updated 9:48 p.m. ET Dec. 5, 2008

JACKSON, Miss. - Boise State coach Chris Peterson said he won’t be Mississippi State’s next football coach.

Peterson denied interest in the opening left by Sylvester Croom’s resignation last Saturday. Mississippi State athletic director Greg Byrne and Peterson are longtime friends.

“I have a lot of respect for director of athletics Greg Byrne and the Mississippi State athletic program, but I am not taking the head coaching position at Mississippi State,” Peterson said. “Mississippi State has not offered me the head coaching position. I normally do not comment on coaching positions at other schools, but felt I needed to do so in this situation.”

Croom, the Southeastern Conference’s first black head coach, resigned last Saturday after going 21-38 in five seasons.

Peterson led the No. 9 Broncos (12-0) to an undefeated season and the cusp of another BCS bowl appearance, though it appears Boise State will play in the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise if snubbed for an at-large berth.

“We are very happy here at Boise State and look forward to our upcoming bowl game later this month,” Peterson said.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press.  All Rights

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