State representatives reach out to Tennessee, plead not to hire Greg Schiano
Leave it to Tennessee to have a search for a football coach result in action from local state representatives.
Amidst reports that Tennessee is moving closer and closer to naming Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano as its next football coach, Representative Jason Zachary, of District 14 in Knox County, to issue a statement Sunday afternoon issuing his strong stance against the potential hire.
Check out what Zachary had to say after what can only be assumed was an incredible backlash from his constituents:
I have reached out to @John_Currie and others in administration at UT expressing that WE as a TN Community do not approve of Schiano. #higherstandards
— Rep. Jason Zachary (@JasonZacharyTN) November 26, 2017
The #higherstandards likely has to do with Schiano’s connection to the Penn State Jerry Sandusky scandal. Schiano is alleged by some to have knowledge of Sandusky’s abuse of children and did not report them.
Representative Eddie Smith, also of Knox County, has also issued his disappointment with Tennessee’s interest in Schiano.
Our Tennessee standards mean something, and a Greg Schiano hire would be anathema to all that our University and our community stand for. I sincerely hope that these rumors are not true, because even serious consideration would be unacceptable.
— Eddie Smith (@RepEddieSmith) November 26, 2017
Will this change anything on the hill? If enough people have a similar reaction, it’s hard to believe Tennessee won’t listen.
Protestors have now shown up to campus.
The protests have started. #Vols fans coming together outside of Neyland Stadium. pic.twitter.com/AlISaKSMy9
— Emily Proud (@emily_proud) November 26, 2017