Y'all are suffering from selective memory. UT has embarrassed itself beyond the pale with administrative follies these past two decades (Hamilton was promoted to men's AD in 2003. Yes, that long ago.). NO ACCOMPLISHED P5 COACH HAS WANTED TO WORK FOR UT DURING THIS TIME (Discounting The Pirate because Curry was pursuing him as he was being fired by UT).
We've had three years of Fulmer and Pruitt, both face-saving hires by a University that couldn't restore its reputation with these hires. UT still needs to reestablish its semblance of sanity, build some continuity as a reasonably desirable place to be employed. Fulmer's contract runs through 2023, Pruitt's through 2025. Any change at these positions needs to be handled with aplomb, reflecting well on UT, and that cannot transpire within the next two years. Tennessee football can wallow in mire for two, even three more years before UT can trade up, hire someone at the top of their field.
OK, let's buy into your delusion that everyone worth their nickles WANTS the Tennessee job. There's no money to get it done. UT isn't fat with cash. UT doesn't have an enviable cash flow at the moment, nor is one projected for it. UT does have some hefty obligations on its ledger which will eat up revenues, once these start flowing again.
To summarize, one can still smell the smoke of a decade and a half dumpster fire that was UT's administration, the coffers are barren, athletics is in the hands of a first-time AD whose tenure as coach was grossly mishandled by a predecessor, and the football program is in the hands of a first-time HC who is fumbling through the learning curve. This is where we are. Enjoy this cast for at least the next two years.
