David Cutcliffe has been offered Tennessee's vacant offensive coordinator position, said a source close to the negotiations between him and head coach Phillip Fulmer.

Cutcliffe has been the leading candidate to return to his former post as UT's offensive coordinator since Randy Sanders resigned on Oct. 31.

Contacted Monday, Cutcliffe said, "There's nothing ready to happen this minute. There's nothing for sure that's going to happen at this stage.

"I've talked further with Phillip," Cutcliffe said "We're just talking. We're making sure everybody is on the same page."

Cutcliffe said he expects to be back in coaching next season. He maintained he would prefer a head-coaching job as opposed to being an assistant. For now, no head-coaching job has presented itself.

"I've got my eye on things, but that's not what I'm necessarily waiting on," Cutcliffe said. "I'm trying to look at all aspects. I don't know what's going to happen."

Fulmer and Cutcliffe have undoubtedly talked about the future of UT's offensive staff, which has been the focus of much scrutiny during a 4-6 season.

"Any coordinator and head coach talk about that," Cutcliffe said. "A lot of that depends on what the head coach's feelings are. You can't assume that that's a coordinator's choice. The head coach is always going to be the guy that has the say to what's going to happen there."

Thomas "T.D." Woods is a name that will almost assuredly surface as a possible assistant coach. Woods, who played at UT 1986-89, coached receivers for Cutcliffe during his seven years as head coach at Ole Miss.

Cutcliffe's attention hasn't been completely focused on the UT situation. Cutcliffe has been mourning the loss of a 17-year-old family friend who was killed in a car wreck in Oxford, Miss.

Cutcliffe coached at UT for 17 years and was offensive coordinator 1992-1998. The Vols haven't won a championship since Cutcliffe left UT for Ole Miss. This season, the Vols have struggled mightily on offense.

UT won't be bowl eligible this season so a natural transition could occur soon after the Kentucky game. Fulmer said a quick resolution would help UT's program, especially in recruiting.

"It would probably be beneficial as soon as we can," Fulmer said.