Former Syracuse offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Mitch Browning is set to become a graduate assistant coach at Tennessee as early as next week, a source said Tuesday.
Browning, who was a part-time coach at North Carolina State from 1980-81 when UT defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin was head coach there, must be accepted into a graduate program before he can officially begin work as a graduate assistant with the Vols.
NCAA rules prohibit a school from having more than nine assistant coaches, and graduate assistants are not allowed to contact or evaluate recruits off campus. A graduate assistant can contact prospects by phone, as long as he has passed the NCAA’s certification test for recruiters.
Browning would still be paid by Syracuse, where he signed a multi-year deal, according to Tom Dienhart of Rivals.com, which reported Tuesday that Browning was considering a move to Tennessee.
Under NCAA rules, graduate assistants are not allowed to receive outside compensation beyond a full year’s grant-in-aid, four tickets to football and basketball games and any employee benefits offered by the school.
Browning spent last season with the Orange, after working with former Minnesota head coach Glen Mason for most of his career.
He did not coach during the 2007 season after Mason, now an analyst for the Big Ten Network, was fired.
Browning spent seven of his 10 seasons at Minnesota as the Gophers offensive coordinator.
At Syracuse, he worked primarily with guards and centers in addition to his role as offensive coordinator.
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Comments » 136
BornaVolDieaVol writes:
how old is this dude???
FWBVol writes:
This is the first time I've ever heard of anything like this, a guy going from a full-time assistant to a GA while still drawing full pay from his previous employer. But hey, if we can get a "free coach" I'm all for it.
BornaVolDieaVol writes:
But I must say this staff keeps getting stronger when I think there's no possible way of making it better!!!
hotrodvol writes:
Hmm, I always assumed a GA was a young guy on his way into coaching. But this looks like the reverse, oh well looks like another good addition.
tnbigg writes:
You got that right...the strangest I've ever heard too...but certainly he will be a "freebie" worth having!
VolunteerMan writes:
GA's are not allowed to recieve outside compensation or outside compensation related to the program with which he is working with?
Can he accept the Syracuse buyout and work as a GA or does he have to forego that compensation?
VolunteerMan writes:
with which he is working. I don't want to get killed by the grammer police.
orangevolunteer writes:
THIS REALLY OUGHT TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT IS GOING ON AT THE REAL UT.A FORMER COORDINATOR IS WILLING TO COME HERE AND BE A GA JUST FOR THE CHANCE TO BE APART OF THIS.SIGNING DAY IS GOING TO BE HUGE,I PREDICT TOP 5.........
reasonablevol writes:
He can't have outside compensation from UT (e.g. donors) which is how Fulmer would have been paid to work under UT president Peterson.
cincivol writes:
Hey isnt this the same Mitch Browning my boy Fulmer was considering as the OC last year. I loved me some Fat Phil but its a hole new ballgame with the recruits that are just visiting and now a coach that was considered for the OC is a GA. DAAAANNNNNGGGG!!!
RoadTrip writes:
Do you suppose MH may have had an inkling that CLK might be able pull all of this off when he signed him? The coaching fraternity is tight and some of the best are coming to K-town. This may be bigger than we all realize. We are just beginning to see what he is capable of achieving.
Ain't it great to be a Tennessee Vol!
volroadwarrior writes:
First we get creative around the nepotism rule by having Monte report to the Janitor instead of to his son. Then we get this seasoned coach come in as a GA paid by Syracuse. Talk about creativity!!!! I hope our staff is as creative with game plans, play calling, recruiting and developing talent. If they are---watch out.
TommyJack writes:
Actually, this is quite remarkable.
FullofMonte writes:
The rest of the GAs are rumored to be:
Tony Dungy
Marty Schottenheimer
Mike Holmgren
khelton657 writes:
This is getting awfully interesting..
HallowedHill writes:
Am I reading this wrong, or is this a 50 year old, former Division 1, OC willing to work at Tennessee for FREE?! If so, I salute your dedication, sir. Good luck and hopefully, welcome aboard!
SignalMtnVol writes:
Agreed. Seems kind of odd. But since he has the connection to Monte, and still being paid by Syracuse, I guess a man could take a year off from being OC until he finds a suitable job.
blitzshoot writes:
Just another train of thought. Some of these coaches are going to be sought after and similar to a player back-up, I'm sure some of these coaches are looking to move into the prime coaching positions at UT when some of the big names move on.
agarn writes:
You forgot Mike Shanahan
GerryOP writes:
Wow! How many tricks does this dude have in his bag? Surely our resident natering nabobs of negativity can find something wrong with this deal? Maybe not!
GerryOP writes:
TJ, don't overexuberate! {;>)
govols22231 writes:
shut up, or are you being serious
bobbarbilly writes:
This looks to be a coach-on-the-shelf to fill any future full time openings.
Louisvol8859 writes:
I just laughed when I read about this on Volquest earlier today. I mean it just makes me happy to see the national interest in our program returning. This is just unheard of.
BSweet writes:
If this works out, it would be ridiculously awesome. When Kiffin was hired, I hoped for big things, but secretly set myself up for the disappointment I've come to expect under the former regime. Kiffin has totally blown me away with the staff he has hired and the kids that he's gotten to at least take a look at UT. I am eagerly awaiting how this translates to the playing field, but I'm really and truly optimistic for the future of Vol football and I can't wait to see CLK's next surprise for us.
Louisvol8859 writes:
By the way he coached OL at the cuse and their O-line went from worst in the Big East to fourth in one year. Even though the team stunk.
Bass_Vol_1998 writes:
This is wild.
I feel that our staff keeps bringing in the best. People (like coach O) want to learn from Monte. It keeps snowballing and now we have OC's taking GA positions just to be around these guys. Incredible.
I knew Monte was good- but dang
Jamey1210 writes:
I am setting here laughing my a** off. I am sorry. This is the most classic hire I have ever heard of. All right CLK if you can pull this Sh** off.........well your one he** of a recruiter. The most classic move I have ever seen in CF. Let the his last employer pay him and bring him on in for free. Like I said classic.
philfan writes:
Tennessee has not played one single game yet you insist that this is the best group of coaches on Earth! This is not a forum for the Tennessee Cheerleaders. If this is what you want, Google Tennessee Cheerleaders, and cheer with the rest of the girls with the orange and white pom poms. Mark my word: Kiffin will fall flat on his face and make Tennessee look foolish. The Florida game will prove my point.
philfan writes:
Well said.
ArealVolFan writes:
If you don't believe this is a good thing for Tennessee you are a fool. Please, go root for another school. You are not a real Vol fan if you root for us to fail. Kiffin has put together a great staff and there is no two ways to argue that.
Louisvol8859 writes:
Here is a story similar to Browning for Philfan. Phil Fulmer to live off buyout and work at Krispy Kreme as a GA. He gets all the free donuts he wants, and four passes to tour the home office.
Louisvol8859 writes:
I am just sick of this. I supported Fulmer for 16 out of 27 years of my life, and respect what he meant to UT. However, he is gone, and I now support Kiffin. This is because I am a UT fan. Follow the school, not a player or a coach.
ArealVolFan writes:
I agree. No one player, Coach, announcer, or AD is bigger than the program. Not Manning, Fulmer, Neyland,Ward, or Hamilton. I means more to be a Vol than anything else. We don't need fans that don't understand that. The future of the Vols is Kiffin and his staff and players. Support them and the program or go root for another school. Go Vols.
theoldbear writes:
Like Monte, he must like Orange. This staff continues to accumulate losers, rejects, reprobates. Too many chiefs, not enough indians.
I love the Vols, but some folks are living in a dream world.
txvolsfan writes:
Please wake me up before the Orange-White game because I can't wait for football season!!!
GO VOLS!!!
shaggymoe writes:
At first I wasn't sure about Kiffin ,and no we haven't played a game yet ,but he truly has assembled a great staff. On top of that he has already thrown the gauntlet down to Spurrier and Saban.I like it when our head coach has a little swagger .That is something that we've never had before , AND I LIKE IT ,I LIKE IT ALOT.
As for the sad pathetic fans that can't MOVE ON FROM PHIL , Last years' Florida , Alabama, South Carolina,Wyoming games told me that our coaching staff SUCKED!!!!!!!!!!!!
FWBVol writes:
I supported Phillip Fulmer until the very end, and thought he should have been given one more year, but that's water under the bridge now.
Lane Kiffin is the head football coach at the University of Tennessee, which makes him my alma mater's head coach. To trash Kiffin before he has coached a game is to trash the head coach at my school. If you don't support Lane Kiffin, you don't support the Tennessee Volunteers. You can't support Kiffin and not the Vol football team. And you can't support the football team and not support Kiffin.
murrayvol writes:
Certainly not what we've grown accustomed to. I'll betcha the phones are jingling at NCAA HQ.
shaggymoe writes:
Wtf !!!!! Are you High Right Now ???? Please , put it down and go to bed you are not making any sense. Would you like for us to call phil back and give him another contract extension .
Go back to your den and hibernate. Phil had his chance , now give these guys their chance.
murrayvol writes:
It's not a bad feeling. Try it sometime.
allntl1#565211 writes:
Syracuse stinks. Why take their stinky coaches?
sadsack81 writes:
Doesn't every BSC team have a 55 year old graduate assistant!
Great move
ArealVolFan writes:
You truly don't understand anything about football.
gnm53108 writes:
I too supported Phil and also thought we should have given him one more try at hiring a good offensive coord. and staff.
Now we have the Kiffinator.I like this professional aproach.He is going after quality coaches with alot of experence.Putting together a eye-opening staff and generating alot of excitement,from me included.
Just have one concern,no Tennessee ties.I wish we could have had atleast one Tennessee guy.Just a little sad.
Winnin cures most ills.
Beatin bama cures all.
senracjr writes:
ok ok who pulled the Fulmerites out of the woodwork?
Jamey1210 writes:
This is funny to watch everyone aswell. This is freaking awsome! Someone said that we should not take a crusted syracuse coach. HE WAS THE OC for a BIG TEN SCHOOL AND HE IS GOING TO BE A GA at tennessee as in FREE. This is the thing that will bring us to the level of USC. By the way guys. We have never been at that level. I don't care how old you are you don't remember UT being a decade of Dominance. Put it this way....were you a little optimistic when Obama spoke today? well I was and I did not vote for him. Same goes with me thinking Fulmer deserved anohter year. Now I am glad he is gone. Just like I am glad and excited to see what Obama can do for our great nation.
Jamey1210 writes:
before anyone says anything about my grammer....... I don't care! Remember I am UT fan..........Have fun oh yeah and go vols! great win tonight glad to see us play some great D
cincivol writes:
He is coming as a friggin GA!!! I guess you dont get that part. You and all the faint fans living in the past.....
Ironcity writes:
I wonder what his major will be? Will he have to take an admissions test or will they revert back to his grades from the 70's? If he flunks out after the fall quarter, can he still coach in the bowl game?
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