Report: Mike Leach gaining momentum in Tennessee coaching search
The coaching carousel continues to spin, with several schools looking for new leaders for their football teams.
One of those schools is Tennessee, as the Vols recently fired Butch Jones following a lopsided loss at Mizzou.
As #Grumors continue to swirl around Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden, the Vols are seemingly moving on with their search. Now, the top three candidates seem to be Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen, Ohio State DC Greg Schiano and Washington State coach Mike Leach.
According to FootballScoop.com, momentum is building for Leach in Knoxville, and he’s expected to take the job if offered:
While we have heard from sources throughout the week that Currie feels comfortable with Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano if he needs to go there, the buzz in the profession the past 24 hours has been that Mike Leach seems to have a very good shot at being offered the position.
The expectation from those we’ve spoken with is that Leach would accept the position if offered. We can further add that sources tell FootballScoop Washington State officials have had internal discussions about their plans should Leach move on (in addition to Tennessee, Leach could be wind up being a target at other SEC schools as well).
Leach is one of the best interviews in all of sports, so getting him to the SEC would be perfect for reporters and media members across the conference.
Oh, and Leach can also coach. His Washington State offense is one of the best in the country and he has the Cougars ranked No. 13 in the most recent College Football Playoff rankings.
He’d be a good hire for the Vols, who need to get a talented coach this time around.
I’m thinking Kid Rock.
That’s because you’re a liberal idiot.
If these are really the names, it doesn’t look like UT set their sights very high.
Maybe we should’ve went after Orgeron.
He already has his dream job.
I was being facetious. Yea the candidates aren’t exactly what I’d want but it’s an improvement over jones. At this point in time to get Mullen, leach, or even Petersen is a big “get” for the fact that the cupboard is getting low. If Mullen and Petersen decide to stay where they’re at, frost goes to Nebraska and leach comes to Tennessee that’s going to leave other schools with a lot worse options. Florida, arkansas, ole miss, and A&M are going to be in bad shape. Right now is the time for our AD to take action and get a coach. If we wait much long we will SOL
The early names were Gruden, Petersen, and Mullen. The other names aren’t bad, but aren’t that exciting either.
SDS has been very out of the loop as far as the coaching search goes it seems. Following insiders and people with insider connections to UT is able to get you much more reliable info. With that said Currie has kept this exceptionally close to the vest so even the best info needs to be taken with a grain of salt. Current word is that Peterson, Mullen, Leach, and Gruden (highly unlikely) are the primary targets. Contrary to reports Kelly never turned down Tennessee because we never inquired. Two of Kelly’s agents approached UT to see if we wanted to talk. We said no because of his prior NCAA issues. With Kiffin and Pearl having trouble with NCAA and Jones and the Title IX Tennessee wants nothing to do with somebody that has had problems with the NCAA. Also the report that came out earlier today saying we backed off of Campbell is highly suspect. There has been little to no evidence that UT even contacted Campbell. Current odds among UT insiders are saying that Mullen and Peterson are the most likely.
Haha! Please let it be Leach! What is wrong with Tennesse?
Leach is quirky, but no one can dispute his coaching ability. He has been successful everywhere he has coached.
If you call mediocre disputing his coaching ability. He is a dependable 8-4 guy playing in weak conferences. Don’t even try to sugar coat it.
That being said, I believe Tennessee will get someone much better. Leach is just media fodder to discuss.
Another dumb comment. Leach has been very good at mediocre schools. That’s a testament to his coaching ability. None of the big schools have ever given him a shot. Having said that you win in the sec with D. If he could hire s good DC I would be excited to see what he could do.can do
If leach comes, maybe we can stop the stupid woooo and go to arrrrrgh in rocky top.
Leach would be a great hire for Tennessee. His system would have them back in the hunt immediately.
The hunt for relevance. Leach would be a step backwards from Jones. As much as I hate to say it, Tennessee has too big of a program to settle for mediocrity.
As a Georgia fan I will laugh if they hire Leach. I still think Mullen is going to Knoxville which would make Tennessee instantly competitive again.
Good, we’ll take Leach.
I would ask a Georgia fan if I wanted to know about mediocrity. That’s your total program history. You do have a tiny bit of tradition though.
Leach is a screwball.
A better move would be to go hard after Jeff Brohm up at Purdue. He’s worked wonders with minimum talent up there and his buyout drops significantly after 12/5/17. He’s got a plug and play full staff and a proven system that’s worked with much less talent [at WKY & Purdue] than he see right away here. I say go sign him. Sky’s the limit for the guy and he’s mid-to late 40’s. He’d stick around for awhile.
Report: This report will be replaced by another report just as sure and breathless as this one, in another few hours or so, and we will all dutifully click on it.
What a joke!