Not Coming
Despite being coveted by Vol fans, barring a miracle, none of these coaches will end up at Tennessee.
Chris Mack (Xavier)
The Latest: Make has turned down multiple chances to jump in the past, even turning down significant pay raises. He’s coaching where he played and is entrenched in the area. There have been no signs he’s willing to leave.
Pros: He’s young (45) and has extensive NCAA Tournament experience—in six years as the head coach of Xavier, his teams have advanced to the tournament four times and made the Sweet 16 three times. He boasts a 134–70 (65.7%) and two regular season conference championships. His salary is in the $860,000 range. He recently listened last year when California reached out to him and might do the same if UT were to make a real run at him this season.
Cons: He played at Xavier and is from Ohio. Mack may not be willing to leave the confines of his alma mater for the SEC. He’s a stretch but may listen for the right dollar amount.
Mick Cronin (Cincinnati)
The Latest: We heard Cronin’s name last year during the search but he wasn’t interested then and both parties appear to have moved on.
Pros: He’s another young coach (43) with an impressive track record. He served as an assistant under Bob Huggins and Rick Pitino before taking the head coaching job at Murray State. In three years there he took his team to the NCAA Tournament twice and won three conference championships. He has served as the head coach at Cincinnati for nine years, earning four NCAA Tournament berths (all in the last four years). In 12 years as a head coach, he has a 252-141 record (64%). His fiery personality would endear him to Vol fans.
Cons: He reportedly makes close to (or over) $2 million a season and could command more than Dave Hart wants to spend. He’s from Cincy and went to school there – he’d be a long shot even if the money is right.
Gregg Marshall (Wichita State)
The Latest: Marshall isn’t coming to Tennessee. In fact, he hasn’t been interested in this job in some time. Don’t be surprised if he ends up at Texas. Alabama AD Bill Battle is also reportedly meeting with him on Monday.
Pros: His resume speaks for itself. He won 71.6 % of his games and made the NCAA Tournament in 11 of his 17 years as a head coach. He’s been to a Final Four and is just 52 years of age. He’s won 16 regular season and conference tournament championships. Marshall also isn’t making a ton of money (around $1.75 million per year). He’s a proven winner who coached Wichita State to an undefeated season last year and a Sweet 16 this year. Can he take the Shockers any higher? Probably not. He might be looking for a good opportunity in a power conference and has listened to overtures from UT before.
Cons: There are no cons on the court. Off the court, he’s notoriously hard to work with and is not in any way a salesman. He hasn’t endeared himself to those around him. That’s not a big deal to fans, but it is to folks who make decisions. He’s also not likely to leave Wichita for Tennessee. He turned down $2+ million offers from major conference teams multiple times.With multiple reports out there that Alabama is prepared to pay him in excess of $3 million a season, he’s likely out of Tennessee’s price range. And Tennessee burned multiple bridges with Marshall during previous coaching searches. He’s a name people will focus on, but isn’t a realistic option.
Shaka Smart (VCU)
The Latest: Smart has turned down multiple jobs (and significant increases in pay) in the past and most of those presented better opportunities to win immediately than Tennessee. The Vols also aren’t willing to spend what it’d take to get him to listen.
Pros: He’s young (37 years of age), energetic, plays an exciting style and is a winner. In six years as the head coach of VCU, he won 74.4% of his games. In his second season as a head coach, he took VCU from a “play in” game to the Final Four. His teams have made the NCAA Tournament and won at least one game in four of his six seasons as a head coach.
Cons: He isn’t likely to take the Tennessee job after turning down Marquette (he’s from Wisconsin), UCLA, and a host of other programs in recent years. He makes $1.5 million and UT would have to offer him well over $2 million to even get him to listen. He would win big at Tennessee, but Hart and Co. would be fortunate if he even listened to their overtures.
Tom Crean (Indiana)
The Latest: Crean still has a job at Indiana but is likely to float his name for several vacancies. He is, simply, out of Tennessee’s price range.
Pros: Though he’s still employed at Indiana, he may be looking to get out ahead of the crowd and change jobs before a decision is made for him. Several sources have indicated that he’s floating his name for several vacancies at this point and he would probably listen to Tennessee. He has an overall 311–207 (.600) record and a 9-8 mark in NCAA Tournaments. In seven seasons at Indiana, he’s been to two Sweet 16s and three NCAA Tournaments. Prior to his time at Indiana, he went to five NCAA Tournaments and made one Final Four run in nine seasons at Marquette. Though Indiana fans have mixed feelings about Crean, you can’t argue with his success.
Cons: He’s making over $3 million a year and would certainly be one of the more costly options on this list. He might be willing to take a pay cut to get out ahead of the mob, but that’s the only way Tennessee could potentially afford Crean. He has an abrasive personality that is sure to rub some folks the wrong way.
Archie Miller (Dayton)
The Latest: Miller, despite his affordability, simply isn’t likely to jump for the Tennessee job. He’s happy at Dayton and will be a candidate for better jobs (Texas, anyone?) in the very near future.
Pros: He’s young, a rising star who led his team to the Elite Eight last year and Round of 32 this year. He is one of just six coaches to win at least five NCAA tournament games over the past two seasons. In four years as a head coach, he’s won 66% of his games. He has experience as an assistant at traditional basketball powers Ohio State, Arizona, and NC State. He just signed a contract extension through 2022, but financial details of his new contract aren’t available. He made around $335,000 last season according to USA Today, so he’d certainly be affordable. His new contract is probably in the $500,000 range.
Cons: He has a mediocre conference record in the Atlantic 10 – 39-27 (.591) and he seems happy at Dayton. He’s likely waiting for the perfect opportunity to come along. With Tennessee’s roster limitations, the Vols probably don’t fit that description.
Bruce Pearl (Auburn)
The Latest: Despite rumors and worry on Auburn message boards, Bruce Pearl simply isn’t coming to Tennessee. He may be a candidate for some other jobs, but not for the vacancy in Knoxville.
Pros: Vols fans love him, he’s a proven winner and he’d immediately inject life into the program. Tennessee fans are well aware of all his pros.
Cons: His $5 million buyout and $2.2 million salary aside, this ship has sailed. He eroded trust with Tennessee administrators and boosters during his last year in Knoxville. Though Vol fans almost unanimously love him, people connected to the program do not share the same feelings about Pearl for a variety of reasons. Simply put, he’s not a realistic option for Tennessee.
