Official Jon Gruden Thread 35

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#5,055
#5,055
UTLEGEND said:
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 don’t 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 Tennessee’s 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 haven’t 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 Oregon’s Willie Taggart. TCU Gary Patterson has been a popular name connected to Tennessee’s 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 he’s still seriously considering Tennessee despite reopening his recruitment. Gerald is actually slowing down the process and won’t sign until February. He's planning a January official visit to Tennessee now with a final decision set for NSD."
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Pretty good summary of what he must have read here.

Raylon on porch.gif
 
#5,056
#5,056
BabyVol on VQ


Should hear by Monday at the latest. The 20th has always been the day they wanted to announce and if you knew how to solve a puzzle on twitter it’s been there for everyone to see for a while. I’ll tell more about that after it’s over. Date could be moved up due to too many leaks in the dam (we have created a few of the holes) but Tennessee is fixing to knock the college football world on its tail within the next 5 days!!!!

4 babyvol15, 24 minutes ago
 
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#5,057
#5,057
SmokeyLives said:
I’m really curious about the Blackburn element. So he steps down as AD from UTC last June? To “pursue other interests”...... what’s up with that? He comes forward basically endorsing an open door for Gruden on the Hill yesterday. He was Gruden’s bud when Gruden was GA under Majors. And Gruden seeks his advice re:NCAA compliance.

To me, this is HUGE and represents the conduit for the “back channel.” Help?
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The Blackburn thing is not just loud but it screams that Gruden IS Interested
 
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#5,058
#5,058
volnpowell said:
I wanted to call in on 990 yesterday morning soooo bad!!

Heather said she would give Gruden becoming UT coach a .1%.

Tyler said well what if he did become coach and after 5 years did not win enough and had to pay a big buyout.

This is what I would have said...

How many people know what is going on in search?

Their answer: probably about 5

Oh, so you all must be 2 out of 5!

I mean I think Gruden is coming, but that's like me saying I am 99% sure he is coming... that would be ridiculous right?! Of course I would not say that, because I don't know nor do you all.

On buyout....

So we should not hire any "homerun" hire, because afraid of having to pay big buyout in 5 years?!

My next questions.... So what about Brice's article about him reaching out to coaches to join staff here?

How many times has he been to Knoxville in past month?!

Sorry, just had to vent
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To work as a broadcaster on WMNL, you have to sell your soul to the Jimmy Hyams cult. That is, only report news that won't get the station in trouble with the UTAD. If Gruden is hired, they'll come up with some story that covers their bad reporting. Perhaps they'll say Gruden didn't want to come but major boosters twisted his arm ala Saban. Who knows except WMNL will not admit they screwed this story up if Jon Gruden becomes UT's coach. The only guys that seem to get around this are the Sports 180 duo of Josh Ward and Will West. They will on occasion speak out of turn, especially Will. Frankly, I'm surprised he's still allowed to work at AM990. The sad part about this station is that most on the show are either "respectable" journalists who militantly maintain their objectivity about UT sports or have bought into the thought that UT is not worthy to have a Nick Saban type coach. Hyams has said that he believes UT is nothing more than possibly a top 20 job. But you need to understand that Hyams is not a UT fan. Never has been since he moved to Knoxville from Baton Rouge in 1985. He is an LSU fan.
 
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#5,063
#5,063
SmokeyLives said:
BabyVol on VQ


Should hear by Monday at the latest. The 20th has always been the day they wanted to announce and if you knew how to solve a puzzle on twitter it’s been there for everyone to see for a while. I’ll tell more about that after it’s over. Date could be moved up due to too many leaks in the dam (we have created a few of the holes) but Tennessee is fixing to knock the college football world on its tail within the next 5 days!!!!

4 babyvol15, 24 minutes ago
Click to expand...

That deserves a small BOOM!
 
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#5,064
#5,064
In regards to the local sports reporters, some like Swain and Basillio just throw anything out there on the wall to see if it sticks. Some are very guarded like Hyams and doesn't say anything unless its fact. Hargis in Chattanooga gets his info from Blackburn imo. It all comes down to Gruden as i have said all along. UT has offered whatever he wants. If he is really wanting the job why hasnt he said yes? I think Currie and the BOT is pushing him to an answer.
 
#5,065
#5,065
SmokeyLives said:
BabyVol on VQ


Should hear by Monday at the latest. The 20th has always been the day they wanted to announce and if you knew how to solve a puzzle on twitter it’s been there for everyone to see for a while. I’ll tell more about that after it’s over. Date could be moved up due to too many leaks in the dam (we have created a few of the holes) but Tennessee is fixing to knock the college football world on its tail within the next 5 days!!!!

4 babyvol15, 24 minutes ago
Click to expand...

Believe it when I see it
 
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#5,069
#5,069
WhiteOakVol said:
I totally agree with your accessment of everything that went down yesterday! Thanks for trying to keep us encouraged!

BTW, did you used to go by JUMPMASTER, back in the old GRIDSCAPE days?
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Wow, that is a blast from the past. Lots of fun on the Gridscape site and getting to know some in person. Chuck was a great guy.
 
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#5,074
#5,074
Don't forget that hubbs is State radio. State radio does not want this to leak out before they are ready to announce it. State radio had to walk it back a bit. Don't take anything that hubbs said negatively. In my opinion there's more positive news in that statement then negative.
Look for more misdirection and smoke screens Then. BOOM
 
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#5,075
#5,075
preacherwebb said:
it's amazing that, those getting their info from the AD either have no clue, or are not at liberty to say anything. i can't make up my mind which it is in this case.
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That is a big concern for me. I can't stand the state run media, but for them to be 100% off the train is starting to say something, to me anyway.

If I'm the AD, I would at least have someone at the flagship station clued into some of my activities.
 
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