SCvol333
all the bacon u have
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I agree with this, but wouldn't it soften the blow to let the fans know now Gruden isn't happening instead of the fans finding out when a different head coach is named? (If that is what happens)
I know I never post so flame away if you like.
Waiting until mid December makes no sense. If JG wants to come to the college game then he does not need to wait and judge the NFL openings. He either wants to be here or not.
-VQAs far as candidates not named Gruden, Jimbo Fisher seems to be coveted by both Tennessee and Auburn, with the Tigers perhaps having an additional inroad from their previous history with Fisher.
Ditto Butch Davis, but multiple sources indicated there is virtually zero chance of Davis being a factor whatsoever in the Vols' search.
Similarly, Larry Fedora seems to have interest in UT's opening, it was indicated to us, and Fedora could be parting ways in the near future with North Carolina.
Elsewhere, Mike Gundy is a name worth watching. Yes, Gundy is at his alma mater at Oklahoma State, but Gundy had legitimate interest in the Vols' opening when Lane Kiffin was hired and those close to him insist Gundy has an genuine interest in the Southeastern Conference.
And finally, Tennessee could choose to speak to Charlie Strong as early as Friday and certainly in New York next week.
-VQTennessee again hit the recruiting trail hard Tuesday as coaches were stretched across the country. Jay Graham was in the Midstate today as he saw Jalen Reeves-Maybin and Jalen Ramsey. Reeves-Maybin continues to stay solid with the Vols and keeps in contact with multiple commits, including Jason Carr.
Graham is expected to see Riley Ferguson, Marquez North and Derrick Green throughout the rest of the week.
-HubbsHere's what we got this morning....
The response from Tennessee:
"We will not comment. We are not discussing the dynamics of the search till the search is over." -- Jimmy Stanton, Associate Director of Communications
It appears that Tennessee is not going to put any Gruden rumors to bed so they will continue throughout this coaching search.
Why is Tennessee not denying it? Great question. More on that with a theory in a second.
Gruden obviously denied the Memphis TV station report and certainly gave no reason to believe that it was close to him coming to Tennessee. But you could read into it that he didn't completely slam the door on the possibility.
It our understanding that Dave Hart was not out of town last night. He did speak with several commitments and is expected to be in the office for at least part of Knoxville today.
He is heading to New York this weekend where it's believed that he will do the bulk of his interview work.
As for my theory on why Tennessee might not be putting Gruden rumors to bed. Maybe they are keeping that option open that if Hart doesn't like where the search is going next week, he comes to Gruden and breaks the bank to get it done.
Maybe Hart is leaving it out there because it's affording him the chance to do alot of work elsewhere while all the focus is on Gruden.
Maybe he's not putting it to bed because he is trying to get a deal done with Gruden. We still have no evidence that Hart has sat down with Gruden and based on everything we hear and everyone we talk with ...
We have to see it to believe it.
That news station is going to feel real dumb if that isn't true.
I firmly believe it's Gruden, but if something falls apart, keep an eye on Greg Roman. He would likely bring Jim Leavitt with him as DC. McKeefery served as Leavitt's S&C coach for years.