Kansas University baseball coach Ritch Price is being linked to the vacant head-coaching job at the University of Oregon, according to a published report.

The Oregonian wrote that Price is “a possibility” for the vacancy at Oregon, though athletic director Pat Kilkenny told the paper that he had “not yet” interviewed Price.

Price said that he has not been contacted by Kilkenny, but was aware Thursday afternoon of the link.

“I’m flattered that people think highly enough of me to consider me for a position like that,” Price said. “That’s my home state. I grew up there. I wanted to play college baseball there growing up.”

Oregon eliminated its baseball program in 1982, but recently reinstated it with plans to field a team in the spring of 2009. Oregon currently is looking for a coach essentially to build the program from scratch, and Price is mentioned alongside UC-Irvine’s Dave Serrano as a candidate, according to the Oregonian.

Price is a native of Sweet Home, Ore., and attended college at Williamette University in Salem, Ore. He later established himself as a respected baseball coach on the West Coast before taking the Kansas job in the summer of 2002. He’s 173-142 in five seasons at Kansas, including a Big 12 tournament title and NCAA Tournament appearance in 2006.

“I love my job. You know that,” Price said. “There’s nobody more committed to turning this program around than I am. I’m thrilled with the direction we’re heading.”

Price has established ties to Lawrence, none more important than his two sons Ryne and Robby, who play for him at Kansas. Ryne Price, KU’s second baseman, will be a senior next season. Robby, a third baseman, will be a sophomore.