Wyant won't leave UT until job is completed

Photo by Clay Owen
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Gary Wyant, senior associate athletics director at Tennessee, stands in the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center that is near completion.

For Gary Wyant, it’s all about the water right now. When the pool is filled, it’s off to the lake to fish. Wyant, who has served the University of Tennessee as a football coach and administrator, is retiring Monday.

However, he pledged to men’s athletic director Mike Hamilton he wouldn’t sail off into the sunset full-time until the Allan Jones Intercollegiate Aquatic Center is up and running. That will presumably be in another month or so.

“It’s been a good run,’’ Wyant said. “I’ve enjoyed every minute of it.’’

Wyant has worn a number of hats at UT, beginning with secondary coach for Bill Battle from 1971-75.

He returned to campus in 1994 as director of football operations for coach Phillip Fulmer.

In ’98, he replaced Mitch Barnhart as senior associate athletic director and has been a valued aide ever since — first for Doug Dickey and later for Hamilton.

“He’s an unsung hero,’’ said Hamilton, “probably my most trusted ally.

“I’ve never known anyone in college athletics with a better work ethic, or who worked with more integrity.’’

Wyant has been especially involved with the swimming and track programs.

“Gary has been a dream come true for our program,’’ said men’s swimming coach John Trembley.

“I sit in awe of Gary Wyant. He’s humble, gracious, hard-working and a loyal servant. We’re going to miss him greatly.’’

Wyant grew up in Kansas but raised his family in Tennessee. In between his stints at UT, he was in the banking business for 15 years in Sparta, providing a stable base to get three children raised and off to college.

That experience helped crystallize his mission when he returned to UT.

“In banking, everyone who walks through the door is your customer,’’ Wyant said. “In athletic administration, every one of those athletes and coaches is your customer.

“Your job is trying to make their dreams and what they’re trying to accomplish easier by taking the menial things away.’’

The aquatic center may turn out to be the best example.

“He’s been an absolute bear on that project,’’ said Hamilton. “We’re going to have one of the best swimming facilities in the country and he’s a very large portion of the reason why.’’

Said Wyant, “If something walks through your door you’ve got to take ownership of it and go.

“It just happened that the pool walked through my door.’’

But he doesn’t see a building as his only legacy. The human part, the relationships, is just as meaningful.

Wyant was leaving the Georgia Dome after the SEC championship game a few weeks ago when what he initially took to be a car-jacking turned to smiles.

“Seven or eight large gentlemen started beating on my car,’’ he said. “Then I figured out it was Leonard Little, Al Wilson, Mercedes Hamilton, Jeff Coleman and those guys.

“The wonderful part about the whole thing is seeing how people have turned out as they’ve gone along.’’

Something to reflect on when you’re wetting a line. Wyant has fished all over North America and can’t wait to get to the lake.

First, he has a few last details to put to bed on the aquatic center.

“I’ll be around Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday mornings,’’ Wyant said. “I told Mike if they’re going to get me Wednesday afternoons, he’ll have to get in a boat.’’

Mike Strange may be reached at 865-342-6276.