Unless I hear it from Scott, I don't think this is anything.' And then today, I'm seeing headlines (saying), 'Scott is working toward an extension.' So I guess I'm happy you're staying, if that is indeed what's happening."

Here's how Drew responded:

"What I can tell you is this," he said. "We hopefully (will be) playing for several weeks; and I know I've been locked in on Baylor University the entire season like I always am. Because our players give us their best; our staff's always going to give them their best.

"Baylor University has been my family's home; all my kids have been born in Waco, Texas; so (I) can't thank the community and the Baylor family for how they've loved our family. We're hoping we can bring another championship home to Baylor this year and for many more years. That's always been our top priority.

"That's what I focus on during the year; and that's what I still focus on. So, hopefully that answers your question."

Well, does it?

Drew certainly didn't say, "I plan to accept the Louisville job at the conclusion of the 2023-24 season." But in tiptoeing around the question, he didn't entirely dismiss the possibility.

Still, saying he wants to win championships at Baylor "for many more years" doesn't bode well for the Cardinals.

Before Drew's comments and Goodman's report, Hall of Fame sports journalist Dick Weiss on Tuesday evening wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that the coach had turned down U of L's "overtures" and planned to stay with the Bears.

A few hours later, Weiss wrote this on X: "Got to give (Louisville) credit for swinging for the fences. Hearing they reportedly offered Scott Drew $8.5 million. That's a lot of dough."

Drew is in Year 21 at Baylor. When he was handed the reins in 2003, the program was reeling from a scandal of grave proportions; and all he's done since is win 445 games, reach March Madness 12 times and bring home a national championship in 2021.

In January, the Bears christened a new 7,000-seat arena that Drew's ascent made possible. His salary for the 2023-24 season, per USA TODAY Sports, was $5.1 million.

If Drew does indeed plan to stay in Waco "for many more years," Florida Atlantic's Dusty May appears to be the next man up on Heird's wish list.

May, 47, is considered one of the sport's top emerging coaches after he led the Owls to last year's Final Four as a No. 9 seed. He owns a 126-68 across six seasons in Boca Raton, Florida.

FAU, like Baylor, begins NCAA Tournament play on Friday. The Owls earned the No. 8 seed in the East and drew a matchup against No. 9-seeded Northwestern.

Reach Louisville men's basketball reporter Brooks Holton at bholton@gannett.com and follow him on X at @brooksHolton.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville basketball coaching search: Scott Drew reportedly out