Penn State linebackers' coach Ron Vanderlinden declined an offer from Eastern Michigan to be the head coach of its football team last week, despite rumors he would in fact take the position and leave the Penn State football program.

In a Nov. 26 press release, Penn State sports information confirmed that Vanderlinden was in fact staying in Happy Valley as the coach of the linebackers, a position the Livonia, Mich. native has held since joining the Nittany Lions' coaching staff in 2001.

"We have a young football team at Penn State and I am very excited about our future," said Vanderlinden in the release. "I feel we have an opportunity to be successful in 2004 and beyond. I am excited about being a part of the positive future of the Penn State program."

Last Monday, the Daily Collegian spoke with incoming football verbal commitment Dan Connor who reported that Vanderlinden had e-mailed him and his mother stating that he was going to stay on the Penn State staff as the linebackers' coach.

Penn State sports information director Jeff Nelson was unable to confirm Connor's report as of last Monday night, but did state that Vanderlinden was still a member of Penn State's staff that day.

Before joining the Lions' coaching staff in 2001, Vanderlinden was the head football coach at Maryland from 1997 through 2000.

A family member said Vanderlinden was out of town on a recruiting trip and was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Interim coach Al Lavan replaced Jeff Woodruff with three games remaining in the Eagles' football season on Nov. 3 after the program's third consecutive losing season.

Last Thursday, The Ann Arbor News reported that Eastern Michigan was narrowing its list of coaching replacements, including Northwestern assistant coach Jeff Genyk.