Despite an adamant denial that he is interested in being Tennessee’s next football coach, North Carolina’s Butch Davis is still being considered a candidate.
While it is unknown if Davis will eventually accept the job if offered, his public statements on Wednesday during the weekly ACC teleconference aren’t likely the final word.
“I have absolutely no interest whatsoever in the University of Tennessee job,” Davis said. “It’s a great job but I have no interest in it.
“As I’ve said for the last couple of weeks, I love being here. My family loves being at Carolina. We’re building and with the administration we’re doing everything we can every single day to build a championship football program here.”
Davis said his agent, Jimmy Sexton, had not fielded any inquires from Tennessee officials about possible interest in the UT job.
It’s worth noting that another Sexton client, Nick Saban, famously said and repeated, “I’m not going to be the Alabama coach,” before leaving the Miami Dolphins shortly thereafter and then becoming the head football coach at Alabama.
A source with knowledge of the hiring process said Davis is ‘still in the picture.’
The News Sentinel has reported Davis is UT’s preferred candidate to replace coach Phillip Fulmer, who will step down at the end of the season.
Davis’ team could surely live without such distractions. The Tar Heels are 7-2 heading into Saturday’s game at Maryland. North Carolina leads the Coastal Division with a 3-2 ACC record.
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 246
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
I'd rather have the dude from texas tech. what an offense!!
ATLVOL1 writes:
i would cap it a $5 mil 4 5 seasons...
ATLVOL1 writes:
we have to "buy" someone or we look wetoddit to settle after firing a "legend".
TrueVolFan writes:
Just because "The News Sentinel" is reporting him as the leading candidate doesn't mean he is. You guys didn't even know Fulmer was fired until you saw it on ESPN, so excuse me if I fail to believe you have ANY inside source what so ever! I think it's just another way news writers hound people that are presently employed and try to get them to deny interest in vacant jobs. Who in their right mind, while sitting in a newsconference with their current employers team logo plastered behind them, would say "Yea, that Tennessee job would be awesome, where do I interview?" Just leave people alone and let the administration do their job!
ATLVOL1 writes:
davis $5mil 5 yrs
leach/chavis dc $4.5 mil 4 yrs
muschcamp $2 mil 4 yrs
kiffen $2 mil 4 yrs
kelly $2mil4 yrs
insert dantonio 2nd $ 3 mil 4 yrs
thats my board anyway...
posivol writes:
hamilton messed this up from the get go.could and should have locked up this top 5 class.brought in a new oc for the sake of change and then pulled the trigger next year with the cupboard full!
to much at stake to do this without a lock ready to step in.
ATLVOL1 writes:
well its all educated/subjective banter with davis until he is eliminated from a bcs bowl bid... he would then be able to "morally" speak the truth and not a political statement to keep his current team and situation in a positive direction.
asleep#212036 writes:
It also wouldn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Butch Davis would be a candidate for any high-profile job, especially in the SEC. Plus, in Butch's defense, if he wants the job, he can't say so. If he says nothing, rumors run rampant. If he says he doesn't want the job, no matter how emphatic, it does nothing to dispel the talk. You are right - everyone should just sit tight and let Hamilton work. Go (2009) Vols!!!
OrangeMandM writes:
Vince Gill for 09! I mean Mike Leach!!
snowvol writes:
All of this speculation is about as ridiculous as the fans who live and die over which way a 17 or 18-year-old kid is leaning regarding his recruitment.
I cannot wait until Fulmer's successor is named........but I most certainly can wait to hear it announced. I don't think Butch Davis is the right choice for UT but if it ends up being him, I'll get behind him. And if it's someone else like a Mike Leach, great. But all of this garbage from Hooker and everyone else in the Knoxville media about who said what, who's on a plane to this location or that one....man, give it all a rest.
All of these good "inside sources" - if you've ever been inside an athletic department at a major university, you darn well know they run the public relations end-around when they need to. Smokescreens are as common as snow in the Rockies.
It would not surprise me in the least if Mike Hamilton and his team were looking in a completely different direction but had the right "inside sources" tell guys like Hooker just enough to get him to write it and print it knowing full-well fans are like sheep when it comes to believing pretty much anything thrown their way.
asleep#212036 writes:
ESPN is reporting that Lane Kiffin has officially interviewed for the Clemson job. That would tend to make me think that Hamilton did not have him as high on the list as some of us might have thought. If Lane thought he had the UT job locked up, I don't think he would go to the trouble to interview for a lesser job in a weaker conference for (probably) less money nor would he want to honk off Mr. Hamilton in the course of contract negotiations. Of course, he could just be trying to create some interest on our part so he could move up the list - nobody wants to be the last resort - see Ron Zook/Mike Shula. Go (2009) Vols!!!
paulvol writes:
We don't need a Butch Davis or anyone who isn't 100% sure they want the job anyway. Go after Mike Leach or Chris Peterson. They are both much better than Davis for what UT realy needs.
weisgarber2003#313889 writes:
ATLVOL1 writes:
we have to "buy" someone or we look wetoddit to settle after firing a "legend".
It is highly debatable that Fulmer is a legend. Many would strongly disagree with that characterization. Neyland is a legend.
SmokeDog72 writes:
No Davis needed.
Mike Leach is da man.
asleep#212036 writes:
No way, no how - you have got to be yankin' our chains. In his best years, Fulmer was barely in the top half of the SEC in salary. I don't see us upping the ante like that no matter who would agree to come. I can see them offering to double Davis' salary (to $3.5 million) but I doubt anybody else we are seriously looking at could demand that kind of jack. Go Vols!!!
asleep#212036 writes:
Most of the talking heads (ESPN, Sports Illustrated, etc...) are talking up Peterson more and more. They are also high on Kelly. Most of them think that Davis or Leach could work but have downsides (Davis' age and Leach's personality quirks). The more I read about the first two, the more I think either of them could win here and win big.
thesavageorange writes:
You are going to be surprised.
"Better look out behind you, there's a beeees nesst!"
thesavageorange writes:
You guys are funny though!
BillsBrother writes:
I would be fine with most selections, but I am spooked by the prospect of Petersen.
See the performance of Dan Hawkins at Boise State and his performance at Colorado. Would Petersen be a repeat?
utchris writes:
A interesting side note....coming from a few people that make those high dollar donations....word is that Hamilton gave Fulmer an opportunity to keep his job by chopping Clawson around about the time of the Georgia game...Fulmer said he could not do it to the guy, and ultimately, Fulmer got chopped. It did not come straight from the horses mouth, but these people are usually spot on with their info.
ATLVOL1 writes:
"legend" is a characterization.. he will be in 20 years.... please dont bring triple option to sec it will get blown up.
BillsBrother writes:
The comments are certainly entertaining, but certainly the headlines have to have some humor as well...
Aren't you chuckling?
asleep#212036 writes:
The talking heads say Peterson is the reason Hawkins was successful at Boise St., sort of the power behind the throne. They use the current records of the two coaches as proof. I don't know how scientific that is but it could very well be true (see Fulmer/Cutcliffe). The main thing I have heard is that he is a strict disciplinarian, the one thing our Vols need more than even new X's and O's.
Grim1 writes:
DAVIS IS TOO OLD!!!!!
we need new/young blood on the hill.
GrandNorthFace48 writes:
Former Oakland Raiders coach Lane Kiffin interviewed with Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips last week for the Tigers' head coaching job, multiple sources told ESPN.com. Kiffin is at least the second known candidate to have interviewed for the Tigers position. Several reports had Oklahoma defensive coordinator Brent Venables meeting with Phillips last Tuesday in Oklahoma City. Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and Vanderbilt coach Bobby Johnson are two other names that have been mentioned.
As for UT, Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse are highly favored. No one else wants the job, because UT fans do not understand the football program at UT is a cartoon, always has been, always will be. A few good seasons, one fluke NC and the rest is a joke, just like the rest of the SEC, with the exception of THE GATORS!!!!
JOEY1268 writes:
1.Davis= great recruiter, great defense, runs pro style offense that we already have personel for.
2. Kelly= young, good defense, runs a pro style/spread offense, but would need to hire a great recruiter along with him
3. Leach= young, would have no problem recruiting, would have to hire a great defensive coordinator along with him, would take 2-3 years to recruit the right fit for his offense
4. Peterson= young, innovative offense, decent defense, only Bosie St. as HC experiance, would need to hire a great recruiter along with him.
5. Kiffin= young, runs pro style offense, great recruiter, should have a good defense by hiring someone with knowlege of his fathers defense or USC'.
Basically it just depends on how quick of a turnaround that we want. Davis would be the quickest, while Leach would probably take the longest because of his offense. Either way we go it will not happen overnight going to take at least two years.
TommyJack writes:
Beeees nessst?? Paul Johnson? Bring it on.
txsvol#372416 writes:
GrandNorthFace48 scooped my post about Brent Venables, a 10 year assistant under Bob Stoops, and a highly qualified coach who, like Will Muschamp, is ready for a promotion to head coach. I'd rather have either one of these guys than a new coach within a year of CPF's age. I've read about Charlie Strong, the Florida defensive coordinator, and I like him to be in the mix as well. But, the more I think about our situation, the more I like the idea of Mike Leach, who makes stars out of his QBs and receivers, with his 'point-a-minute' offense. He can still recruit defensive players, but I think our chances of winning in the SEC are improved with 30+ points/game and an average defense, rather than what we've had with the pro set we've featured recently. Go Vols! SAVol
Volomatic writes:
The more KNS keeps releasing articles about hte man the more he's going to see the kind of DUMB A $ $E$ we have around here and its going to keep him away. Unless we throw 5 mil to him but is he really worth when we could get leach or muschamp for about 2 - 2 1/2 mil
snafu14u#241639 writes:
Pedersen is the one responsible for the success of those coaches @ Boise State. He's the hub of the wheel. The more I research, the more I feel right about this guy. bonzaivol
whocares writes:
Davis- Has to keep mum out of respect for his current job. IF we nab him great, if not... OH Well.....
Kiffin- I'd lay this to rest, and point being, if he has success at UT or any program he's high tailing it back to the NFL. He has already shown he wants to be in the big show and he wants to stay there.
Leach- The Master Magician can practice his tricks at UT and would love to see him buy a house on the TN river and sleep in his PIRATE Ship. Still, boosters might not cuddle nicely to him.
Petersen- SOLID hire. But then again I wish I had more to work with from his production with his own recruits. Another head scratcher would be his recruiting skills in our region and nationally.
Kelly- The jury is still out on this one. Lotta pluses... but it's the minuses that worry me. Would be a good solid hire all the way around but I haven't completely read the book on him.
Bee's Nest- The resident expert mentioned this phrase and a lackey who had to go change his pants after reading this brought up another viable option..To be exact..the triple option flexbone... UF runs a variant with their spread veer. and the proponent of this scheme is Paul Johnson. The option is hard to defend but like the spread you have to have the athletes to run this. Boyd might be able to pull it off, but with our line from this season it would be a stretch.
Can it work? Sure... might take longer to recruit to than say a SIMPLE spread, which Leach runs.... simple as in the number of plays are not as many but he runs different formations on the same plays, giving it a multiple look. One of the things that makes Leach's offensive work is the progression of the QB and the WR's working back to the QB when coverage is tight and the QB is chased out of pocket. The ball is in the play makers hands.
The blocking schemes with the option are far more complex than with the spread and as I said with our already apparent troubles with our OL and QB play... not sure it would be a hit until he recruited for at least 2-3 years. But it would sure cause headaches in the long run. Not sure how patient our fans would be with either Leach or Paul but both would be great hires. And as the lackey said.. bring 'em on.
Bottom line is there is no quick fix to our problems and whoever gets the nod will have his hands full. And dealing with our fan base, I'm sure the armchairs will be on his back every step of the way.
nicksjuzunk#646117 writes:
nicksjuzunk $89.16 4 yrs.
I shall require a daily deposit of BBQ and sweet tea at each practice however.
whocares writes:
Smart money would say if we get Leach you're looking at or around 3.5.which might be a steal... but who knows.
1 Bob Stoops Oklahoma $6,500,000
2 Charlie Weis Notre Dame $4,200,000
3 Pete Carroll USC $4,000,000
4 Les Miles LSU $3,751,000
5 Nick Saban Alabama $3,750,000
6 Jim Tressel Ohio State $3,500,000
7 Urban Meyer Florida $3,400,000
8 Kirk Ferentz Iowa $3,030,000
9 Mack Brown Texas $2,910,000
10 Bobby Petrino Arkansas $2,850,000
Mike is already making 1.75 which is rumored to go up to 2.5 after seasons end with no telling what incentives attached.. so yeah... 3.5 might get the job done.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
good luck you fool, you'll get no one worth watching. No one who loves Tennessee more then Fulmer, you were just a bored and a boring fan. You did not love Tennessee football, just yourself. Well, if mr. Smartsville, Mike Hamilton , had a coach in mind and on board well that's one thing. But fireing a coach in the middle of the season with no one ready to take the reins. What a foolish move. Thanks for nothing, guys. thanks for nothing. You'v e still got John Adams, and your hatred for Fulmer left. Maybe that's all you wanted anyway. OH, I forgot your Bush derangement syndrome also. You people are mad! and chickens and cowards also. have a great day. Enbtertianing yourselves with who will do this and who will do that, and what coach will we get. Fools, fools. fools!! Go investigate the Bush administration for something to do. Remember Nero fiddled while Rome burned.
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
rusty_shackleford writes:
I'm more interested in what Chris Low at ESPN says about this. He scooped tuscaloosa john on the resignation story even though tj had one school to keep an eye on while Low has 12. Must be tough to be someone's bee-atch, huh john?
txvolsfan writes:
I would not offer anyone outside of Nick Saban or Urban Meyer 5M a year. Gruden, maybe but he has very little college experience to throw those kind of dollars at him.
khelton657 writes:
No man, It's true..but the coach is Bil Parcells..I heard it on talk radio
volunteer_cowboy writes:
4 mil to davis and get show on the road!!!
BigOrangeHustler writes:
Alright, first off- I don't see why all of you are on Mike Leach's nuts; he's had one good season act like he's the greatest coach alive. The Big 12 has no defense; one could take a high school offense over there and rack up the yards. Plus,the Harrel + Crabtree combonation is a once in alifetime thing for Texas Tech. And second off- Chris Peterson from Boise St. is a scientologist so believe me, that would never work out in the South, nevertheless, Tennessee.
Just thought I'd put my two cents in.
Take if for what it's worth.
OldSkool writes:
Butch Davis lied before, he'll do it again...
From the NYTimes
Asked about the Browns job after the Hurricanes completed the season with an 11-1 record, the No. 2 ranking and a victory over Florida in the Sugar Bowl, Davis said, ''I have no desire whatsoever for the Browns to contact me.''
mpm80#1357758 writes:
some people really need to get over fulmer stop cryin like rats eatin onions its over - done - move on - an as far as fulmer being a legend - at what wasteing talent ?
zqvol writes:
I just don't see a guy who is winning at the top of a BCS conference making the lateral move to Tennessee. We all think that there is no better job in the world but for most of these guys money is not an issue, and they are on the top of the heap in their current jobs. Sure, they have egos, but no one seems to admit that someone could be happy doing what they are doing.
In my opinion the next coach is going to come from a non BSC conference or a DII school. If they are charismatic, and can recruit at that level they will do fine in Knoxville, but the fans are going to have to be patient. We saw with Clawson that a scheme change takes time. The talent is here, but offensively they have got to learn the third or fourth system in three or four years and it is going to be a slow process.
shipperman#280095 writes:
Ok guys, Hamilton will name the coach when it is time. then we will know. But I bet that it will not be Leach,as it should not be. his record against winning teams is atrocious
shipperman#280095 writes:
Take your meds, idiot. If I performed at my job like Fulmer had, i would have been fired 3 or 4 times
OldSkool writes:
More quotes from Butch Davis
This from SI
Davis had brought the team together in a New Orleans hotel and assured the players that he was staying. "If I leave now, that makes me a deadbeat dad, because this is my family," he told them. "I want to finish my career right here at Miami." A few days after Miami's 37-20 victory completed an 11-1 season and cemented a No. 2 national ranking, he told them, "We're going to work our asses off in the off-season, harder than we've worked before. This is going to be an incredible season. We're going to win the national championship.
Three days before the Sugar Bowl, at a time when three NFL teams were searching for a coach and four more would follow suit, he responded to a rumor that he was soon to visit with Browns management by saying, "Don't they have a coach? I'm happy in South Florida. My family loves it there. I plan to coach at Miami for a long time."
chestnutglade writes:
Most of would get fired if we didn't get the job done.I hope he gets the Clemson job.Maybe he will be the big dog in the ACC.He can't be the big dog in the SEC .We need to play to win not play not play not to lose.Give me 6.5 million and I will quit my job. He has been paid pretty well over the years. I hope he can make it.Some time before Tn starts winning again I hope you chill out a little.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Anyone who can get us off the snide of the 3-9 years.
How long has it been since we were in the top 10 for 2 straight weeks?
I think Hector was still a pup.
jimr07 writes:
You guys that want Mike Leach amaze me. He has had one great year out of nine and you think he is the second coming. he has NEVER beaten both Texas and Oklahoma in the same year. I personally do not think he is a fit.
dirtdobber1 writes:
Based on whats happened in the past few weeks the following candidates should be given first consideration:
1. Charlie Strong
2. Joker Phillips
3. Trooper Taylor
4. Ty Willingham
5. Dennis Green
This is the only fair thing to do. WE NEED CHANGE.
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