Although the OP touched on many issues that seem to get entangled in every coaching search, in my opinion, the main issue was not mentioned. It seems the main problem for me and several others is the simple fact that UT cannot close the deal on the first (and usually the best) candidate. Missing out on the first candidate is bad, but to continue to not close the second, third, or fourth candidate is simply ridiculous making us have to settle and hire a less-qualified "left-over" candidate (which should not be hired in the first place). Also, by this time the media is involved bashing us on the inability to hire a coach or repeatedly saying "another coach has turned down Tennessee yet again making a total of 6 coaches to date." I would simply like to see UT have a pecking-order very short coach list (no more than 3 candidates) for every position and then simply hire one of the three candidates on the list within a few days.
?I know that happened with the last head coaching search , but I just don't know that that has happened in this search. All I have heard is some vague media reports and fan rumors. Its unknown if Freeze was ever someone that was wanted , and it's unknown how many guys he has spoke with. The hire may have already been made for all we know. I will hold judgement until we know who is hired