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Remember three months ago when Tennessee was going to hire Greg Schiano and then a fan revolt led them to go back on it?
Wait, what? That was last weekend?
This coaching search has taken so many twists and turns that it’s hard to keep track of them all. Schiano, Mike Gundy, Jeff Brohm, Dave Doeren, and now Mike Leach. Those are the names that Tennessee has been connected to this week.
Gundy, Brohm, and Doeren all clearly leveraged the opening into raises at their current positions. Did Leach do the same? Well... not quite
According to Brett McMurphy, the Vols were prepared to offer Leach, and it appeared interest was mutual, but Phil Fulmer sabotaged John Currie and has been sabotaging the entire coaching search in hopes of becoming athletic director.
Sources: John Currie was prepared to hire Mike Leach but university officials wouldn’t allow him to do so. Phillip Fulmer has been sabotaging search process in hopes to become Tennessee’s AD
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 1, 2017
Another source: Tennessee’s own people have been ambushing (John) Currie’s (coaching search). They shoot themselves in the foot, cock the gun & shoot themselves in the other foot. It’s been going on for a week"
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 1, 2017
So, that all seems bad. At least it can’t get any worse, right?
TENNESSEE FIRED CURRIE THIS MORNING. IN THE MIDDLE OF A DEBACLE OF A COACHING SEARCH.
Just filed to ESPN: Tennessee has parted ways with AD John Currie on the heels of what has been a disastrous Tennessee coaching search. He met with university officials on Friday morning, and the decision was made then.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) December 1, 2017
What does this mean? Well, it seems at least somewhat likely that Fulmer got his wish and will be the next athletic director. What does it mean for the coaching search? Who knows at this point? The job and program is rapidly becoming one of college football’s most toxic.