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#26
#26
Please refresh my memory. Currie & Haslam's only choice was Schiano. Once the insurrection put a stop to that, was Currie's #2 Mullen? But by then Florida sweet talked him to Gainesville instead? Seems then Miss State was considering Pruitt along with Moorehead. Mean while, Currie interviewed Gundy, Doeren, Chad Morris. Got turned down by Doeren, who Fulmer had lined up for Currie. Currie knowing his goose is cooking, takes it upon himself to run off to Cali to interview Leach, has a "handshake deal", only to find out upon returning to Knoxville, he was stripped of his authority to make a hire. And then relieved by Davenport and replaced by Fulmer. Two questions: 1. Did Fulmer knowingly line up Doeren for Currie, knowing Doeren would pass, thus further exposing Currie's incompetence to the admin and thereby paving Fulmer's way to swoop in and "save the day". 2. Did Miss St pass on Pruitt?

1) No
2) Pruitt turned down Ms St
 
#27
#27
Man this guy should work for info wars and Alex Jones

KNOXVILLE — A chronological look at Tennessee's football coaching search:

Nov. 11

Tennessee loses 50-17 at Missouri, falling to 4-6 for the season and 0-6 in the Southeastern Conference.

Nov. 12

Fifth-year head coach Butch Jones is fired. Brady Hoke is named the interim head coach. "We will begin an exhaustive search to identify a coach of the highest integrity and vision to propel Tennessee to championships," athletic director John Currie says.

Nov. 13

Tennessee junior running back John Kelly says Currie met with the team and shared his contact information, telling the players to share their input on the next coach. What would Kelly like to see? "Just somebody who is going to be honest," he says. "Honesty, that's really the most important thing to me."

Nov. 14

The Times Free Press reports that ESPN Monday Night Football analyst and former NFL Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden could be a viable option for the Volunteers opening.

Nov. 17

A large photo of Jones remains prominently placed on the back of the Neyland Stadium video board as Tennessee prepares to host LSU. A Tennessee athletics official confirms that UT is "in the process" of taking the image down, though it still remained in place as of Dec. 7.

Nov. 18

Tennessee loses 30-10 to LSU as swirling wind and heavy rain knock out some of the lights in part of Neyland Stadium. The loss drops the Vols to 4-7, ensuring they will miss the postseason.

Nov. 22

Junior receiver Jauan Jennings is dismissed from the program after he shares on Instagram a profanity-laced tirade directed at the coaching staff.

Nov. 25

Tennessee loses 42-24 at home to Vanderbilt. It gives the Vols eight losses in a season for the first time in program history. UCLA hires Chip Kelly as its next head coach after Kelly had been in talks with Florida about the Gators' vacancy.

Nov. 26

Florida hones in on hiring Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen, who reportedly had been near the top of Currie's list of candidates for the Tennessee job. Currie tries to hire Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano. The move is met with unprecedented backlash from fans, state politicians and others associated with the university. Though Currie reportedly signs a memorandum of understanding with Schiano, university chancellor Beverly Davenport never does, according to her spokesperson.

Nov. 27

Florida introduces Mullen as the coach of the Gators while Currie attempts to regroup after the Schiano fiasco.

Nov. 28

Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy emerges as the target of Tennessee's coaching search. But Gundy, who is in his 13th year coaching at his alma mater, rejects a Tennessee offer reportedly worth $7 million per year.

Nov. 29

Tennessee flirts with hiring first-year Purdue coach Jeff Brohm. One report even indicates that Brohm is expected to be the Vols' coach. That fizzles amid speculation that Davenport may have scuttled a deal. A Times Free Press source with direct knowledge of the situation disputes that notion. "Absolutely not true at all," the source says. Meanwhile, Mississippi State hires Penn State offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead at the end of a quick, quiet search.

Nov. 30

North Carolina State coach Dave Doeren rejects an offer from Tennessee, choosing instead to accept a raise to stay with the Wolfpack. Currie heads to California to meet with Washington State coach Mike Leach. By late evening, reports indicate that talks between Leach and Currie went well.

Dec. 1

Currie is "suspended with pay" after a morning meeting in Davenport's office on the UT campus. "Early yesterday afternoon, I asked John Currie to return to Knoxville before going forward with the search," Davenport says in a news conference. "That request had nothing to do with any specific coach. When there are high expectations about a great place, those high expectations come with challenges and challenges require tough decisions. Today required one of those decisions."

Former Vols coach Phillip Fulmer is announced as the new athletic director.

"What we need," he says, "is communication and trust and working together to make it happen, including our wonderful fan base, including as much as we can you guys (the media), that we're all on the same page in going forward, not looking back on the past nine years."

Dec. 5

Fulmer is in New York attending the National Football Foundation's annual awards dinner. He hones in Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, Georgia defensive coordinator Mel Tucker and Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt as his top three candidates.

A source close to the situation says Pruitt's initial interview with Fulmer went well. "He knocked it out of the park," the source says.

Dec. 6

Things are mostly quiet until just before 10 p.m. when reports surface that Pruitt and Tennessee are close to finalizing a deal.

Dec. 7

Tennessee announces Pruitt as its head football coach.

Timeline: A chronological look at Tennessee's coaching search | Times Free Press
 
#29
#29
Please refresh my memory. Currie & Haslam's only choice was Schiano. Once the insurrection put a stop to that, was Currie's #2 Mullen? But by then Florida sweet talked him to Gainesville instead? Seems then Miss State was considering Pruitt along with Moorehead. Mean while, Currie interviewed Gundy, Doeren, Chad Morris. Got turned down by Doeren, who Fulmer had lined up for Currie. Currie knowing his goose is cooking, takes it upon himself to run off to Cali to interview Leach, has a "handshake deal", only to find out upon returning to Knoxville, he was stripped of his authority to make a hire. And then relieved by Davenport and replaced by Fulmer. Two questions: 1. Did Fulmer knowingly line up Doeren for Currie, knowing Doeren would pass, thus further exposing Currie's incompetence to the admin and thereby paving Fulmer's way to swoop in and "save the day". 2. Did Miss St pass on Pruitt?
Sounds reasonable to me
 
#30
#30
Please refresh my memory. Currie & Haslam's only choice was Schiano. Once the insurrection put a stop to that, was Currie's #2 Mullen? But by then Florida sweet talked him to Gainesville instead? Seems then Miss State was considering Pruitt along with Moorehead. Mean while, Currie interviewed Gundy, Doeren, Chad Morris. Got turned down by Doeren, who Fulmer had lined up for Currie. Currie knowing his goose is cooking, takes it upon himself to run off to Cali to interview Leach, has a "handshake deal", only to find out upon returning to Knoxville, he was stripped of his authority to make a hire. And then relieved by Davenport and replaced by Fulmer. Two questions: 1. Did Fulmer knowingly line up Doeren for Currie, knowing Doeren would pass, thus further exposing Currie's incompetence to the admin and thereby paving Fulmer's way to swoop in and "save the day". 2. Did Miss St pass on Pruitt?

Two words for you...Who. Cares.
 
#32
#32
Recruiting rankings suggest otherwise but no one is burning mattresses so, maybe.

Pruitt moved us up from the 60’s to 20. Chip Kelly’s first class dropped from a top 10 to just above us. Recruiting wise, we’re lucky we weren’t a player for him.
 
#33
#33
Recruiting rankings suggest otherwise but no one is burning mattresses so, maybe.

You are most correct in regard to recruiting, maybe I should use the phrase "holding pattern." Currently we are tied for the best record in college football and a spot in the national playoff. Feels great.
 
#34
#34
Please refresh my memory. Currie & Haslam's only choice was Schiano. Once the insurrection put a stop to that, was Currie's #2 Mullen? But by then Florida sweet talked him to Gainesville instead? Seems then Miss State was considering Pruitt along with Moorehead. Mean while, Currie interviewed Gundy, Doeren, Chad Morris. Got turned down by Doeren, who Fulmer had lined up for Currie. Currie knowing his goose is cooking, takes it upon himself to run off to Cali to interview Leach, has a "handshake deal", only to find out upon returning to Knoxville, he was stripped of his authority to make a hire. And then relieved by Davenport and replaced by Fulmer. Two questions: 1. Did Fulmer knowingly line up Doeren for Currie, knowing Doeren would pass, thus further exposing Currie's incompetence to the admin and thereby paving Fulmer's way to swoop in and "save the day". 2. Did Miss St pass on Pruitt?

Pretty sure all these guys said no to someone before Pruitt said yes to Fulmer:

Gruden
Frost
Fuente
Kiffin
Taggart
Mullen
Peterson
Patterson
Brohm
Cutcliffe
Gundy
Kelly
Cooter
Doreon
Schiano (said yes but others said hell no)
Leach (was posied to say yes before Fulmer blocked it)
 
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#35
#35
We could have matched any Florida offer FINANCIALLY. We had no relationship with him...the Gators did in spades!

The gators got their previous coach out the door at no cost, leaving them with cash in hand for a larger salary and bounus. We will be paying Butch for a while. And yes Florida had the inside track. Who’s compensation is higher?
 
#36
#36
The gators got their previous coach out the door at no cost, leaving them with cash in hand for a larger salary and bounus. We will be paying Butch for a while. And yes Florida had the inside track. Who’s compensation is higher?

They ended up paying McElwain. We offered Gundy 7 million a year. It wasn’t about being outspent.
 
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#37
#37
Pretty sure all these guys said no to someone before Pruitt said yes to Fulmer:

Gruden
Frost
Fuente
Kiffin
Taggart
Mullen
Peterson
Patterson
Brohm
Cutcliffe
Gundy
Kelly
Cooter
Doreon
Leach (was posied to say yes before Fulmer blocked it)

Bigger list than I first recalled. Did Taggart, Patterson, Cooter, or Petersen even get calls? As much as I hate search firms, one would have saved us considerable embarrassment. Of course that would have taken control from Haslam. But they would have ID Schiano's Penn State issue, and thus saved us that headache. However, they might have still recommend a "head-scratcher" hire. Some MAC/Google coach.
 
#38
#38
Pretty sure all these guys said no to someone before Pruitt said yes to Fulmer:

Gruden
Frost
Fuente
Kiffin
Taggart
Mullen
Peterson
Patterson
Brohm
Cutcliffe
Gundy
Kelly
Cooter
Doreon
Leach (was posied to say yes before Fulmer blocked it)

I’m not sure Kiffin said no.
 
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#39
#39
Of course Fulmer set this whole thing up. He has been planning it for 9+ years. He has orchestrated several moves and hirings over the few years to set everything up. JR Ewing has nothing of Phil.
 
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#40
#40
I like the Pruitt hire. I would have preferred Mullen because he has th HC experience. I think Mullen will do a great job at FL. We never had a shot to get Mullen because FL had more cash.

The East is going to improve drastically. Smart at GA is a good coach has an unlimited supply of talent. Mullen is a solid coach with the FL resources and talent pool. Hopefully Miami will pull enough of the talent to hold FL down.

We will have to work hard to be the third team in the east. We will have to recruit better than Ga and FL to stay even with them.

We need to get the upper had on the remainder of the east teams so we can out recruit them.

I would like to have seen us get another highly ranked player or two on signing day. I would have thought we could have sold playing time to flip a couple of players.

I wouldn't say Fla has more Cash, TN could have matched anything Fla put out there. Mullen is a weird dude and time will tell if he will be able to recruit. I'm not as high on Mullen as some are. We don't need to out recruit GA or Fl, just stay top 10-12 every year and we will be fine. Teams can only sign 25 so there's going to be plenty of parity and talent to go around. The last 6 years we are 2nd in the East in recruiting and held our own vs GA. We will be fine with the elite recruiters on this staff.
 
#41
#41
Pretty sure all these guys said no to someone before Pruitt said yes to Fulmer:

Gruden
Frost
Fuente
Kiffin
Taggart
Mullen
Peterson
Patterson
Brohm
Cutcliffe
Gundy
Kelly
Cooter
Doreon
Leach (was posied to say yes before Fulmer blocked it)

Kelly,Cooter,Mullen,Taggart,Kiffin,Frost,Leach and Peterson never said no to us. Brohm said yes then TN backtracked, Foreign would have but fans made sure he said no
 
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#42
#42
Please refresh my memory. Currie & Haslam's only choice was Schiano. Once the insurrection put a stop to that, was Currie's #2 Mullen? But by then Florida sweet talked him to Gainesville instead? Seems then Miss State was considering Pruitt along with Moorehead. Mean while, Currie interviewed Gundy, Doeren, Chad Morris. Got turned down by Doeren, who Fulmer had lined up for Currie. Currie knowing his goose is cooking, takes it upon himself to run off to Cali to interview Leach, has a "handshake deal", only to find out upon returning to Knoxville, he was stripped of his authority to make a hire. And then relieved by Davenport and replaced by Fulmer. Two questions: 1. Did Fulmer knowingly line up Doeren for Currie, knowing Doeren would pass, thus further exposing Currie's incompetence to the admin and thereby paving Fulmer's way to swoop in and "save the day". 2. Did Miss St pass on Pruitt?

Media (and some fan) speculation was that Mullen was at the top of the list, until we realized it was Schiano all along. And according to Trey Wallace, Mullen was interested, but Currie never showed for a scheduled Mullen interview....obviously that ended any chance we might’ve had and it reportedly really pissed off Mullen’s agent Jimmy Sexton. So, I’d assume no, Mullen wasn’t Currie’s#2....there actually wasnt a 2, 3 or 4 candidate....Currie put all his eggs in the Schiano basket, hence the complete crapfest “coaching search” after the Vols fans shut down the fixed Schiano hire.
 
#43
#43
Media (and some fan) speculation was that Mullen was at the top of the list, until we realized it was Schiano all along. And according to Trey Wallace, Mullen was interested, but Currie never showed for a scheduled Mullen interview....obviously that ended any chance we might’ve had and it reportedly really pissed off Mullen’s agent Jimmy Sexton. So, I’d assume no, Mullen wasn’t Currie’s#2....there actually wasnt a 2, 3 or 4 candidate....Currie put all his eggs in the Schiano basket, hence the complete crapfest “coaching search” after the Vols fans shut down the fixed Schiano hire.

According to Trey Wallace, Gruden was almost a done deal. :hmm:
 
#46
#46
This might stir the pot, but when did a BIG time HC or highly coveted Assistant Coach EVER come to Tennessee? Doug Dickey is the only one.



Majors? ok...a legend here, with one great season at Pitt with the best college rb in his era. That's it! Why did UT folks expect something that has only happened once in the history of UT football? Part of that was the longevity of Majors and Fulmer, but since then....and before Majors.....? Think about it. Dickey only came here because of Woodruff (his college coach at UF). Dickey started the Checkerboard end-zones, Running thru the "T" and the power T on the helmet.

Hopeful CJP will work out like Dickey.....and not go to UF.
 
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#47
#47
This might stir the pot, but when did a BIG time HC or highly coveted Assistant Coach EVER come to Tennessee? Doug Dickey is the only one.



Majors? ok...a legend here, with one great season at Pitt with the best college rb in his era. That's it! Why did UT folks expect something that has only happened once in the history of UT football? Part of that was the longevity of Majors and Fulmer, but since then....and before Majors.....? Think about it. Dickey only came here because of Woodruff (his college coach at UF). Dickey started the Checkerboard end-zones, Running thru the "T" and the power T on the helmet.

Hopeful CJP will work out like Dickey.....and not go to UF.

Cool story about our team from a fan of another team...













Bro. :matrix:
 
#48
#48
Cool story about our team from a fan of another team...













Bro. :matrix:

I get it...but I'm a fan of another team that does love UT sports. Grew up going to UT games 3/4 times a year. Always hope UT wins (except the rare times when they ever play the Peay or FSU) Peay grad and odd/funny story of being a FSU fan since I was 5. I don't troll on here and praise my teams or ever bash UT. I am a fan that really care about UT.

BTW.... Jimbo is the ONLY coveted coach FSU has ever hired and APSU......really?
 
#49
#49
Pretty sure all these guys said no to someone before Pruitt said yes to Fulmer:

Gruden
Frost
Fuente
Kiffin
Taggart
Mullen
Peterson
Patterson
Brohm
Cutcliffe
Gundy
Kelly
Cooter
Doreon
Leach (was posied to say yes before Fulmer blocked it)

When you eliminate those that weren't asked and those that were never coming, that list is a lot shorter.
 
#50
#50
I’m not sure Kiffin said no.

If he was asked, it would have to have been by Fulmer. Kiffin publicly said Currie told his "contact" (Sexton?) that he would not be considered.

And I don't think anyone believes Fulmer would even look at him if they were in the same room. The only people in Tennessee who wanted Kiffin were idiots.
 
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