I disagree. This is a sports-crazed nation and the rumors are mentioned on national sports shows. Im in Dayton, OH, and a lot of people around here know about the Gruden craze.
Lee, you are your own little echo chamber.
I don't mean that in a bad sense, so am I and everyone else who interacts with people. We bring our interests with us, and those around us get connected to our interests to a degree, just as we become connected to theirs.
I know a whole lot more about equestrian sports, and stained glass crafting, and pokemon go, and a ton of other subjects than I care to, because of those around me. And that's just my immediate family.
What I'm getting at: the people you work with know a bit about Tennessee's coaching search
because of you.
Try this experiment: walk out into the street outside your office (or go downtown if your office is not near a pedestrian area). Pick 10 random strangers in a row, and ask them to tell you what they know about the University of Tennessee's coaching search. Right there in Ohio.
My money says 7 of the 10 will give you a blank stare...will have no idea what you're talking about. Two others will say, "yeah, I saw you guys fired your coach; sorry, don't know anything more than that." And there is a chance (not certain, but a chance) that one person will be able to have a real conversation with you about it.
Try it; you'll see. Sports is HUGE to us, but we are a fanatical minority, to follow it this closely. 95% of Tennessee Volunteer fans don't do forums or twitter rumors or even watch SEC-N except on game day.