Knoxville's March Madness

It was a Freaky Friday that had nothing to do with March Madness.

Lebo, thought to be a leading candidate to fill Peterson's position, signed a seven-year contract that will pay him $750,000 annually, an Auburn spokesperson said. The base salary is $175,000.

Lebo was a finalist along with Peterson for the UT vacancy four years ago. There was thought to be mutual interest again this time around.

At the same time, Peterson went on the record saying big-money donors have too much pull within UT's athletic department.

Peterson, talking with WNOX radio's Jimmy Hyams on Friday, said he would advise UT athletic director Mike Hamilton to not let "boosters run the athletic department."

Later, he specifically named Jim Haslam, the chairman of Pilot Corp.

Haslam, on vacation in Hilton Head, S.C., had a strong response to Peterson's claims when contacted by the News Sentinel.

"It's the job of the University of Tennessee, specifically the athletic director, to hire and fire coaches," he said. "I have a lot of faith in Mike Hamilton and I know this was a tough decision for him, but that's what he is paid for.

"All I want is the athletic department to comply with all NCAA regulations and to win as much as possible."

Later Friday, Peterson told the News Sentinel he called Haslam after the interview aired to explain his comments.

"We talked everything out," Peterson said. "He said he had nothing to do with it and I believe him.

"We're not going to hold any grudges."

Haslam did say he had spoken with Hamilton during the decision-making process regarding Peterson's future.

"He talked to numerous people, including me," Haslam said. "There were a lot of pros and a lot of cons, but I told Mike, 'It's your decision.' "

Hamilton made the decision to fire Peterson on Sunday.

"I like Buzz," Haslam said. "He got some bad breaks with some injuries and things like that.

"I admire and respect him."

Haslam is a member of the UT Board of Trustees and was on an advisory committee organized by former athletic director Doug Dickey during the coaching search four years ago to replace Jerry Green.

Hamilton has hired Champ Search of Los Angeles to handle the current hunt for Peterson's replacement. Haslam said he is not a part of the process.

"The hiring and firing of a coach is the job of Mike Hamilton," he said. "There are no ifs, ands or buts about that."

Bob Knight of Texas Tech, Bobby Lutz of Charlotte, Mike Anderson of UAB and Bruce Pearl of Wisconsin-Milwaukee are four coaches receiving strong consideration.

Hamilton wouldn't comment directly on the progress of the search.

"Suffice it to say I feel very good about where we are right now," Hamilton said.

Hamilton has been watching the first two days of the NCAA tournament with obvious interest.

"I just love the tournament," he said. "That's why it's so tough we're not in there."

Buyout Figures: Peterson also said his buyout package should add up to nearly $1.43 million.

Previous reports had the figure at $1.39 million.

"It's supposed to be my base of $220,000 times four (years that were remaining on his contract), my radio and TV of $329,500 and my adidas, $220,000," Peterson said. "If you add that up, I get about $1.43 (to be exact, $1,429,500)."

Tennessee has 30 days from the termination date to either make a payment in one lump sum or set up a yearly plan with Peterson.

"We've not heard back on that yet," Hamilton said early Friday afternoon. "I talked with (Peterson's) agent (Thursday).

"We're prepared to go with whatever he decides (on one payment or a multi-year deal)."