Every coach's denial of interest in any job becomes inoperative the moment that coach says it. But David Cutcliffe's denial of interest in the Tennessee job, or any position outside of Durham, is pretty strong as such things go.

"I can tell you right now that I'm going to be coaching at Duke next year," he said. "I'm very happy here, and this is where I'm going to be.

"I can put that to rest because that's a fact."

Again, all statements have to be taken with a grain of salt nowadays. And if Cutcliffe is on Dave Hart's short list, it's probably still worth Tennessee's time to call up the coach and at least see if he's interested. If he says no, you ask him who might be a good fit in Knoxville, and everybody has a face-saving explanation for the conversation if it ever leaks.

For now, though, it looks like the odds of getting Cutcliffe to come to Tennessee are long. That doesn't mean they don't exist. (HT: Navin S)