In his "Buc's Beat" blog for the St. Petersburg Times, sportwriter Rick Stroud quotes Bucs coach Jon Gruden as saying he isn't interested in leaving his job to come to UT:
Coach Jon Gruden made it clear he has no interest in the head coaching job at the University of Tennessee.
"I've said it from the beginning, this is the only job I've really ever wanted,'' Gruden said. "As long as the Glazers will have me, I'll be here. I've got a lot of respect for Tennessee. I grew up down there a little bit. My wife is from there. But this is where I want to be and I can only make myself that clear.''
Gruden would not entertain questions about whether he would ever have an interest in coaching college football.
"I don't even want to start that,'' Gruden said. "I've wanted to be in the NFL my whole life and this is something I'm really excited to do. This is where I want to be and I'll leave it at that.''
View the post at http://blogs.tampabay.com/bucs/2008/11/gruden-dismisse.html
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Comments » 206
SemperVol writes:
Nick Saban anybody?
98memories writes:
Ouch, another solid coach saying no!
TommyJack writes:
I hope that's true. But coaches at this level would rather lie than tell the truth.
thevoice writes:
Hopefully this article will shave off about 40% of the posts on here!!
VolStuckinOHIO writes:
Not a good day for Vol Nation =(
RichmondVol42 writes:
Butch, Leach or Kelly. One of these guys WILL be UT's next coach.
Let's get someone soon before we lose our entire recruiting class.
LostinNCVol writes:
Butch Davis will lead us back to where we belong!!!!
auttat writes:
NOOOO!! Shocking!!
Get your head out of your @$$ if you think Gruden is leaving his gig in the NFL and coming to Knoxville. I don't think Hamilton has even entertained this thought. It may be due diligence to ask, but I bet it was never even seriously contemplated.
SemperVol writes:
I'd like to clarify this post refers to Saban's quick dismissal of the Alabama job opening while he was with the Dolphins.
Just didn't want folks thinking I wanted Nick Saban on our sideline.
1volgal writes:
what about Cowher anybody! Could he be in consideration to be our new coach?
byobbio writes:
Read between the lines:
"I've said it from the beginning, this is the only job I've really ever wanted,''
IE: I AM NOT COMING TO TENNESSEE
Gruden said. "As long as the Glazers will have me, I'll be here. I've got a lot of respect for Tennessee.
IE: I AM NOT COMING TO TENNESSEE
I grew up down there a little bit. My wife is from there.
IE: I AM NOT COMING TO TENNESSEE
But this is where I want to be and I can only make myself that clear.''
IE: I AM NOT COMING TO TENNESSEE
BYOBBIO
AKVOL writes:
A portion of Brian Kelly's updated bio from Wikipedia. Note the last paragraph:
2006: Coach Kelly was named Cincinnati's head coach on December 3, 2006, following the departure of Mark Dantonio. Both Cincinnati and Central Michigan were preparing for bowl appearances so while Kelly was in Cincinnati preparing the Bearcats, much of his staff remained at Central Michigan to coach the Chippewas. Following Central Michigan's win in the Motor City Bowl most of his staff joined him in Cincinnati where they went on to coach Cincinnati to a victory over Western Michigan University in that year's International Bowl, 27-24. Kelly also lead Central Michigan to a win over Western Michigan during the 2006 regular season. This gave him the unique distinction of being the only NCAA coach to beat the same team twice in a season while coaching two different teams.
2007: In his first full season in 2007, Coach Kelly led Cincinnati to a competitive position in the Big East, the Bearcats second ever 10 win season (first since 1949) and a Top 25 ranking. On December 5, 2007, Kelly was named Big East Coach of the Year after leading his Bearcats to a 9-3 record. [1] Coach Kelly later led the Bearcats to a victory in the PapaJohns.com Bowl against Southern Miss.
A source within the UC athletic department has reported that Brian has had talks with the University of Tennessee, and that he has lobbied to be their next head coach.
auttat writes:
Not even close. Saban was always a college coach. He tried it in the NFL and failed. Gruden has always been a NFL coach. Plus he has been successful and his team is playing well this year. Stupid to think he is giving that up.
Saban was what? 2 for 30 when he said he was coming back. He was probably called into principals office and told that he might need to pursue other options after he said he was staying in Miami.
auttat writes:
Come on!! This was never really even an option. Please tell you didn't think that it was?
LebanonVol writes:
Gruden was in Knoxville last week - signed autographs even
For whatever that's worth..............you be the judge
vol2211insc writes:
Man I'm glad somebody realizes what you just said other than me...look Giles is gone and our recruits are falling by the wayside...I really think If they would push for Kelly or Leach they could probably get positive feedback quickly enough to save some of these recruits. I really like Kelly...some says he has baggage but he can really coach!
VolinBama writes:
Living in Birmingham during the last coaching search, rule #1 is until someone is standing at the podium with Hamilton next to him, everyone is still a candidate. This is despite what they say in public both informally and formally. I believe that Davis, Gruden, Leach, Kelly, et al, are still candidates. Unless you are a big pocketed bootser, you cannot see what is happening behind the scenes. These folks have yet to be approached "formally" so denial is easy, because it is true.!!!
SemperVol writes:
AKVOL,
He beat a good Rutgers and Oregon State team last year. If I'm not mistaken they knocked off South Florida (thankfully). Although they were the third team in three weeks to smite them. They dang near beat that West Virgina team, too.
He seems like a good fit. Granted those aren't amazing teams, he did it I'm sure with inferior talent.
thevoice writes:
Easy now folks. Whomever our next coach is will likely bring with him "his" recruits. Things should even out. Additionally, the recruits that we keep loosing were recruited by a coach who doesn't run the same system as the new coach. Things will work out.
JBruce writes:
This is the funniest thing I have read all day!
Cowher will be in Dallas next year racking in about $10 mill.
VolinBama writes:
Kelly is a great coach, I also lived in Cincinnati, he is reaping some of the benefits of the Donatelli (now at Mich State)recruiting, mostly defensively, but still a fact. Donatelli was a D.C. under "sweater vest" at Ohio state and took the Univ. Cinn job and really started the turn at Cincinnati before he left for Mich St. Kelly is probably fallback #1 choice if Davis, Gruden or Leach aren't a go (no order there)or tier 2 option #1.
CoverOrange writes:
Unfortunately, Cincinnati's season isn't over until December 6 (not including any bowl) so probably no announcement concerning Kelly until after that. Of course, same with Leach if TT plays in the B12CG.
Any word on Kiffen?
doegem writes:
All of these potential candidates who have stated they have no interest in coaching Tennessee could have been predicted. I'm sure it's the rumors that prompt them to speak out so their own fan base will not panic. HOWEVER, ater three or four of these no-interest proclamations it is starting to get a little awkward.
Reminds me a bit of when the prestigious SEC was looking for that 12th member and proposed to Florida State and Miami and ended up marrying South Carolina.
The situation shows you the sad state of Tennessee coaching for the last 17 years, despite the early success -- there are no protoges of Fulmer's running successful programs out there who are awaiting the call from Mama. We grasp at tenuous connections like graduate assistants or he-once-changed-planes-in-Knoxville, hoping that's enough to catch a top candidate.
beachvol writes:
Anyone living in Florida can tell you that despite geographical considerations Florida is indeed north of all southern states. Other than a small minority, most of our residents come from states north of the Mason-Dixon line. I recently moved from central Florida to north Florida, and the area I now live is MUCH more southern than previous.
As far as the timing of our new coach's announcement, recognize that most currently employed head coaches would not be willing to abandon their current position to be named the UT head coach right now. We will have to wait until their season plays out, whether that be early December, early January, or in the case of an NFL coach, even later. Only if we hire a coordinator or currently unemployed (yikes!) coach would he be named in the next 3 or 4 weeks. I'd like to know as much as the rest, but it's going to take some time. The recruits will definitely look around, but if we bring in a good coach I think we've got a good shot at bringing them back in the fold.
vol2211insc writes:
Yea Kelly is nice...probably behind leach/davis like you guys said...It's just a difficult situation...You gotta get a coach quickly and efficiently...
VolinBama writes:
Remember the search is approx. 1 week old today. Most of these coaches are coaching and have to make sure a "Wyoming" doesn't happen to them if they don't get offered the job. Deep breath everyone, won't see a coach until after Kentucky game, most likely SEC championship weekend. Most college regular seasons will be over by then, and an assitant can handle a bowl. If it starts running into late Dec, then Gruden is the guy.
cainclifton23 writes:
Why does everyone want brian kelly?
what has he accomplshed.
He plays in Ohio where there is only one other school to compete with recruting.
We need Butch Davis
Or lane kiffen.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
I agree, 23...not sure why so many want Brewster from Minnesota, either.
UT's best option is Butch Davis. He's put a lot of guys in the NFL and is a high-profile coach. He's 57, but he doesn't look that old, either.
jobrando#216494 writes:
The Hamilton letter to the alumni keeps coming back. As I can remember he said something like we will have an anouncement about a new coach in several weeks. That's like he already had hired someone.
VolinBama writes:
I believe that UT wants a splash with the naming of a head coach. So "VolBaseball" don't worry, they will try for Davis, Gruden, Leach (hot commodity), before Kiffen, Kelley and second tier coaches. Also, if it moves toward late Dec and Tex Tech is still in N.C. hunt than that should point to Leach as well as Gruden.
bammervol writes:
What's this love affair with Lane Kiffin? I'm not that up on him other than Al Davis fired him a few weeks back because he was losing. What has he ever done? I'm serious! I just don't know that much about him, but am seeing alot of posts on this board, that he should be our next HC.
stinky_pinky writes:
I hear everyone say B Kelly has baggage. What's the baggage???
soccervol writes:
If you have a job currently are you going to leak it out to your employer that you are looking...Same thing happened with Saban while at Miami - money talks and BS walks...
SmokeDog72 writes:
BigVolinCarolina,
"UT's best option is Butch Davis. He's put a lot of guys in the NFL and is a high-profile coach. He's 57, but he doesn't look that old, either."
I disagree. Davis has backtracked in terms of where he is today (UNC) versus where he has been (U of Miami or the NFL). In my opinion, we need a guy that is hungrier for bigger and better things. Brewster, Leach, and Kelly all fall into this category. But, Leach is the guy closest to our level. He is in a conference with some heavyweights, and unlike Kelly or Brewster, he has proven he can win lots of games over a reasonable amount of time.
Leach fits the bill. We MUST get him.
jobrando#216494 writes:
I suppose dual head coaches could be named so our feelings would not be hurt.
jimr07 writes:
their seasons are not over. no announcement will be made before that.
Huttdawg100 writes:
This hurts, but I think that the Tennessee job is one of the top in the country.... Whoever gets the job will have nothing but the best facilities, support, ect. My only hope is that we don't end up like Nebraska..... Now that Gruden has said no, I'm looking at Kiffin... Even though Al Davis intefered with the players and coaches, Kiffin made an extremely bad team look decent. Plus, he proved he could recruit coast to coast with some of his USC guys (Patrick Turner out of Nashville).
jmbigorange#280428 writes:
I love Kelly but...Who is Donatelli? I'm assuming you mean Dantonio!
jimr07 writes:
FDR was in Houston.
asleep#212036 writes:
First, signing day isn't until February, so no matter what a recruit says, whether they are definitely staying or are reopening their recruitment, it doesn't matter. If a Butch Davis, Mike Leach, or any other superstar took the job, those boys would be right back in the fold so fast it would make your head spin. In fact, either of those two might bring enough high-powered recruits with them, they wouldn't even need to take the quitters back.
Second, any employed coach "isn't interested" in UT at all. Mark it down. They all say that or they risk honking off their current employer with no guarantees of getting the UT job. Any coach's denial of interest at this point is predictable and completely insignificant. Wait until the regular season is over and the announcement will be made. Most likely the deal is already done, we just don't know who signed on.
Third, life-long successful NFL head coaches have no reason, professionally or financially, ever to coach in college - period. Neither Gruden nor Cowher, or any other successful pro guy is coming to UT. We couldn't afford them and even if we could, they don't need the headache when everything they want or need is in the NFL.
Lastly, I assume that Hamilton is trying to get a successful HC to sign on but he may not be able to. Even Alabama and Florida had to take chances on coordinators after their legends (Stallings and Spurrier) retired, getting Dubose and Zook - yikes! As much as we hate the truth, UT cannot just put the job out there and have every big name coach in the country lined up to take it. We MIGHT get Davis, or Kelly, or Leach, or Peterson but like Bruce Pearl, we might have to take a chance on a lesser name or coordinator. If we do, let's go with it and see what happens and try not to make too big of a deal if we don't get our "dream coach". Go (2009) Vols!!!
gslaton#227127 writes:
I don't see Hamilton naming a new coach until after Kentucky game. As to recruits, they are just keeping their options open. They want to be sure they have a good school lined up in case they don't like UT's coach selection. It would be a problem for Leach if T/T goes to NC game. Waiting until January to name a new coach definitely could hurt us with recruits.
blitzshoot writes:
No one will say a great deal until December. By then, I am sure the search firm and Hamilton will have the deal done.
carolina_vols writes:
I agree 100%. He makes about $5m. Sure he is going to step-down to the college level and and make half. Give me a break, I am tired of all the Gruden talk.
Davis is the guy. He has not denied interest or contact from UT or UT reps.
SemperVol writes:
I was really referring to last year's 11-2 WVU team. That's funny though, because I thought they WVU had beaten them on Saturday also...overtime. My bad.
I don't know alot about Kelly other than the Wikipedia stuff. What sort of baggage is this that everyone has been ranting about?
asif (Inactive) writes:
One Name - Skip Holtz
JBruce writes:
I would be absolutely stunned if there is any announcement before December, unless they go with Kiffin. If they decide to go with Kiffin, I expect the announcement will come fairly quickly. Otherwise, get ready for the long hall.
jsm67vol writes:
Kiffen was OC at USC when they won their 2 NCs I think. Pretty sure he has never been HC at major program. Some say he is a good recruiter but at USC how much do you have to recruit. It seems most of the 4-5 star players want to play for them. I wish he would drop from the list. He seems the least desirable of the list IMO
carolina_vols writes:
Davis is tired of sniffing Roy Williams pitts. Go to any Carolina news paper or website, its all hoops. The fotball team is 7-2 but the headlines are about the Heels beating UNC Pembroke in a exhibition game.
The football game Saturday was between two top 25 teams and the attendance was 66,000 (probably a record).
Wait until basketball really starts and the 10-2 football team will be back page news. I live an hour from campus, nobody here cares about football!
volguy41nlouisiana writes:
Its not all that brother. This is Tennessee. You have to beat Florida, Georgia, Bama, every year. Thats a HUGEW undertaking. As ive said before, it will take a coach with some big uns to accept this job. SEC, Tennessee, the opponents, the fan base. Whewwww...gotta be much man to run this show
Homer writes:
He was the OC at USC, 2 Rose Bowls, 2 Orange Bowls. Recruited Sanchez and the 5 star reciever from Nashville.
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