Mike Hamilton worked behind a smokescreen.
But when the Tennessee athletic director started wrapping up his coaching search, at least a few of his tracks were easy to read.
Hamilton may or may not have officially offered contracts to Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, Air Force coach Troy Calhoun or TCU's Gary Patterson during his roughly 48-hour odyssey since losing Lane Kiffin. But each of them went out of their way to shoot down any interest in replacing him before the Vols found somebody who didn't put out a statement confirming they were staying put on Thursday - leading candidate David Cutcliffe of Duke.
"David's a great friend and he's been at Tennessee a long time before," former Vols coach Phillip Fulmer told the News Sentinel. "He knows the culture and knows the people. I think it would be special to have him back in Knoxville.
"I'll endorse that kind of person."
The Vols actually didn't have to wait all that long for somebody to return the favor and endorse the program, but they did have to wade through a few top candidates in the process. Hamilton never addressed any of them specifically and hasn't offered any public comments yet, but the targets he apparently spoke with helped make UT's interest clear.
Muschamp got the ball rolling late on Wednesday, electing to stick with the Longhorns and releasing a statement through a school spokesperson.
"I'm happy to be at Texas and plan to be here a long time," he said.
Patterson followed with a nearly identical sentiment, which put the spotlight squarely on Calhoun midway through the day.
The intensity only increased when reports of a team meeting at the Academy leaked out, prompting yet another denial of interest.
"We are more than grateful and proud to be closely involved with the character building of our cadets and the mission of the United States Air Force Academy," Calhoun said. "We are diligently recruiting and working with our team to prepare for the upcoming season.
"We look forward to coaching and being a part of the Air Force Academy team both on and off the field in 2010."
By that point even Fulmer had released a statement clarifying that he wasn't chasing the UT gig, though his might have stung the school the most.
Fulmer didn't take any direct shots at the administration or Kiffin, but the message was clear anyway. And by the time a North Carolina television station reported that Cutcliffe was headed to UT, it appeared he had got everything he wanted.
"Recent events have been painful and an embarrassment to all of us who care about UT," Fulmer said. "I love the university, I am loyal to my alma mater and am ready to help as the university makes one of the most important decisions in the history of our football program. However, to prevent any misunderstanding, I am not seeking to be a candidate for the head coaching position.
"I am looking forward to embracing the next coach and have some strong beliefs about the kind of man he should be. He must embrace Tennessee's culture and traditions, be mature and of good character, and demonstrate integrity and leadership to our young men who desperately want to be shown the way. He must deserve, earn and keep the trust of our young men -- both present and future."
Hamilton has looked at more than a few options looking for a guy that fit the bill.
There's a paper trail of statements to prove it.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 117
DooleyNoted writes:
Why aren't they looking at Jim Harbaugh. He was on SC's list, is an energetic young proven coach that runs a pro style offense. He is almost like Kiffin with class.
kingcole57 writes:
WHY CANT THE KNS REPORT THAT LOVIE SMITH IS ON THE LIST AND MAYBE HAD A OFFER MADE TO HIM LIKE ALL THREE OF THE LOCAL TV STATIONS AT 11PM
volpreacher writes:
Bob Stoops.
volmaniac writes:
Harbaugh just signed a 3 year contract in December. I can't find any connection that would make him interested in our coaching vacancy. He is a Big 10, PAC 10 guy, but a great coach.
516milesfromUT writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
rockytoporange writes:
It is going to be Lovie Smith it is everywhere every sight you look at be it Bears or VOLS
stayingorange writes:
KNS you're certainly sticking to your guns. You'll either be right or a complete laughing stock tomorrow - scooped by people actually bringing the news straight to you on your own site.
516milesfromUT writes:
= overated, can't win a big game anymore, a "2000's coach" at best, next decade please
revjulian writes:
If it's Coach Cut, it's Coach Cut! Let's get over who we think is best and get behind the man. I would have liked to have seen a flashier hire, but look what we got with our last flash in the pan!
Glad to see that they got a slap in the face when Chow announced he was staying. I think Chow might have seen the writing on the wall about those boys out there..... come Feb 21 or so when USC is down 5 scholarships, Kiffin and Orgeron will be singing a different tune. Still think and hope the get into trouble about tampering with our recruits here.
One of the big questions I want to know is, Does this mean we will never see the black jerseys again? I actually loved them. I hope we can mix some old skool (winning, integrity, championships, loyalty) with the new skool (swagger, buzz). Not all that Kiffin did was bad... it just surely isn't outweighed by the harm he done.
nyc_vol writes:
Leach or Smith, please.
SouthALVol writes:
I really hoped they would bring in someone proven but again outside "the family." I wonder if they shot for the moon and talked to people like Gruden or maybe even tried to convince Tony Dungy to come out of retirement. This seems like they settled on someone who was safe and would perpetuate the same culture UT has had for about the last 30 years. I was actually kind of excited about finding a new coach and not really upset about Kiffin leaving. Now I'm just let down. I suppose the UT job isn't considered to be that great if we can't get anyone we want.
GC23Vol writes:
Im not sure if this has been posted yet but everyone should read this...its pretty sad
http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2010...
hueypilot writes:
I guess it's true that the last girl at the bar gets prettier, the closer it gets to closing time.
Cromptons1Cuz writes:
http://www.heraldsun.com/pages/full_s...
Just keeping it real!
revjulian writes:
re: the fanhouse article
Unbelievable! Imagine the student having to correct the teacher! Becoming more and more pleased everyday that those snakes are out of Tennessee.
volatil writes:
way better than anything else being mentioned right now.
volatil writes:
This article was posted three hours ago. Three hours from now, we may have three new candidates.
Cromptons1Cuz writes:
Wowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww !!!!!!!!!!
Everyone must read this.
MH has to be fired now!
He had to know LK was a snake in the grass all the time!
This is sad!!!!!!!!!
I weep for our kids!
GC23Vol writes:
I know, I wish I woulda have heard this sooner...Now Im glad he is gone
The last thing I want is another USC especially at UT..Glad someone is gonna be HC that repects what Tenn is
Cromptons1Cuz writes:
I sure hope so!!!!!!!!
Thanks!
volatil writes:
Utah rivals site says Whittingham has become UT's leading candidate with a fallback plan of Cut. I got it off a thread on Volnation.
516milesfromUT writes:
i.m sorry. i can't embrace the hiring of cut. i don't think i will be driving 516 miles this year. i will be ending my own tradtion. i really feel for the first time, anger for MH. i want him gone!
JLeon04 writes:
That is what I have been screaming!
volatil writes:
I don't think it's going to be Cut, could be wrong, but you're not the only one not embracing this, most of the Volnation isn't on board.GBO
Cromptons1Cuz writes:
Thanks!
Any news is good news at this point.
Even the xanax isn't helping my nerves!
I have a new grandson and want him to be able to watch the big orange and feel the chills I used to when they ran thru the T.
And I don't want him to have to wait till he is 12!
Please stay at Duke David!
Kevinyaheard writes:
I don't know why everybody is so T'd off about coach Cut. Going back to the way things were in the 90's is a bad thing?? I miss the way Tennessee football was in the 90's myself... I don't know though, all that winning did get kinda old huh?? It was SO MUCH BETTER IN THE 00'S!!! You all are F'n crazy... lol
colt writes:
I heard Tennessee had a plane on the way to pick up Lovie. Maybe true, maybe not. Pray that its true. If Cut gets this job the recruits leave and half the fans. Madnes.
luvsecfball writes:
good luck Vols with your coaching search. Utahs coach would be a good choice maybe?
Alwaysavol writes:
I don't think Cut is the right man for the job. I like Cut, I think he did an excellent job both times he was here, and I will support him if he is indeed the guy we hire. However, this hardly seems like the fanbase-energizing, recruit-exciting hire we need. It would almost feel like we just hired Fulmer back.
FWBVol writes:
I will support whoever comes out of the fog of this week as the Tennessee head football coach as long as it isn't Mike Leach or Jim Leavitt. Those two might be as big or bigger head cases than the guy that headed west earlier this week.
Let's face it, at this point in the off season cycle we aren't likely to get the coach, or type of coach a lot of fans desire.
Kippy Brown remains my first choice, but I'm not opposed to David Cutcliffe.
One of the biggest needs we will face in 2010 is the quarterback situation. We need a guy that has a proven track record in developing quarterbacks and David Cutcliffe is undoubtly one of the best in the business at that.
Cutcliffe has a history with Nick Stephens the year Stephens redshirted and his redshirt freshman season. There would be an immediate comfort zone with Cutcliffe and Stephens. Tyler Bray, physically, seems to be a Peyton Manning type quarterback and we all know how Peyton credits Cutcliffe with much of his success.
Hiring Cutcliffe would also mean an offense somewhat similar to, if not practically the same as Tennessee was running prior to Clawson's arrival in 2008. Yes, for a lot of the younger guys it would be a second or third offense in as many years, but for the redshirt juniors and seniors it is something they've known in the past and the learning curve won't be as steep.
There are a lot of positives about hiring David Cutcliffe aside from his embracing the Tennessee traditions most of us know and love.
dowhatsright writes:
Here are some facts that will make you feel better:
Tennessee's Record:
Fulmer with Cutcliffe as OC, 86 wins 19 losses (82%)
Fulmer w/o Cutcliffe as OC, 66 wins 33 losses (67%)
The average age of the coaches of the final top five BCS teams was 51. Cutcliffe is 55.
- While Cut was at Ole Miss (1999 to 2004) he had a 44-29 record, a 3-1 bowl record, and Eli Manning was the first pick in the NFL draft. In contrast, Ed Orgeron in the next 3 years (2005-2007) was 10-25
- It is twice as hard to recruit for Ole Miss as it is for UT - smaller school, deep south small town, and the whole Colonel Reb "wish I was in the land of cotton" image is a tough sell to a lot of recruits. and would make it tough to get kids from the north or west coast.
- In his six full seasons at Ole Miss (1999 to 2004), they averaged more than 350 points per year, including shattering the record for points scored in a season in 2003 with 442.
- In 2003 Cutcliffe guided Ole Miss, who many picked to finish fifth in the SEC’s Western Division, to a 10-3 overall mark and a share of the SEC West title with BCS National Champion LSU. The title was the Rebels’ first league football title of any sort since winning the conference crown in 1963. They beat Oklahoma State 31-28 in the Cotton Bowl and ended the 2003 season with a No. 13 national ranking. It was Ole Miss’ first New Year’s bowl since 1991.
- Cut was the first Ole Miss coach since 1941 (63 years) to post winning marks in his first five years.
- Cut took Ole Miss to four bowl appearances in his first five seasons, and is the only head coach in Ole Miss history to do that.
- As the Head Coach at Duke he is 2nd only to Steve Spurrier in winning percentage in the modern era of college football (since 1980), 38% winning percentage (9 wins in 2 seasons, 15 losses). The prior ooach was 6 and 45. I don't think they have had a winning record since 1994 when they went to the Hall of Fame Bowl.
Steve1149 writes:
Cutcliffe is as capable of a recruiter as anyone out there. A 90's Coach? What in the world does that mean. What would you call Joe Paterno for goodness sake? There is not a better choice or fit for Tenneassee's Head Coaching position at this particular time. He knows the team culture and he loves Tennessee football. He is able, energetic and competant not to mention honest. He has the integrity to take our program back where it belongs...... ON TOP!
Cromptons1Cuz writes:
http://www.tennessean.com/article/201...
TxFatBoy writes:
It sure appears that we've decided to settle on the first person we can get in here. We are on the verge of doing something that scientists have not been able to figure out...we're going back in time. The problem is, the rest of college football is moving to the future. I like Cutcliff but this is NOT the proper move.
If we cannot get someone from outside the "Tennessee Family" right now then give the job to Kippy with a short contract. It seems like Hamilton has thrown in the towel and accepted that UT is just not a desireable place to coach. I cannot accept that! Hiring Cutcliff will set our program back at LEAST 4 years. I don't know about most of you here, but I'm too old to wait 4 years for UT football to be a national power again.
TxFatBoy writes:
Exactly WHAT in his resume makes you think he can bring UT back to the top of college football? A few years at Ole Miss with Eli? Or a couple of average seasons at Duke? We don't neeed a "capable recruiter"...we need and OUTSTANDING RECRUITER! Mentioning Cutcliff in the same sentence as Joe Pa is a joke! Even the legendary Bobby Bowden has passed his ability to coach. Face it...the game and players change. They relate more to younger, energetic, fired up coaches. We need innovation and excitiment, not the incestious relationships hiring only coaches from the "Tennessee Family".
If Hammy hires him we'll have lost the "WOW" factor and settled for the "WHOA" factor. I'd rather use an interim head coach and write off this years recruiting class than hire the wrong man and be stuck with 3-5 years of mediocre, or worse, results only to start the mess all over again. At THAT time the program will be in FULL DECLINE and would REALLY be tough to sell to a good coach! Look how long it took to get a decent basketball coach here! For years all we've had to hang our hat on was our football program, do we really want THAT to become what our basketball program was for years???
TxFatBoy writes:
You are exactly right! That's what it would feel like. It's like divorcing your wife who made you miserable the last few years only to remarry her because it was convenient.
TxFatBoy writes:
Do you REALLY believe that things would be like they were in the 90s if Cutcliff becomes head coach? Even the 90s were frustrating to be that close to greatness only to fall short time and again. With the talent we had on some of those teams we should have dominated the SEC and probably won at least 1 more NC.
Now, as others have pointed out, other SEC schools have strong head coaches and great recruiters. It's much harder to compete with UF and Bama. The days of beating Bama despite being out-coached because of our talent level are over. LSU was way down in the 90s, they're way UP now. Ole Miss is MUCH better than they were in the 90s. UF is on automatic pilot, the recruits line up to go there. Say what you will about Lame Kiffin...he DID go out and get good recruits even competing against Mr. Meyer.
No, I don't want an offense or team from the 90s...I want to move to the future. Maybe we could go all the way back to the days of running twice and then quick-kicking on 3rd down!
TxFatBoy writes:
Where did you see that? I can't find that anywhere.
DannyVol writes:
and "phooey" automatically replaces "c r a p"?
DannyVol writes:
Cutcliffe and Fulmer are not the same person or coach. Cut is an offensive guru and the only reason Peyton came to our school. Likewise, whrn Cut was at Ole Miss and away from Fulmer's field position obsession, his offense lit it up.
TxFatBoy writes:
And yet the best offer he could get was Duke. I'm sorry, but we need new blood! Yes we take risks by bringing in someone who doesn't have long term ties to UT but the potential upside is huge. Hammy needs to keep interviewing, maybe he's looking in the wrong places.
TxFatBoy writes:
Just for the record...Mack Brown attended Vanderbilt and FSU. Nick Saban went to Kent State University. Urban Meyer went to Cincinnati. Joe Paterno went to Brown University. Bobby Bowden went to Alabama and then Howard University. Even General Neyland did not attend UT. Cutcliffe went to BAMA, so why do some many people here feel that we must have someone with strong Tennessee ties as a coach?
CT_Vol1 writes:
It would be impossible to imagine a university administration and athletic department more inept than the one at the University of Tennessee. To say they are stupid fools and idiots is to be kind. In any other business they would be out on the street for their monumentally incompetent management of a crown jewel of the university. I would encourage all of you to contact the governor's office and ask for their collective removal.
volz69 writes:
does anyone not remember that fucliff was one of the main reason that we wanted fulmer out? he was part of the problem with the program underneath fulmer, he was offensive cord when peyton was there yeah he groomed him good but we were still conservative. he was there also in the coahing staff when we went 5-7 WTF!!!!! does anyone remember this at all?????????
volz69 writes:
I will say this if HAMILTON hires fucliff as the head coach then yes HAMILTON should be FIRED!!!!!!
londonvol writes:
Let's hire two HC's (one in training)
adamsmith5529#630125 writes:
In 2 years we will be in the same spot we are now.
Terrible hirer!
Should've just hired fulmer! Coach Cut is too old and laid back for this type of sec league. Its not the 90s. Everything is way to fast pace for this guy.
in 2 years we will be looking for another coach. I just hope they learn their lesson with this hirer....finally. The SEC will be laughing at us now! Bad move! and if you disagree....your retarded!!!
orangepaws writes:
this is awful...I will continue my fan status...but I am not excited and will not support them financially, at all. I Love Tennessee. We are coaching on the cheap with this move. I'd rather pay an unknown 4.5 or 6 mil a year to open eyes and make a statement about expectations than pay good-ol-dave 1.75 for what we know is below-average results. This is a sad time for Tennessee fans. All of us. *staggers into kitchen for more whiskey....*
nbt44 writes:
Anybody but Cutcliffe! Talk about taking a step backwards.
P.S. Foolmer, shut the he11 up and go away. We are sick and tired of you and your sticking your nose into Vols football. You sucked, you were fired, end of story.
graphpro#231211 writes:
Hamilton record.
1. Kept a failing coach to long. Fulmer should have been fired well before he did.
2. Gave him an unwarranted 6 million dollar buyout and a ridiculous 8 win rollover clause in his contract.
3. Hired Kiffin. I was hoping for Brian Kelly personally. After seeing the staff he built, I was okay with Kiffin.
But even with the hire of Kiffin, knowing he coached at USC, why didn't Hamilton have a clause or even a high buyout (lets say ) 6 million. That would reduce any likely hood of him bolting for USC in his first year.
Now we have no coach because of his poor contract negotiation skills. We can't hire anyone at this late moment. We're screwed. (Don't get me started how he's handled season ticket holders, etc.)
We have an athletic director that has single handedly ruined the program. Hamilton is to football what Doug Dickey was to basketball. We all know how that worked out.
If he hires Cutcliff Tennessee football will be irrelevant for many years to come.
After this is over... Hamilton needs to resign or be fired.
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