The Associated Press

PHILADELPHIA - Tubby Smith is out. So are Jeff Van Gundy and Maurice Cheeks.

Smith on Friday said he'll be staying at Kentucky and that he has "no interest" in coaching the Philadelphia 76ers.

Several unidentified NBA sources said 76ers president Billy King spent Thursday with Smith trying to talk the coach into taking the job, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Friday. The newspaper report said a deal appeared close and an announcement could come Friday.

"I have no interest in coaching the 76ers. I am very happy as the coach at Kentucky and extremely pleased with my new contract I signed last month," Smith said in a statement released by Kentucky's athletic department. "I have no plans to leave the Wildcats, and in fact, I'm very excited about our prospects for next season."

Smith signed an eight-year, $20.25 million contract extension April 18. The $20.25 million is guaranteed if Smith stays at Kentucky for the length of the contract.

Former New Orleans coach Paul Silas now could become a candidate to succeed Hall of Famer Larry Brown, who resigned Monday after six seasons with Philadelphia.

Former NBA coaches Mike Dunleavy and Mike Fratello also are possibilities. University of Memphis coach John Calipari is a long shot. Calipari, an assistant under Brown for one season, has a contract through the 2006-07 season.

The Sixers already have been denied permission to speak to Cheeks, a former assistant under Brown and member of Philadelphia's 1983 championship team. Cheeks, who still has a home in Philadelphia, has one year left on his contract, along with a team option.

King has said the Sixers probably won't hire someone without previous head coaching experience.