David Cutcliffe will be named Tennessee's offensive coordinator today, a source close to the negotiations told the News Sentinel.

Cutcliffe coached at UT for 17 seasons and was the Vols' offensive coordinator and assistant head coach for six years. Cutcliffe will replace offensive coordinator Randy Sanders, who resigned on Oct. 31.

Offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens and wide receivers coach Pat Washington were not retained by UT after the season concluded with a 27-8 win over Kentucky. The Vols are 5-6 and are not bowl eligible for the first time since 1988. UT was thought to be a national title contender before the season began.

A source within UT's program told the News Sentinel that Sanders resigned, in part, because he was told after UT's 16-15 upset loss to South Carolina on Oct. 29 that changes would be made to his offensive staff. Sanders also cited family concerns as a reason why he suddenly stepped down.

Cutcliffe and UT head coach Phillip Fulmer will meet this week to determine who will replace Stephens and Washington. Former wide receiver T.D. Woods was thought to be a strong candidate but that does not appear to be an option.

Cutcliffe coached at Notre Dame this spring after being fired as Ole Miss head coach following the 2004 season. Cutcliffe resigned from Notre Dame after he was slow to recover from heart surgery in March.

Cutcliffe was named SEC coach of the year by the conference coaches in 2003 after leading the Rebels to their first 10-win season since 1971 and the school's first share of the SEC West title ever.

Cutcliffe helped the Vols to a 154-46-7 record, five SEC championships and the 1999 national championship game during his tenure. He did not coach in the national championship game. Cutcliffe, 51, has been living in Knoxville and working as a football analyst for various media outlets since leaving Notre Dame.

A press conference will be held today to announce the hiring.