Bill Cowher will not be the next coach of the Miami Dolphins.

The former Pittsburgh Steelers coach said Sunday he will not coach football in 2012, and instead will continue doing TV work on CBS' NFL pregame show. He also shot down a rumor that the Dolphins had indirectly contacted him about potentially coaching in Miami.

"I'm here to say to you today, I do not plan on coaching next year," he said. "I love where I work, and more importantly I enjoy the people I work with. So I can put all this speculation to rest, and if I have to repeat this in December I will."

"I'm flattered" by the speculation, he said, "But at the same time it effects too many people's lives. I like what I'm doing right here and I plan on being back in the same seat next year."

We're guessing he will definitely need to repeat that whole spiel sooner rather than later. Jon Gruden signed a five-year extension with ESPN a few weeks ago, and he is still being mentioned as a candidate to replace the surely-departing Tony Sparano as Dolphins head coach.

Regardless, Cowher also said he has not spoken with any team "directly or indirectly" regarding a coaching position.

Cowher was not the only person denying he has been in touch with the Dolphins. Team owner Stephen Ross said to the Sun-Sentinel this weekend regarding the rumor he has contacted Cowher indirectly, "This stuff is unbelievable."

"I will not reach out to anyone while Tony [Sparano] is the coach," he added. "I hope Tony wins and stays the coach."

Ross said he learned his lesson after last winter's failed attempt to lure then-Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh to the Dolphins while Sparano remained in his emply, and he will not contact anyone regarding the coaching job as long as Sparano is still coach.