The ongoing tension between the University of Tennessee and Pahokee High School seems to be easing.
Two weeks after UT running backs coach Eddie Gran was asked to leave the South Florida high school, he is expected to attend practice there today (Tuesday), a source close to the situation said.
And he’s not going alone.
According to the source, Gran will attend the practice at Pahokee with Henry Crawford Jr., the town’s vice mayor.
Neither Crawford nor Gran could be reached for immediate comment Tuesday morning.
The problems began after the Vols signed Pahokee wide receiver Nu’Keese Richardson, who had been previously committed to Florida before the Vols changed his mind shortly before signing day.
During a recruiting celebration with boosters, UT coach Lane Kiffin said that he had Richardson fax his letter of intent from the middle school so no one at Pahokee would “screw it up.”
Kiffin later apologized for those and other comments about Pahokee, saying they weren’t meant to offend and he did not realize media were present when those comments were made.
All appeared fine until Pahokee High School principal Ariel Alejo asked Gran to leave the school May 4.
Gran, who recruits South Florida for UT, was in town to attend the school’s spring practice and evaluate prospects, although assistant coaches are prohibited by NCAA rules from visiting with prospects themselves during the spring evaluation period.
The Vols have already offered a scholarship to at least five rising seniors at Pahokee, a school that traditionally produces several major college prospects each year.
More later online and in Wednesday's News Sentinel.
hmy:..........
