UT losing interest in Knight; UAB's Anderson contacted

Three people close to the search for a new men’s basketball coach have expressed serious concerns with Knight’s age.

The 64-year-old Texas Tech coach might bring instant national recognition to Tennessee, but the prospect of going through another coaching search in a matter of a few years isn’t an exciting option.

Champ Search, the Los Angeles-based firm hired to find Buzz Peterson’s replacement, has been indirectly in touch with Knight, but the UT power structure appears more comfortable going in a different direction. Peterson was fired on March 13.

Texas Tech plays West Virginia in the NCAA tournament tonight.

Bruce Pearl of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and Dana Altman of Creighton are the two names being mentioned most often.

Tennessee officials have reportedly already talked with Altman and are waiting for their chance to talk directly with Pearl, his team preparing to play Illinois in the NCAA tournament today.

UT athletic director Mike Hamilton is thought to have already interviewed Bobby Lutz of Charlotte, but Hamilton isn’t talking or returning calls.

Mike Anderson of Alabama-Birmingham has been mentioned since day one of the search, but UT hadn’t asked for permission to talk with Anderson as of Monday.

That has since changed, the News Sentinel learned, and Tennessee has been granted permission to talk with Anderson.

Anderson led the Blazers to the NCAA tournament and a first-round blowout of LSU before losing to Arizona in the second round.

A protégé of former Arkansas coach Nolan Richardson, Anderson has strong recruiting ties to the basketball rich Memphis area.

Champ Search leader Cedric Dempsey, former NCAA president, was keeping a close eye on the UAB-Arizona game this past weekend.

As for Knight, his name and reputation brought instant fan reaction — some positive and some negative.

But sources have said Knight’s age would likely mean a short-term fix and another coaching search in a few years.

Cincinnati coach Bob Huggins is thought to be interested in Tennessee, but the News Sentinel has been told UT president John Petersen would not sign off on pursuing Huggins.

Huggins has experienced health problems and was suspended for almost three months last summer after he was charged with drunken driving.

Frank Haith, who reportedly was contacted by Champ Sports last week, signed a five-year contract to remain at Miami on Wednesday.

Right now, the top four candidates appear to be Pearl, Altman, Lutz and Anderson.