Hamilton says search could end 'sometime early to mid-December'

In some rare public comments concerning Tennessee’s search for a new football coach, UT athletic director Mike Hamilton said the search process should conclude within a month.

“I think it’s reasonable to expect that sometime early to mid-December,” Hamilton said when asked about his timeline on WNOX’s Hallerin Hilton Hill radio show on Wednesday morning. “But I don’t want to put a date on it because as surely as you put a date on it, then if you don’t have a contract nailed down by that point then people assume you’re not getting your guy.”

Hamilton is searching for a replacement for Phillip Fulmer, who was asked on Nov. 3 to step down at the conclusion of the season. The Viols (3-7, 1-5) play at Vanderbilt on Saturday and finish the season a week later at home against Kentucky.

Hamilton said he wants current players and prospects to know who will be Tennessee’s next coach as soon as possible.

“I want them to know in relative short order what their new direction will be and who their new leader will be,” Hamilton said. “Also we’ve got these commitments out there, and they need to know who their leader is going to be.”

Hamilton said he is pleased the progress of the search.

“We’ve been interviewing folks here over the last week or so and got a few more to go,” he said. “Just based upon the interest level and the conversations that we’re having, I feel good about the process and the direction.”

Hamilton said UT’s next football coach’s pay would depend on his experience level, background and the coaches he might bring with him.

“We’ll be market competitive, though,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton was asked if UT would need to pay $4 million a year to secure a top-name coach.

“There’s only one guy making that kind of money,” Hamilton said, alluding to Alabama’s Nick Saban. “I don’t think you have to pay that kind of money necessarily.”

Hamilton declined comment on the specific criteria he’s looking for in a coach.

“We’ve done a pretty good job of protecting the individuals involved in the process right now,” Hamilton said. “That’s a key part of them wanting to remain in the process, is the confidentiality of the process. My agreement with all those guys is that we’ll keep it on the low down.”

Just because more names haven’t leaked out doesn’t mean the process has stalled.

“We’ve had tremendous interest from a number of great coaches around the country,” Hamilton said. “I feel very good about over the next few weeks bringing someone to the table that everyone can be excited about.”

Hamilton said negotiations are ongoing with Fulmer, who is to be paid $6 million over at least four years. That payout could be affected by Fulmer’s decision on whether he’ll remain with UT in an administrative capacity.

“We hope he’s around UT,” Hamilton said.

Hamilton also addressed whatever short-term advantages may be gained by hiring a coach that has strong fan support.

“We’re trying to win the Southeastern Conference, not the press conference,” Hamilton said. “We hope that we win the press conference too.

“But the main thing is how is this coach going to be judged (in the coming years). He’s going to be judged by wins and losses. So we’ve got to have a guy that’s going to win in the end.

“That’s the thing.”

Drew Edwards contributed to this report.

© 2008, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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