DENVER -- Mike Shanahan decided Tuesday to stay with the Denver Broncos, turning down a possible move to succeed Steve Spurrier as Florida football coach.

Shanahan said he spoke with Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley, but they didn't discuss contracts or salary.

"I listened to him as a friend, as a guy that I respect an awful lot, and listened to what the University of Florida had to offer," he said.

Shanahan said his main question was whether Denver Broncos owner Pat Bowlen wanted him to stay. Bowlen does and "that's all I needed to know," he said.

"I think I've got the best job in pro sports. I've got a job to do and I would not want to walk out or leave with an 8-8 season," he said.

Bowlen told reporters gathered at the news conference that Shanahan has four years on his contract but will remain in Denver long after that.

"As long as Mike wants to be the head coach here in Denver, he will be the head coach here in Denver," Bowlen said.

Shanahan became the second high-profile coach in two days to withdraw as a candidate. Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops said he was staying with the Sooners hours after he met with Foley on Monday.

Foley then traveled to Denver to meet with Shanahan, his longtime friend. The pair met for nearly two hours at Shanahan's home, then again at breakfast Tuesday.

Foley departed aboard a university jet, reportedly bound for New Orleans to talk to Saints defensive coordinator Ron Zook, a former Gators assistant who also has been mentioned as a candidate.

Shanahan canceled his Monday night appearance on his coach's show on KUSA-TV to meet with Foley.

Shanahan led the Broncos to Super Bowl titles in 1998 and 1999 but has endured three straight disappointing seasons. He was offensive coordinator at Florida from 1980-83 and has been the coach of the Broncos since 1995.

ESPN.com's Len Pasquarelli and the Rocky Mountain News are reporting that Foley also is expected to meet with Saints offensive coordinator Mike McCarthy, a bit of a surprise, since the New Orleans offense struggled throughout the 2001 season.

Foley is also thought to like Rick Neuheisel of Washington, Mike Bellotti of Oregon and a longshot, Tim Murphy of Harvard, although nobody knows who might be next on his list.

"I'm sure he's got a number of guys he's going to pursue," Shanahan said. "Like anyone, I'm sure he's got a pecking order, and he's going to make a decision after he talks to a number of guys."

Waiting for a decision is quarterback Rex Grossman, who said he would love to stay if Shanahan came, but wasn't sure beyond that.

Grossman, a sophomore, has until Friday to declare for the NFL draft. He was planning on returning, but Spurrier's sudden resignation changed things.

"I would love to come back and play," Grossman said. "I am not ready to leave, but it may be the best decision for me in the NFL. Who knows?"

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.