Denver Broncos coach Mike Shanahan on Monday emerged as the top candidate to succeed Steve Spurrier at the University of Florida.

ESPN's Chris Mortensen reports that the University of Florida job is Mike Shanahan's to have, and that Shanahan is seriously contemplating the job. Also, Shanahan was Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley's first choice all along over Oklahoma coach Bob Stoops.

Stoops announced he is staying with the Sooners hours after he met with Foley.

Foley then traveled to Denver to meet with Shanahan, his longtime friend, arriving at Centennial Airport near the Broncos' complex in suburban Denver in a University of Florida jet at about 1:30 p.m. MT.

"Obviously no offer, no nothing," Foley said at the airport. "We're friends and we're going to talk. And you know, that's what's going to happen and we'll see where it goes from there."

At about the same time, Shanahan left the Broncos complex in his silver Mercedes Benz, driving past the security gate without stopping to comment to reporters waiting outside.

Shanahan rarely leaves the complex on Monday before 5 p.m., when he drives to a downtown television studio to do his coach's show. He left word with KUSA-TV that he would not be appearing on Monday night's show.

Shanahan, Foley and a Florida aide met at the Inverness Hotel, then drove to Shanahan's new home in Cherry Hills Village, where they met for 1 hour, 40 minutes.

Shanahan then dropped off Foley and the aide at the hotel before returning to Broncos headquarters. He was not available for comment, a spokesman said.

Foley was scheduled to fly to New Orleans on Tuesday to meet with Saints defensive coordinator Ron Zook, Florida Today reported. Zook was an assistant with the Gators from 1991-95.

Broncos defensive coordinator Ray Rhodes and offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak said Shanahan didn't tell them his plans. "Around the office, it's been business as usual," Kubiak said.

Kubiak predicted Shanahan would stay with the Broncos. "I believe he's going to be here for a long, long time," he said.

Shanahan and Stoops reportedly were the top two candidates to replace Spurrier.

Upon his arrival in Norman, Foley insisted he hadn't offered the job to Stoops. He said he was there "just to talk to Bobby" and declined comment after the brief meeting.

Rex Grossman was one of many players waiting anxiously in Gainesville to see who the Gators hire to replace Steve Spurrier before they commit to coming back next year.

"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?"

Grossman said if Shanahan were the coach, he would love to come back. But he needs to know by Friday, the deadline for underclassmen to declare for the NFL draft.

Florida athletic director Jeremy Foley would love to make a hire by Friday, as well -- not only for the sake of the players who are already Gators, but because recruiting begins again in earnest on Saturday.

The coaching change could have a drastic affect on which players stay or leave Florida. Receiver Taylor Jacobs, the Most Valuable Player in the Orange Bowl, is also wavering, after saying he would definitely come back.

And Grossman said he has been in frequent contact with Brock Berlin, who had all but transferred to Miami before Spurrier's surprise put things on hold.

Shanahan is one of Foley's good friends and long considered one of his favorite coaches.

Shanahan, 49, said Sunday he would be willing to talk about the opening, although he said he had not been contacted.

Shanahan, who led the Broncos to back-to-back Super Bowl titles but who has endured three straight disappointing seasons, was offensive coordinator at Florida from 1980 to 1983.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.