Television station WPSD in Paducah, Ky., is quoting Murray State athletics director Allen Ward as saying that a search firm contacted basketball coach Steve Prohm last week on behalf of Mississippi State.

Ward said nobody from MSU contacted him for permission to speak with Prohm, who was preparing the Racers for an NCAA tournament game when the firm – Parker Executive Search of Atlanta – reached out to him. Murray State lost in the second round of the tourney to Marquette, ending its season at 31-2.

Ward was upset with the timing of the contact, telling the station, "I think there's a right way to do things. Considering we were still playing – it is what it is."

Earlier today, CBSSports.com cited sources that said Prohm was MSU's "primary target for now." The Bulldogs are looking to replace Rick Stansbury, who retired Thursday after 14 years at the helm.

The 37-year-old Prohm is in his first year as head coach after spending the previous five seasons as an assistant in Murray, Ky. This past season, the Racers won their first 23 games, captured the Ohio Valley Conference title and earned a No. 6 seed in the NCAA tournament.

The report says Murray State is working on a new contract for Prohm, and Ward told the station, "In the end, I think he'll be back."

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