FAYETTEVILLE — Clemson Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips, a former Arkansas football player and administrator, announced Thursday he is not a candidate to be the Razorbacks’ next athletic director.

Frank Broyles, who has been Arkansas ’ athletic director since 1973, is retiring at the end of December.

“After considerable personal reflection, I wish to end the speculation about the athletic director’s position at the University of Arkansas,” Phillips said in a statement on Clemson’s Web site.

“To be very clear, it is important to note that the University of Arkansas has not contacted me. I am, however, humbled and grateful for the Razorback fans and friends who have called and written.” Phillips was a defensive lineman for the Razorbacks who lettered in 1966, 1968 and 1969. He later was president of the Razorback Foundation and an associate athletic director and earned undergraduate and law degrees from Arkansas.

Phillips left Arkansas to become Oklahoma State’s athletic director in 1994 and was hired at Clemson on July 1, 2002. He said in Thursday’s statement he was grateful for the opportunity he now has and that the Clemson athletic department still faces “many challenges that are as yet unfulfilled — and, I intend to be a part of the fulfillment of our dreams and aspirations.

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“ Along with our fans, supporters, and administration, we will seek to develop Clemson into a model athletic program in the 21 st century.” Phillips said Arkansas “occupies a very special place in my life” and that he’s also grateful for the opportunities provided there when he was a player and administrator.

“I will always continue to support the University of Arkansas and know Chancellor [John ] White will make an excellent selection,” Phillips said. “Nonetheless, please know that I am not a candidate for the athletic director’s position at the University of Arkansas.” White has been leading the search for a new athletic director since Broyles’ retirement announcement last February and has managed to keep a tight lid on the process.

At the time of Broyles’ announcement, Phillips stressed he was happy at Clemson and hadn’t given any thought to the Arkansas job.

“Clemson is a good place to live and we’re very happy here,” Phillips said in February. “I can’t emphasize enough that we’re very happy at Clemson.”