Report: Deal “Not Imminent” with Mike Leach

(Photo via James Snook-USA TODAY Sports)

Tennessee’s coaching search has been beyond confusing. And Friday morning has seen yet another twist to the continuous onslaught of disappointment and mystery for the Vols.

According to reports from both ESPN and FOX Sports, Tennessee met with Washington State head coach Mike Leach on Thursday. But according to Chris Low of ESPN, no deal has been struck between the two. And according to him and Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports, Tennessee athletic director John Currie is back in Knoxville on Friday to meet with UT Chancellor Beverly Davenport.

And according to Feldman, there’s a lot of in-fighting within the department.

“This whole deal is complicated by the dynamic swirling around within UT’s leadership,” Feldman states. “We’ve heard from multiple sources there is a lot of in-fighting, finger-pointing and back-stabbing taking place amongst Tennessee brass. As SI reported earlier this week, there is a growing faction at Tennessee pushing to get Currie removed.

“Former Vols head coach Phil Fulmer is said to be one of those battling with Currie and that could muck up the process to reel in Leach.”

According to both Feldman and Low, Leach has “definite interest” in the Tennessee job. Feldman adds that Arkansas is also showing interest in Leach should a deal fail to be struck with Tennessee.

The Vols have already been turned down by David Cutcliffe, Mike Gundy, Jeff Brohm, and Dave Doeren. And this all came after Greg Schiano was almost hired on Sunday but was ultimately passed on thanks to the outcry from Vol fans, politicians, and boosters.

We will have more on this story as it develops.



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2 Responses

  1. We don’t need an average coach,that’s what we have had for the past 10 yrs,Les Miles is out there and there is no buyout and wants to coach,knows the SEC and has a proven record,don’t know why were going after average coaches,get Miles

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