I've tried contacting both Murray State basketball coach Steve Prohm and his athletics director, Allen Ward, regarding the Mississippi State vacancy. I have not heard back from Prohm, but Ward responded this afternoon to an email I sent him.

Ward is done talking about Prohm for now. His response to me: "At this time, I'm not making any further comment as to Coach Prohm and his contact with MSU. I hope to have a statement in the coming days."

That's it. What kind of statement? Perhaps it will be related to the new contract Murray State is hammering out with Prohm.

According to the Paducah (Ky.) Sun, the first-year head coach has a base salary of $195,000, plus an additional $10,000 for radio and television responsibilities. He'll receive at least $31,000 in contracted bonuses, including $500 per week for the 14 weeks the Racers have been nationally ranked.

"I believe he wants to be in Murray, and I’m going to do everything I can within what I have to work with," Ward said in today's Sun. "I believe we’re going to put ourselves in a good position for where we are as a program."

Parker Executive Search contacted Prohm on behalf of MSU last week, a move that rankled Ward. The Racers recently ended their season in the second round of the NCAA tournament, losing to Marquette on Saturday to finish 31-2. The 37-year-old Prohm has said he's very happy at Murray State.