PORTLAND, Ore. - Billy Grier Tuesday night denied reports he's accepted Oregon State University's offer to become the college's head basketball coach. In fact, the University of San Diego coach says he hasn't even been offered the job. 

Several media reports on Tuesday tagged Grier as the Beavers next coach.  A source told KATU one thing holding up the process was the Toreros basketball banquet, which was held in San Diego on Tuesday night.  Afterward, Grier said the circulating rumors are not true.

"I have not accepted a job at Oregon State," said Grier, who noted Oregon State hadn't made an offer.  "There is a discussion and there's a feeling out process going on, I think between both parties, and that's where it stands right now.  That's really all the further it's gone and I'm still the basketball coach at the University of San Diego."

A source told KATU that Grier met with Oregon State on Monday and that talks heated up quickly on Tuesday after St. Mary's Coach Randy Bennett decided at the last minute not to visit Corvallis as planned. 

Grier was a huge success in his first season at USD, taking the Toreros to the NCAA tournament in his first season after upsetting Gonzaga in the WCC tournament final.  Before taking over at San Diego, he spent 15 years as an assistant at Gonzaga.  He also has strong Oregon ties.  He grew up in Cottage Grove and graduated from the University of Oregon.  Grier was asked Tuesday night what are some of the factors that would lure him to Corvallis.

"It's home and it's 45 minutes from my mom," said Grier, who acknowledged his mom has been in poor health for many years.  "Those are important things but I've been away from my mom for a long time.  So there are a lot of great things here that are great factors to stay here as well." 

Grier didn't seem to think there was any urgency to the Oregon State situation.  But OSU spokesman Steve Fenk told KATU on Tuesday the university planned to announce a hire within the next few days.