Earlier on Sunday afternoon, there were many reports that Greg Schiano would be hired as Tennessee’s next head coach. And now there are reports that that deal is off and talks have subsided between the Vols and Schiano.
According to Tennessee’s Rivals.com affiliate, talks have stalled between Tennessee and Schiano, and the deal for him to become the next head football coach of the Vols is off the table.
The report indicates that Tennessee athletic director John Currie flew up to Columbus, Ohio to talk with Schiano and hoped to bring him back to Knoxville for an announcement later on Sunday evening. But those plans changed due to the massive amount of backlash the reported hire received once it was leaked to the media and fans.
Long-time Knoxville reporter Jimmy Hyams also confirms that a press conference to announce the hiring of Schiano was canceled “due to protests.” He does clarify that it could be rescheduled for Monday, but it could also mean the deal has fallen through.
I am told Tennessee was going to have a press conference tonight to announce the hiring of Schiano but canceled it due to protests. Unsure if it will be rescheduled tomorrow or if the deal has fallen through. One prominent booster wasn’t happy with Schiano hire.
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) November 26, 2017
Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports says Schiano’s reps and Tennessee are working on “an exit strategy” after today’s events.
SOURCES: There is some talk going on now between Greg Schiano’s reps & #Tennessee about an exit strategy of what has become a very volatile situation. Paperwork was in progress. “They’ve spooked them all,” said a source. “It’s a hot mess.”
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 27, 2017
Vol fans took to Twitter to voice their outrage, students and fans protested on UT’s campus, and even Tennessee state representatives voiced their displeasure with the hire on Sunday. All of that unprecedented backlash over a coaching hire caused the talks between Currie and Schiano to be put on hold and ultimately dropped.
The backlash over Schiano was primarily due to his controversial past involving his time at Penn State during the Jerry Sundusky situation. Schiano was said to have not reported incidents he witnessed according to unsealed court documents from the trials.
The Rivals.com report states that John Currie is expected to address the media to discuss the unfoldings on Sunday sometime “in the near future.” It’s unclear if this will be via a press conference or a press release via email.
We will have more on this story as it develops.
One Response
Because Schiano expressed concern over the protests, he has no legal grounds for compensation.