SIAP
Hubbs on TOS
"With the messages on the board, emails, tweets and text messages, Wednesday was maybe the biggest GrudenMania day ever. And as long as it remains a possibility, those days are going to continue.
What do we know? Gruden and David Blackburn have spoken. That's true. But while Blackburn went on record Tuesday, he was careful to never say that Gruden was for sure coming. He said he simply wouldn't rule it out.
We have talked to a couple of sources who have ties or know Gruden who feel like it's not going to happen for Tennessee. But Gruden is talking to people in the coaching industry for sure. It's something he always does.
We don't believe that Gruden has had any formal discussions with any Tennessee officials, but as we said on Wednesday, Gruden knows a lot of people in and around Tennessee that he talks with. When Gruden said he hadn't been contacted by Tennessee on the Mike and Mike Show, we believe he meant in a formal fashion, because Gruden has talked to people around the Tennessee program.
There are definitely some around Gruden who think it's real possibility that he might take the Tennessee job. We don't think all of this is some kind of big troll job. That being said, multiple independent people dont see it happening. Bottom line, there's still a lot of got to see it to believe it thoughts out there from folks.
The bottom line on Gruden, the #Grumors will continue and we will continue to chase them.
Now, as for John Currie, we know he got to Charlotte via a commercial flight Tuesday, and the million dollar question is where did he go from there and why? That remains a million dollar question, as we haven't been to confirm his current location. And no one is happier that he's located at parts unknown more than Currie.
In terms of possible candidates, we hear that Mississippi State's Dan Mullen would listen to Tennessee. But we are told that Mullen is not a lock to move anywhere. He's more comfortable in Starkville that many think, and he has a good team coming back. Throw in that he's making nearly $5 million a year.
As for others, clearly Memphis' Mike Norvell is interested in Tennessees opening. There was some rumblings that he's been contacted by someone associated with Tennessee, but we have not been able to confirm that. Norvell is well liked by many in the coaching world and it would appear he's on an upward trajectory. He could be in play at Tennessee, Ole Miss and Arkansas if the Razorbacks make a change. However, due to the timing of Jeff Long's departure as Arkansas AD, who would do the firing and hiring of a football coach in Fayetteville?
While we mentioned D.J. Durkin's name on Tuesday, it would appear at this point he's a down the line guy at best. Another Power 5 name we are checking on but havent found anything concrete with is Dave Dorean at NC State. Rumblings in Raleigh are that he would be interested in moving on.
Meanwhile, it doesn't appear that there's been any movement or contact of any kind with Oregons Willie Taggart. TCU Gary Patterson has been a popular name connected to Tennessees opening, but a connected source said the longtime Horned Frogs coach is not interested in the job.
Lastly, one recruiting note beyond the Cade Mays interview from Wednesday afternoon, junior college defensive end Dorian Gerald told us Tuesday that hes still seriously considering Tennessee despite reopening his recruitment. Gerald is actually slowing down the process and wont sign until February. He's planning a January official visit to Tennessee now with a final decision set for NSD."
