Really interesting time in Knoxville right now. If what I'm hearing is accurate, and I'm believing that it is, then Jimmy Cheek is in the process of remaking UT's athletic department to fit a vision of a university that will be more athletics with a heavy emphasis on academics. And more than one source over the weekend told me that people on campus within the athletic department are concerned about where things are heading. To give you an example, sources tell me Derek Dooley is extremely concerned with this turn of events with Cheek. I was told he recently had a meeting with Cheek where he voiced his concern over a laundry list of requests including asking the university to play ball with him on letting a player into school. And I was told that Dooley was rejected on ALL of his requests. According to multiple sources, Dooley has even appealed to big money boosters over this but has been told that Cheek is in charge and they won't intervene.
So, my question is this. If Tennessee reworks the mission right out from under Dooley, doesn't this make him a transition coach? Because I'll tell you this, one of the prospects caught up in this 'reshaping' is a really key player that Dooley was counting on.
