TAMPA, Fla. — Tennessee is in negotiations with Detroit Lions receivers coach Kippy Brown to become the next offensive coordinator for the Vols, a source close to the discussions told the News Sentinel on Friday.
Another source within UT’s program said that Brown, a former UT assistant, is thought to be the leading candidate to replace David Cutcliffe, who accepted the head coaching position at Duke earlier this month and will leave UT following the Outback Bowl against Wisconsin on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, The Charleston (S.C.) Post and Courier reported on its Web site Friday that Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence is expected to remain with the Tigers. Spence, who is in his third year at Clemson and has extensive experience as a coordinator, interviewed for UT’s opening in Knoxville last Friday.
Clemson coach Tommy Bowden told reporters Friday during practice for the Chick-fil-A Bowl in Atlanta that Spence may make an announcement today. Bowden said Spence already has told him of his decision.
The News Sentinel could not confirm that Spence was offered the job by UT.
New Orleans Saints offensive coordinator Doug Marrone, another former UT assistant, is thought to be another potential candidate.
UT coach Phillip Fulmer declined to comment on any candidates before practice on Friday, but said he’d like to have a complete offensive staff in place by Jan. 11, when UT will host a significant group of prospects making official visits.
Compensation is not thought to be a major hurdle in adding Brown to the staff. The talks between Fulmer and Brown, one of the sources said, are centered around who UT hires to reassemble its offensive staff.
The Vols will have to replace receivers coach Trooper Taylor, who was hired last week by Oklahoma State as co-offensive coordinator.
The News Sentinel has reported that running backs coach Kurt Roper and assistant offensive line/tight ends coach Matt Luke will likely join Cutcliffe at Duke. Roper is expected to become offensive coordinator and Luke offensive line coach.
Brown’s brother, Gerald, could be a candidate to join UT’s staff. Gerald Brown coaches running backs and is the special teams co-coordinator at Indiana.
Kippy Brown, a Sweetwater native, coached receivers at UT from 1983-89 and 1993-94. He has since coached in the NFL, heading the Miami Dolphins’ offense in 1998-99.
Phillip Fulmer through the years
Barbara Dooley and Pat Summitt Go Red…
Tyler Summitt through the years
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Comments » 106
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Good man, will fit in Fulmer's comfort zone. No total newcomers will be in a coordinator's spot on Phil's staff. Period.
TommyJack writes:
PD is right.
Colliervol writes:
And possibly the next head coach?
glockjockey writes:
Let's keep it in the "family" Phil.
vol52 writes:
If Fulmer lets him be his own man it will work. If Fulner breaths down his neck then we will have problems. If Kipp's brother is good with special teams then that would be a bonus since they have been in a decline. GO VOLS BEAT THE HECK OUT OF the badgers.
gohawks1 writes:
I'd still like to see Doug Marrone get strong consideration. Is that a bust already, or have we heard?
I agree with vol52, though. If Kipp can do his own thing, I like this option too. What do we know about brother Gerald?
waterskier3#226480 writes:
GO VOLS!!!! more inbreeding but hopefully kippy will tell fulmer he is going to call the shots and that's the only way it will work.......
olozbal#646632 writes:
Who's better? Marrone or Brown?
govols96 writes:
This would be a great hire. NFL experience plus he was a great recruiter his last time at UT. A big reason why we were Wide Receiver U back in those days.
TommyJack writes:
Both are qualified, imo...IF THE PUMPKIN will let them coach.
bobbyutvol writes:
why be negative vol fans KIPPY is a great fit for the vols. ITs easy to complain but the vols are always around the top 20. most programs cant say that. Kippy has alot of experience and a great recruitor. lets get off coach fulmer and be POSITVE. GOOOOOOOOO VOLS
justin35us#209705 writes:
VolCR,
are you kidding about Sanders or did you hear that? Why would he come back and why would we want to go there again. I actually thought he didn't do well with QBs here. What's dumb about Brown being the next head coach? I could see that as being possible and would think it has been thrown out there for him to leave the NFL, at least he would get considered.
gohawks1 writes:
Heh, heh. He's kiddin', bro.
madisonvillevol writes:
spanky better get both the brothers brown. kippy and gerald would both be a good addition and would probably be pretty loyal to the tennessee program.
TNPilgrim writes:
Is Brown on shaky ground in Detroit? At least this choice would keep Fulmer's "Tennessee System" in place. Pound the rock and the heck with the spread. Stay the course. As Doug Dickey once said (paraphrasing), there's an awful lot of college football programs that would like to be 8-4 and going to a bowl game.
britt writes:
This sounds great. I wish Luke and Roper would hurry up and announce so we'd know more who all we need to replace.
invisiblekid writes:
This is about like a recruit giving a verbal commitment right now. I'll believe it when a contract has been signed. Either Brown or Marrone would be a great hire but I still believe they would have a tough time leaving the NFL where there are bound to be opportunities for advancement. Also have to look at the money end of things, if they bring Brown in close to what he is making in the NFL then there will likely be a domino effect because Chavis and company would expect a raise as well. Otherwise, they'll have an unhappy bunch on the defensive side of the ball. All depends on whether Thunder will let Little Mike pull the trigger on raises all around.
utwick writes:
IPOrange, brother Gerald started as a grad ast. at UT around '83. He has worked with receivers, QBs and special teams. Indiana averaged over 1500 yards rushing per year during his 7 years there. Indiana lead the nation in kickoff return average and held opponents to under 20 yards in return yardage. He was named Asst. HC this year. Both Browns would add a lot. Don't know about his recruiting and it's been a while since Kippy recruited also.
vol52 writes:
Sanders was a great position coach. I would welcome him any time in that role.
wyomingvol writes:
A special teams co-ordinator!!!!!!!
VolsorCat writes:
Randy would never come back as an assistant after being a coordinator. I think both Browns would be great additions. NFL experience, plus two black coaches to help relate to the young guys coming out of high school. While Cut is good, I really don't see him sealing the deal on anything, but a pro style QB. I think we need a combo QB back there as a threat to run and pass both. Go Vols and let's get them on board and make something out of the rest of this recruiting period. WR's and DT's are a must.
thesavageorange writes:
Kippy may be a good hire, however I will be very dissapointed if CPF hires someone after only 2 interviews , and we all know Spence wasn't a serious candidate.I am sure Kippy will tell Phil total offensive control or nothing.If not he would just stay in the NFL.If you're comin Kippy, then come on!
tntron writes:
Im glad that all of you negatives have coached in the NFL for 15 years. I think this is a terrific hire that will continue to lure top recruits because of his NFL connections. Im sure he has a few wrinkles that will be implemented into our system. Hell, he has been working with Mike Martz for the past two seasons.
Brdteton I guess you didn't see the dramatic improvement in a dismal Indiana program. I believe his brother and the rest of Indiana's staff must have done something right with a downright pathetic program.
thesavageorange writes:
IPOrange:I think Marrone was a serious candidate , but may have told CPF that there is not enough dough to come back.I think he is a straight NFL guy , and is happy there.
jeremy writes:
If they are in "negotiations" it sounds like he will be the man. Any special teams coach would be an improvement.
wyomingvol writes:
Yeah Kip, get us some more Tee Martins'. We need a guy that can run and gun.
Plus, Memphis roots can only help the Big O in that part of the state!
Kippy's Receivers: TD Woods, Alvin Harper, Tim McGhee, Carl Pickens, Anthony Morgan, Joey Kent, Marcus (portion) Nash, Vance Moore, Anthony Miller, etc...
This guy likes to put it up and see what happens!
thesavageorange writes:
sublime2j :Have to agree w/ that last statement.Indiana was Duke north.I like the fact that Gerald has a good rep for ST as well.I hope you didn't think I was saying Kippy was a bad hire.I think it would be a great hire, but still think you have to interview more than 2 to be positive.
wyomingvol writes:
Sublime,,,
Exclamation points (!!!!) mean excitement.....
Any special teams ace would be an improvement.
wyomingvol writes:
Go Vols, I hang up and listen to ya.....
budd#207344 writes:
Kippy would work and where else doe he have to go in the NFL. Never mentioned for head coaching positions so may as well get more visibility at UT. A special teams coach would be a plus.
Marrone doesn't call the shots in NO. That's Payton.
Also don't knock Sanders as QB coach. Look what he did with KY kid versus Roper who was his coach prior. Randy can coach QBs. Had Rick ready and it paid off.
wyomingvol writes:
Ricky Clausen, I think I might vomit....
texan writes:
Haven't heard anything from Chris Low yet. He has the best sources "close to the discussions", not KNS. I'll give it credence when WBIR reports it.
philfan writes:
I have been reading about Kippy Brown. It really would be more exciting to see more long passes and catches. The running game can get tiresome. If Fulmer hires Brown, then I would be happy and so, maybe, would others on this board who have been wishing for a radical change in direction. I hope this guy can beat Florida too. I am sick and tired of being referred to as Gator Bait at work every September.
Pullingguard writes:
If Fulmer thinks Kippy Brown is the man then he must be pretty sure for the end results will come to Phil Fulmer regardless. So lets wish them well.
And, as TS says that UT needs more color in the coaching ranks this will help that also and with recruiting possibly. All is well that ends well, let's just hope this turns out great if this happens to be the final decision.
andy112382#209793 writes:
Out of family. Within the family. Whatever, as long as we win, which we did when Kippy Brown was here before, so, heck, why not! None of us will know how this will work until they hit the field, so heres looking forward to next season! (as if I wasn't already!!!)
GO VOLS!!!
Pullingguard writes:
An after thought... If Brown gets the O/C job that means UT will have to hire a QB coach. A very important future hire.
texan writes:
brdteton, What is this about Memphis roots? Thought he was from Sweetwater? Guess one of us missed something.
IceVol writes:
Don't hate on Rick, He beat LSU that terrible terrible year...and TA&M in the Cotton Bowl.
lnbadger320 writes:
one question i have. if Fulmer tries to micromanage kippy, will kippy tell fulmer where to stick it or will kippy roll over like sanders and Cut????
texan writes:
I think the great thing about a guy like KB with 15 years in the NFL is that he will be less likely to be intimidated by SEC defenses. That kind of confidence, or lack of fear, should spread to the players. He has seen many more defensive schemes with talented athletes than most if not all of the OC's at the college level. Homer or not, he took 15 years to continue his education and at a graduate level.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Pullingguard - R Sanders come to mind?
houtxvol - Sweetwater is fairly close to Memphis if you have Leer.
brdteton- special teams coach - what a concept!
Peyton, Tee Martin, Different , but good. Tee wears the ring. I have a 24x36 framed picture of Tony Robinson, circa 1985 throwing against Auburn. Believe 38-20 win. Ol' Bruce Wilkerson and Jim Miller blocking. Ah, those days are gone. Poor ol Tony Robinson. Man.
texan writes:
lnbadger320
You have a point. Remember CPF was KB's OC wasn't he. But I bet he will man up to CPF now.
texan writes:
Pdhuff LOL..But you know when an NFL coach comes to a kid's dinner table he's going to eat.
twin942 writes:
What's the scoop on Gus Malzahn? Doesn't he have the #1 offense in the country at Tulsa? There was talk about him coming a couple of weeks ago...
texan writes:
12TIMES, Just called my sweet little ole mama in Knoxville to see if the trees in her yard were still blowing toward Alabama. I called my mother in law in Macon and asked the same. They both said yes. I then went outside in my yard in Houston and looked at my oaks. Guess which way the wind is sucking down here? Go back to the MOtel 6 with your wife..uh sister. BAMA will always suck to me..dear ole bama....
texan writes:
twin942,
Scoop on Malzahn
http://loserswithsocks.com/2006/11/07...
he should have waited on Petrino.
gohawks1 writes:
Oh, brother. Here's that pesky little fly 12TEETH again. Shoo fly, shoo.
twin942 writes:
12, as I said before, you are low class. You prove it every time you post on this site. Is it really your intent to prove to all of us how embarrassing you all are to college football? If so, you are doing a great job.
You have no reason to crow, despite the win against the Vols in Tuscaloosa. You were 6-6 and a very average team. And you made the SEC look bad with your loss to LA Monroe.
gohawks1 writes:
12TEETH said, "I just needed to point out the fact that everyone from tennessee is a loser."
Heh, heh. You said yourself that you are from TN. Man, that's hilarious! What an "idot".
utwick writes:
houtxvol, I think the Memphis reference was to Kippy's brother (Gerald) who played at Memphis
State.
Isn't it sad when a poster takes his name (12times) from the number of times that he's slept with his daughter? "Get off me, Daddy, you're crushing my cigarettes." Maybe he can find some viagra in Shreeveport and make it 13times, although 20 seconds hardly (excuse the pun) counts as a "time",
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