Cavalaris: Hamilton steps into Buzzsaw

UT athletic director Mike Hamilton stepped onto the hot seat during the Hall's Salvage Sports Source, which aired Saturday morning on UPN. The show will be replayed several times on Charter this week.

While Hamilton handled a variety of topics, show host John Pennington and panelists Jimmy Hyams, Dave Hooker and myself focused on the obvious.

Mike, you're probably in the most difficult chair in town right now. What factors are you weighing?

"Well, I think there are a multitude of factors. Obviously wins and losses are a huge part of this business of college athletics. So that's a factor. What's the plan for moving forward? What do we look like as we finish up the season here with five more games in the Southeastern Conference and as we move into post-season play?

"There's no one that wants to see Buzz Peterson succeed more than I do. I have a vested interest in it as athletic director. I was involved in the hiring process at some level. I generally think that if we can have the success on the court, he's a guy that can be here a long time and have great success and be a great asset to our community."

Don't you have to take the "nice guy" thing out of the equation?

"Sure, I think you factor it in. But I don't think that becomes the over-riding factor in any way, shape or form."

Has a decision been made?

"No."

Does Buzz have four more years on his contract and could that be a factor?

"He does have four years after this year on his contract. But I think in any situation once you reach a point of no return, if you reach that point, you can't let that be an overriding factor either. You've got to go ahead and make a move if you get to that point."

Does he need to do something positive from here on to retain his job?

"Well, let's look at something now (before Saturday's game at Ole Miss). We're 4-7, we've got five games left. It's an uphill battle, but this team could still be .500 or better in the SEC. We've got to do something we haven't done this year and that's win some games down the stretch."

How much is recruiting a factor?

"Recruiting plays into everything a great deal. You look at past recruiting, future recruiting, where we are. The fact of the matter is we're well-positioned with this year's Tennessee seniors and we've already got a couple of commitments and maybe there are a couple more out there. The junior class in the state of Tennessee is really talented and I think Buzz feels like he's really well positioned with those folks as well."

How much does attendance factor into it?

"Attendance is a factor in it. Because the last thing you want is completely apathetic fans. Certainly, basketball is one of only two sports out of 20 at the University of Tennessee that generates a net revenue. So that's an issue as you evaluate a total program."

If Peterson returns, is it reasonable to expect changes on his staff?

"Well that's really up for him to decide. I would say that could be a valid anticipation. But what I've tried to do as athletic director is not force an assistant coach change on a coach. What I say is, 'I'm going to hold you accountable ultimately for your staff. You need to surround yourself with the best possible people and that's how I'm going to judge you overall.' "

How frustrating has that been to deal with the lack of NCAA tournament exposure?

"I hate it. I hate it. There is no better weekend than that first weekend of the NCAA Tournament and the semi-finals and Final Four weekend when you're going in there and it's play and win and advance or go to the house. It's electric.

"As an administrator, a fan, I love it. So not to be involved in that as a participant just kills me. It's no secret that I grew up in North Carolina and grew up on ACC basketball and I have a passion for basketball and I want us to succeed in basketball."

Send questions or comments to AskChuck@knews.com.