The University of Tennessee has started its search for a new men's basketball coach with five coaches at the top of the list, according to a source in the school's athletic department.
According to the source, who requested anonymity because all of the coaches have yet to be contacted, UT plans to have a coach in place within the next two weeks.
The five coaches that were at the top of UT's list after Bruce Pearl was fired on Monday are Pittsburgh coach Jamie Dixon, Villanova coach Jay Wright, Alabama coach Anthony Grant, Texas A&M coach Mark Turgeon and Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall.
Athletic directors at the respective schools did not return phone calls placed by the News Sentinel on Wednesday.
UT senior associate athletic director Chris Fuller and UT associate athletic director Desiree Reed-Francois are taking active roles in the coaching search along with athletic director Mike Hamilton, and university chancellor Jimmy Cheek will oversee the process, according to the source.
Two other coaches interested in the job are Oakland coach Greg Kampe and Belmont coach Rick Byrd. At this time, there's no indication UT has shown interest in either.
The source in the Vols athletic department said Byrd showed interest in the opening on Wednesday.
A source in the Oakland (Mich.) University basketball program said Kampe exhibited strong interest in the position on Wednesday, as well.
The source at Oakland asked for anonymity because of the upcoming NCAA signing period for recruits.
n Dixon, 45, was named the 2010-11 National Coach of the Year by The Sporting News. He is 216-60 in his eight seasons at Pitt, and has led the Panthers to NCAA tournament appearances each of those seasons.
n The 49-year-old Wright is 224-110 at Villanova since taking over in 2001, and 346-195 with seven-seasons previously at Hofstra. Villanova has won 20 or more games and played in the NCAA tournament each of the past seven seasons.
n Grant, 44, is 40-26 in two seasons at Alabama, including 23-11 this season heading into Wednesday night's third-round game in the NIT tournament on the heels of winning the SEC Western Division this season.
Prior to taking over the Crimson Tide, Grant spent three seasons as coach at Virginia Commonwealth, where he led the Rams to a 76-25 record that included two trips to the NCAA tournament.
n The 46-year-old Turgeon is 97-40 since replacing Billy Gillispie at Texas A&M four years ago.
Prior to coach the Aggies, Turgeon was coach at Wichita State where he went 128-89, including a win over Pearl's first UT team in the second round of the 2006 NCAA tournament.
n Marshall, 48, completed his fourth season with the Shockers this season capping off back-to-back 25-win seasons that led to NIT appearances.
Prior to Wichita State, Marshall made seven NCAA tournament appearances in his nine seasons at Winthrop, including one that ended with a buzzer-beating shot by Chris Lofton in a loss to Tennessee in a first-round game in the 2006 NCAA tournament.
n Kampe, 55, has built up the Oakland University program from humble beginnings, leading the team the past 27 years from its transition as a Division II program to Division I and NCAA tournament appearances the past two seasons.
Kampe has won 50 of his past 53 league games and was recently named Summit League Coach of the Year. The Golden Grizzlies defeated then-No. 7 ranked Tennessee, 89-82, in Knoxville on Dec. 14. Oakland ranked second in the nation in scoring at 85.5 points per game.
n The 57-year-old Byrd pioneered Belmont's rise in status from NAIA to NCAA Division I contender over the past 25 years. The Bruins have played in the NCAA tournament four of the past six seasons.
Byrd, named this year's Atlantic Sun Conference Coach of the Year, is a Knoxville native who attended UT and served as a student assistant coach under former Vols coach Ray Mears.
Mike Griffith covers Tennessee basketball. Follow him on Twitter at http://twitter.com/MikeGriffith32
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Comments » 181
rockytopnation16 writes:
Go big or go home.
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Agreed. I have to admit, though, it would be nice to find a big-time coach who has "Tennessee connections" (born here, went to school here, family here, etc...). Of course, we may not have that luxury.
My hopes are high but expectations are low in light of what the next coach is facing at UT.
BleedsOrangeinMO writes:
I say get Kampe. His team never took a play off when they beat UT at home.
rootin4volz writes:
That would be Ricky Byrd! Hell of a coach! Look what he's done at Belmont!
VolzsFan writes:
Most of these guys after doing their research will see a University that has fired the 3 most successful and best coaches in the 3 main sports over the past 5 years. They will find no loyalty. They will see a fan base that does not understand that when you do things at a school when that school has never done those things in it's history, you need to be loyal.
The fans and administration say they want to swim in the deep waters of college sports yet they run and hide when its time to get it done. Fair to say that the only person of any stature that they will end up with is somebody running from something.
crutch1966 writes:
why is everyone against greg marshall? i think he is awesome!
jmrinlc#648927 writes:
If we get Rick Byrd (which I think would be a great hire) you'll get Randy Lambert too. They have known each other for years and both are top notch, ethical straight shooters. You would be getting two great individuals. For those that don't know Coach Lambert. He is the Maryville College coach and AD. I have known him for years. Top notch person and coach.
claiborneh writes:
Most of these men don't need to research. All they need to see is the paycheck and prestige.The things you are talking about are from a local perspective. Any of these people will not have much time to research. They have never made the big money yet. They have been waiting for this advancement their entire career. You really think someone from Oakland or Wichita cares about these kind of concerns."Uh, sorry but due to my extensive research I've concluded due
to loyalty concerns, I must turn down the two million dollar compensation and Lexus and endorsement incentives and new house and national telecasts , and stay here in the cornfield
with my loyal administration fans and staff. And my wife is in complete agreement !"
westennvol writes:
Of these listed...Anthony Grant. Not listed Brad Stevens first.
ps. I will always be a Pearl fan..no matter where he coaches in the future.
DMyles writes:
Best coach out there is Larry Brown. He might not be a long term solution, but he has the experience to take us to the promise land with the talent we already have. In a few years one of his assistants can take over. Half the coaches in the nba are former Larry Brown assistants.
ReVolver writes:
While I don't agree with some of what Hamilton has done, calling him a "POS" is ludicrous. Get a life.
newtonrail writes:
Tulsa's Doug Wojcik, if Ga Tech doesn't get him first.
Katphan29 writes:
UT will go big, I agree.
But none of these guys. This was a leak to throw people off base because the coaching search is going to be so scrutinized.
No way guys like Jay Wright and Anthony Grant will come to TN. I doubt they would leave their programs to go anywhere. Has nothing to do with TN.
mmynatt12 writes:
I like Rich Byrd; would rather have someone who wants to be here. Belmont won big this year, even though the Vols beat them(Belmont did scare us twice though --- big time). The big names remind me too much of the Lane Kiffin saga. They may bolt within a year or two.....Byrd seems to want the job.
commonman writes:
Geno Auiemma
John_10065 writes:
I refuse to think that money is the only motivation to be a coach anywhere.
Razzle writes:
And how are they at recruiting?
TennVol01 writes:
Recruits are looking for a coach that consistently sends players to the NBA. Coach Pearl was not successful in this endeavor. I hope Hamilton looks for a coach with a track record of taking high school players and turning them into NBA players. Recruits will line up to come here.
TennVol01 writes:
Way to have a positive attitude that a new coach may read. Jerk.
TennVol01 writes:
Brad Stevens of Butler is number one on my list. He cannot be mentioned because his team is still alive in the Sweet 16. It would be inappropriate for UT to interfere with his team's great run.
But, the Belmont coach I am not comfortable with, nor Oakland. Both coaches have been at their schools for years and years. They may not be as flexible as younger coaches that have more experience with other teams and geographical locations. Also, I am not comfortable with Alabama head coach. He lost to Florida and Kentucky, our two biggest rivals in basketball. We need a coach that can take these two teams down on a consistent basis.
TennVol01 writes:
Keep up the positive posts. Coaches that may consider coming here could be reading them. JERK
TennVol01 writes:
At 70 years old and money to burn, he should be our last coach to consider. Besides, he has no interest in southern teams.
TennVol01 writes:
That would burn Pat's britches. Don't even go there.
rocky_topper writes:
Of course they are after these five! Now, get down to business and go Div II route like you will ultimately have to do.
Agent13 writes:
I think that Ricky Byrd, while not the popular hire, would be a really solid hire. The biggest question mark with him would be recruiting. I'm not sure why a lot of people are against this idea. He is from Knoxville, a UT Alum, so he loves the city and the university. We need someone who WANTS to be here...not someone who wants to just use us as a stepping stone.
Agent13 writes:
I agree...I think we should go for Byrd if we don't get one of the big names (which we probably won't). I think the guy wants to be here and would be like an older version of Dooley IMO. He is a proven winner. Over 600 wins.
SummittsCourt writes:
Why is hammy still our AD? I wake up each morning hoping to see the news that he is fired or resigned and each day I get disappointed.
It is beginning to look like he isn't going anywhere. (hanging head low and shaking it now)
FIRE HAMMY NOW!
SummittsCourt writes:
Mike Hamilton is the Matt Millen of AD's.
He couldn't screw this job up more if he tried on purpose to screw it up.
Fire him now!
jimr07 writes:
Have to agree with you. I have never seen more negativity than over the Bruce Pearl saga.
dgcarter43 writes:
Brad Stevens has to be a top consideration. Butler can play with anyone year in and year out which tells me he can recruit and he can coach. Of the five listed that would be interested, I would prefer Stevens over either.
I would be interested to know what Bones thinks of him as a candidate.
jimr07 writes:
If Byrd is such a hot commodity, why is he still at Belmont? Just curious.
baneberry writes:
Noone that gets me too excited! Somehow these guys in the Athletic Department will screw this up too.
BillyVol writes:
I just spoke to your boss, he is Hamilton's brother.
kthoma14 writes:
Yeah, a lot of coaches spend there time reading the KNS sports blog and base there multimillion dollar decisions on what is said here.
StuAberdeeneFan writes:
Hard to roll without wheels. Gee, I wonder how our recruiting base would be with Larry Brown? Oh, I heard he can coach too.
Down_The_Field writes:
this list doesn't surprise me a bit. i've been a VOL fan for over 40 years and we've never gone after a high profile coach other than johnny majors. in this list i see is a lot of NIT experience. i'm not asking for coach K, but i would like to see hammy get out the check book and get a real coach with NCAA tourney experience.
stick with the nova and pitt guys.
1bigvolman writes:
BYRD!
Scuba_Curt writes:
Gee, you think Larry Brown can coach? I've seen what he can do with a NBA team, yes, I live in Charlotte. His ego is so big that IF UT could afford him then that would only prove how dumb that AD's office had gotten. The only move that would be dumber would be to hire someone like us to coach. Of course I'll be happy to take the job at significantly less than what a top tier coach will charge, and then if one becomes available, fire me with a very small buy out. I'll be happy to take a load of badmouthing from a bunch of internet players.
iLOVEtheVOLS writes:
I'm hearing Pitino here in Ohio.
VOLsince68 writes:
Uh, we lost to Florida and Ky this year.......just sayin.
GO VOLS!!!!!!!!
Madkels writes:
Who is the person leaking this information from the athletic department? If someone inside my company was leaking this, a job or two would be lost. So that raises the question: Is this factual or meant to mislead in order to through the media off when the actual top candidate is not on the list?
I hope it's the latter and the top candidate is Brad Stevens. He's young, has Butler on the rise, and his players spend more time in class and less in a tattoo shop. This guy is the future Coach K or Williams.
Outdated writes:
I see Anthony Grant as the best coach mentioned based on the remarkable job he has done this year but I don't see him leaving ALA..WE need a coach who can recruit to fit the syle defense they want to play..we did not have that this year...As much as I admired what Pearl did for UT ..he left the cupboard more bare than it was when he came..
Madkels writes:
Excuse me...throw.
Madkels writes:
That makes no sense whatsoever. Louisville has tradition, is in the BigEast, and he is making big $$. Why would he leave there?
al2476 writes:
I am extremely bothered by the fact that Hamilton is involved with the process of hiring a secretary, must less a basketball coach. <<<FIRE HAMILTON >>>
GreerVol22 writes:
common...you mispelkled his last name...it is Geno Wenniemamma...no hard feelings....get it?
iLOVEtheVOLS writes:
1) he has coached in the SEC
2) he has won a national championship in the SEC
3) he has found little success in Louisville, yet has barely endured a personal and public controversy in Louisville
4) he is nearing the end of his coaching career and UT could provide the rebuilding scenario on which he thrives
5) he immediately enters a conference where Calipari again becomes a coaching rival
6) all the amenities of UT are very appealing personally and professionally, especially compared to Louisville
7) he's privately floating his name for consideration, according to former Dayton coach Don Donoher, on local sports talk radio
Stokes44yrs writes:
Git er done!
TNORANGEDOGDAD writes:
This is a rerun, plus two.
budd#207344 writes:
What they will see is a school that fired two lazy coaches who were resting on their laurels and fired a third successful coach after he failed to live up to what he promised when he was caught the first time. So this really should get a coach who believes in himself and his system and knows coming in that failure is not an option. In other words you need to work to be successful and keep on working.
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