Parrish: UT focusing on Mike White for HC vacancy

Uh oh.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24533304/tennessees-search-is-now-focused-on-louisiana-techs-michael-white

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Wes Rucker Tennessee Insider - GoVols247 - 8 minutes ago

One name continues to emerge above the rest in Tennessee's search for a new men's basketball coach. And that name is Michael White from Louisiana Tech.

Several sources have told govols247 the same thing that CBSSports.com's Gary Parrish tweeted a few minutes ago. Other names continue to be mentioned, but White's name has certainly been the most common one.

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Originally Posted by LThoo

Uh oh.

http://www.cbssports.com/collegebasketball/eye-on-college-basketball/24533304/tennessees-search-is-now-focused-on-louisiana-techs-michael-white

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I REALLY hope not, but this rumor might have legs.

I think it has more than legs -

It's at a full gallop

If he has not been offered, he will be

More proof why it was important to focus on the other things regarding our MBB program and not just White's salary. We could have set his salary at $1.2Million instead of $600K and it wouldn't be enough. I assume since White's new deal has not been approved, the buyout will be the lesser amount?

He is gone

But we can hope tho

Left it better than he found it. That's all you can ask really.

I agree...much better

How many recruits will we lose. I suppose White goes with him to TN

Tennessee sure does like to steal our coaches. First Dooley and now White.

We took Summitt though (but it was her son).

depends on who gets our job

Jimmy Watson ‏@JimmyWatson6 13h Mike White has too much integrity to take the Tennessee job.

that means he is gone then

This is getting REALLY damn old. Crowton didn't stay long enough to get us into a bowl game; Dooley didn't stay long enough to get us back to back winning seasons; Dykes didn't stay long enough to win a bowl game; and White hasn't even been around long enough to get us into the Tournament!

How do our coaches keep getting so much attention when we haven't actually PRODUCED anything other than a good season?!

Meanwhile Hudspeth is entering his FIFTH damn year with a record of 27 - 12 with three straight bowl wins and he doesn't even getting a rumor of going anywhere.

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Originally Posted by RougeDawg

This is getting REALLY damn old. Crowton didn't stay long enough to get us into a bowl game; Dooley didn't stay long enough to get us back to back winning seasons; Dykes didn't stay long enough to win a bowl game; and White hasn't even been around long enough to get us into the Tournament!

How do our coaches keep getting so much attention when we haven't actually PRODUCED anything other than a good season?!

Meanwhile Hudspeth is entering his FIFTH damn year with a record of 27 - 12 with three straight bowl wins and he doesn't even getting a rumor of going anywhere.

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Sunbelt.

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Originally Posted by LATechBanjo

Sunbelt.

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Exactly. Regional TV Sunbelt.

I hope he would rather build a dynasty than go for quick cash.

Also, it's Easter! I don't want to deal with this crap right now.

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Originally Posted by RougeDawg

This is getting REALLY damn old.

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Until we get into a power conference, this is our lot in life. We will be hard-pressed to keep a successful coach, in any sport, more than 3-5 years. It does not matter what we pay them or how good our facilities are. Coaches like Mark Few or Shaka Smart are extremely rare.

Cheer up, White is still our coach as of Sunday afternoon. No reason to fret until he is gone.

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Originally Posted by RougeDawg

This is getting REALLY damn old. Crowton didn't stay long enough to get us into a bowl game; Dooley didn't stay long enough to get us back to back winning seasons; Dykes didn't stay long enough to win a bowl game; and White hasn't even been around long enough to get us into the Tournament!

How do our coaches keep getting so much attention when we haven't actually PRODUCED anything other than a good season?!

Meanwhile Hudspeth is entering his FIFTH damn year with a record of 27 - 12 with three straight bowl wins and he doesn't even getting a rumor of going anywhere.

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That's a great post. And right on the mark. I've said the same thing about ULL's Hudspeth for the last 3 years.

I'm not trying to minimize Mike White's success.... I think he's great. But if I had Tennessee's money, conference membership and facilities, I would try to recruit a BIG TIME coach from another big school, one with at least a few NCAA appearances on his record. White doesn't have that.

Dykes didn't have a bowl appearance or a conference championship in his last year with us, but he got the "big job" anyway. Now White is being courted heavily, and he still doesn't have a NCAA Tourney appearance. Seems to me that some of the P5 schools are acting very desperate.

Here is an ESPN article on the same subject with a key quote:

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bask...bulldogs-coach

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Originally Posted by ESPN

However, sources told ESPN.com that White is mulling over the decision whether to take the job and that it's not a given that he will head to Knoxville.

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It's carma... always comes back to you and bites you on the ass!
Coaching is a tuff job, you win your gone, you lose and your gone!

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Originally Posted by hookdown

Until we get into a power conference, this is our lot in life. We will be hard-pressed to keep a successful coach, in any sport, more than 3-5 years.

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Yea, but our average has been three years with only one of those years being good . . . not even great. That sucks.

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Originally Posted by maddawg

Exactly. Regional TV Sunbelt.

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Maybe that's how Benson can recruit new schools: "Come to the Sunbelt...where a halfway decent coach is yours for life!"

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Originally Posted by SpaceDawg

Jimmy Watson ‏@JimmyWatson6 13h Mike White has too much integrity to take the Tennessee job.

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Wouldn't it be great if one coach would do this. I'd like to see just one say "I just signed a new contract and I'm going to at least stay for one more year.There will be plenty of openings next year if I have another good year."

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Originally Posted by DONW

Wouldn't it be great if one coach would do this. I'd like to see just one say "I just signed a new contract and I'm going to at least stay for one more year.There will be plenty of openings next year if I have another good year."

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That is EXACTLY what Mike will do.

Lets see
- the job would definitely require a significant rebuild
- the fan base drove the previous coach out
- they think they won't have to pay top dollar for an up and comer
- you have a very good team here with a great recruiting class
- if you go there you will be stuck for a while and the job your really want might pass you by
- you leave those who gave you a chance and those you have coached and built a bond with to an uncertain fate
- many others are RUNNING AWAY from this job

Looks to me like most of the points are against taking the offer!

Tennessee would be to White what Dooley was to Tennessee....a major mistake.

More and more smoke:

Chad Withrow ‏@withrowzone 19m
A source is telling me that Mike White will be the next coach at Tennessee. Things can change, but he looks like the guy.

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Originally Posted by RougeDawg

More and more smoke:

Chad Withrow ‏@withrowzone 19m
A source is telling me that Mike White will be the next coach at Tennessee. Things can change, but he looks like the guy.

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Its on the crawl on ESPN now :(

http://www.secrant.com/mobile/rant/d...=49447376&pg=1

It is blowing up now.... He is gone

Yep, just caught it on a local channel. The focus IS Mike White !!!

He is not gone! He's already said, "I am not pursuing other opportunities". Also, it is more expensive to live in Knoxville than it is in Ruston. :rolleyes:

Enough of this foolishness. if he is leaving, say so already. Our AD should be on the phone now preparing for the search. if white doesnt leave this year, it will eventually happen. we are always caught off guard by these things. get you a pool of candidates on standby and when White states he is leaving put the new coaches name on the door the same day. Pardon my language, but damn this is frustrating!

I think the next HC already lives in Ruston.

Me too Rafe - makes since with the seniors and class we have coming in

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Originally Posted by ACSlatech1994

...we are always caught off guard by these things...

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When your head coach has just signed a six-year contract extension less than three weeks ago, you would think that would matter.

I know, I know. In "coachspeak", nothing is assured.

what about the recrutes we had signed for this coming year?
Are they still obligated to LaTech?

He is staying here until Ole Miss opens up.......when that vacancy opens, he is gone.

Why go to Tennessee, a mess, and take a huge risk to your future when you can win here and wait for Oxford. We are loaded for the next couple of years

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Originally Posted by Geaux Dawgs

He is staying here until Ole Miss opens up.......when that vacancy opens, he is gone.

Why go to Tennessee, a mess, and take a huge risk to your future when you can win here and wait for Oxford. We are loaded for the next couple of years

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Tennessee is a viable program. Ole Miss is much more of a mess, imo....

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

Me too Rafe - makes since with the seniors and class we have coming in

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Exactly! They've also seen 3 years of modeling on how the program should be run in Ruston. No way I would go with a change in coaching culture with the team we have coming back.

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Originally Posted by boxerdog

Tennessee is a viable program. Ole Miss is much more of a mess, imo....

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Coming off a Sweet 16 run, young talent coming back and some of the best facilities in the South and country

Willing to pay $2 million or better -

Pearl won big there and ignited the fan base - White's charisma and personality would do the same

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Originally Posted by boxerdog

Exactly! They've also seen 3 years of modeling on how the program should be run in Ruston. No way I would go with a change in coaching culture with the team we have coming back.

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That is what I was referring too......what we have coming in and coming back vs Tennessee.............We need remind the Tennessee fans about Dooley!!!!!!! Don't take our coach, we will put a hex on your program!!!!!!!!

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Originally Posted by BlindDog

what about the recrutes we had signed for this coming year?
Are they still obligated to LaTech?

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Yes. Recruits sign with the university, not the coach.

One thing Coach White has stressed the last two years is that the coaches on his staff have plans to be D1 Head Coaches one day and he feels they will make good ones

so Tech should look within at Dusty May or Derrick Jones?

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Originally Posted by rebelboi

so Tech should look within at Dusty May or Derrick Jones?

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I assume Dusty May or Isaac Brown. Jones is the 3rd assistant and gets paid a good bit less than the other two.

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

I assume Dusty May or Isaac Brown. Jones is the 3rd assistant and gets paid a good bit less than the other two.

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That's a good point. You have to think Mike will take one of those 2 with him though. I wouldn't be surprised if Derrick gets an interview. Both have brought in some good recruits.

So, who do we go get? I think White takes the majority of his staff with him.

Any good big12 it sec assistant coaches ready to step up?

Rumor on twitter that he told them no!! Any validity???

Their tune has changed, and now on Volnation they're talking like he said no. I'm feeling a bit better at the moment.

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Originally Posted by ElDoDawgFan

Rumor on twitter that he told them no!! Any validity???

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The rumor is that CMW wants a larger buyout from UT if fired before the end of his contract.

Well, phooey.

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Originally Posted by ElDoDawgFan

Rumor on twitter that he told them no!! Any validity???

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It depends who on twitter is tweeting that.

The "Godfather" of Volnation, guy that most agree has the best inside info, says that CMW has informed Tenn that he is staying at LT.

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Originally Posted by Dawg06

It depends who on twitter is tweeting that.

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I tried twitter.....I guess I am too damn old to understand.

I would guess that this thing could be final by the 10:00 news tonight, good or bad.

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Originally Posted by Hermandawg

The "Godfather" of Volnation, guy that most agree has the best inside info, says that CMW has informed Tenn that he is staying at LT.

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Good news!!

Is there a Tennessee plane we can track?

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Originally Posted by faninmonroe

I tried twitter.....I guess I am too damn old to understand.

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Twitter is a lot simpler and easier to use than Facebook. So if you can figure out Facebook, you can definitely do twitter.

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Originally Posted by faninmonroe

Is there a Tennessee plane we can track?

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He is out of town on vacation

Looking at a thread on VolNation and it looks like that buyout *may* have just saved our coach ... Wouldn't have thought that with an SEC school. Not sold its over yet though ...

I failed at Facebook 4 years ago...what is the point? Not enough time....any spare time I may have is here at BBB.

Oh my......that vol nation message board is blowing up - looks like their AD screwed up big time.

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Originally Posted by faninmonroe

Oh my......that vol nation message board is blowing up - looks like their AD screwed up big time.

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link?

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Originally Posted by Blue Dawg

link?

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http://www.volnation.com/forum/tenne...ls-basketball/

Well this is nerve wracking

They have already given up on CW on Volnation. They are moving to Tyndal now.
Whatever happens, our AD should have a short list for our next basketball HC already. CW won't be here much longer.

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Originally Posted by latech

They have already given up on CW on Volnation. They are moving to Tyndal now.
Whatever happens, our AD should have a short list for our next basketball HC already. CW won't be here much longer.

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Yep, CMW may be on the short-list at Missouri next

Just posted at 10:06 on Volnation, so hold your horses:
A buddy of mine who has some Ole Miss connections just called me to let me know that White has taken the job. He asked me not to reveal him or his connection, but it's a good source. He sent me a picture of the FB conversation with that source. The source was kind of vague in the response IMO, but that person seems to think White is the guy. My buddy is absolutely convinced White is our coach.

I know this all seems sketchy, but I thought it was worth posting.

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Originally Posted by weunice

Looking at a thread on VolNation and it looks like that buyout *may* have just saved our coach ... Wouldn't have thought that with an SEC school. Not sold its over yet though ...

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Well, don't forget about the financial problems they have. Granted, they still have more money than us, but a big buyout and a big salary might be tough for them considering their other bills, and the fact that they are still paying several football coaches.

Missouri does seem like the right fit. I am starting to think he holds out for ole miss in a year.

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Originally Posted by CutiePie72

Just posted at 10:06 on Volnation, so hold your horses:
A buddy of mine who has some Ole Miss connections just called me to let me know that White has taken the job. He asked me not to reveal him or his connection, but it's a good source. He sent me a picture of the FB conversation with that source. The source was kind of vague in the response IMO, but that person seems to think White is the guy. My buddy is absolutely convinced White is our coach.

I know this all seems sketchy, but I thought it was worth posting.

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The followup to that post was very hearsayish

If CW leaves, I hope we could hang on on our recruiting class. The next coach comes in/takes over will be fine since we have a very good group of seniors/juniors.

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Originally Posted by CutiePie72

Just posted at 10:06 on Volnation, so hold your horses:
A buddy of mine who has some Ole Miss connections just called me to let me know that White has taken the job. He asked me not to reveal him or his connection, but it's a good source. He sent me a picture of the FB conversation with that source. The source was kind of vague in the response IMO, but that person seems to think White is the guy. My buddy is absolutely convinced White is our coach.

I know this all seems sketchy, but I thought it was worth posting.

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Damn

Also from Volnation:

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White is considering removing his name because of buyout issues/wording in his contract, and deal is unlikely unless there's a change at the 11th hour.

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I hope all these "insiders" who claimed it was a "done deal" get called out.

MW doesn't want to rebuild all over again at Tenn...he wants to go pretty much straight to his dream job, which is why he apparently wanted the buyout so low. It's unlikely he wants to get trapped rebuilding at Tenn when he's almost done building here.

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Originally Posted by latech

They have already given up on CW on Volnation. They are moving to Tyndal now.
Whatever happens, our AD should have a short list for our next basketball HC already. CW won't be here much longer.

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This is all very interesting to follow. I expect Mike White will stay at least one more season. I'll be very surprised if there is any movement by Coach White this year. Next season looks to be big for him and it will probably be worth waiting.

Southern Miss loses 4 of top 5 scorers next season so Donnie Tyndall should be the one seeking a new position this year. I wouldn't be surprised that he ends up at Tennessee. The Vols will get a good coach with a proven track record and for probably less money than they are offering Mike White. It could be a good deal for Tyndall and for the Vols.

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Originally Posted by Blue Dawg

MW doesn't want to rebuild all over again at Tenn...he wants to go pretty much straight to his dream job, which is why he apparently wanted the buyout so low. It's unlikely he wants to get trapped rebuilding at Tenn when he's almost done building here.

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totally agree - and doesn't look like Tenn will offer him more than 1.3M. So he could wait for another year to pick a better job.

"White is Mr. Hart's and Mr. Cheek's guy. Both feel White would be a great asset to the university, donors, and fans. Hart is trying to lock White into a long term contract. The terms I am hearing are 1.5 Million plus incentatives over 6 years with a 3 Million buyout. I am not hearing the buyout being an issue but the salary of White's staff is. I am sure the terms will change, but I would not expect by much. I would say the chances of this deal getting done is 90%.

I am certain Mr. Hart is aware if he (Hart) does not get White, his other candidate will have leverage to squeeze extra money out of him (Hart) so I believe Hart will go ahead and spend the extra money on White and get his Number#1 coach. I would say 3:00 p.m. tomorrow is the deadline for this deal."

We should make up a thread that our big boosters say he is still in Ruston and staying...and we have the texts to prove it

For what it's worth, my best source just told me Mike's not going anywhere. Let's hope it's finished!

Suspense is killer. I understand the need for privacy by all parties but damn I'd appreciate some candor now and again.

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Originally Posted by theprofessor

For what it's worth, my best source just told me Mike's not going anywhere. Let's hope it's finished!

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is that from the mailman? :D hehe

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Originally Posted by theprofessor

For what it's worth, my best source just told me Mike's not going anywhere. Let's hope it's finished!

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Hope so! I know a student or two that work with/around him - no official knowledge but they say he didn't seem like he's interested in big money. Which we know is pretty true.

Now the VN thread has turned to making fun of Ruston. Guess you gotta find something to do in Knoxville without a good golf course :D

Late news here this evening is STILL saying Mike White.

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Originally Posted by Tech62

Late news here this evening is STILL saying Mike White.

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How so? Staying or leaving?

Bret H. McCormick ‏@b_hoss_mac 9m
Usually refrain from "unnamed sources" but I was just told Mike White has spurned Tennessee and will remain at Louisiana Tech.

Haha. VN thinks Roy Lang is a Tech beat writer.

Still their lead candidate. Mentioned details of his Tech contract and the buy out, but noting more.

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Originally Posted by HoDo-Tech70

This is all very interesting to follow. I expect Mike White will stay at least one more season. I'll be very surprised if there is any movement by Coach White this year. Next season looks to be big for him and it will probably be worth waiting.

Southern Miss loses 4 of top 5 scorers next season so Donnie Tyndall should be the one seeking a new position this year. I wouldn't be surprised that he ends up at Tennessee. The Vols will get a good coach with a proven track record and for probably less money than they are offering Mike White. It could be a good deal for Tyndall and for the Vols.

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Excellent point. Tyndall has to rebuild either way, so he might as well take the money at the bigger school.

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Originally Posted by Blue Dawg

Haha. VN thinks Roy Lang is a Tech beat writer.

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:laugh: :laugh: :laugh:

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Originally Posted by Dwayne From Minden

Me too Rafe - makes since with the seniors and class we have coming in

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Are we sure about that? (Hiring from within.) That's what we did with Jerry Lloyd, and that didn't work out so well. Lloyd won 20 games in each of his first 3 years, and then things went downhill FAST!

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Originally Posted by HogDawg

Are we sure about that? (Hiring from within.) That's what we did with Jerry Lloyd, and that didn't work out so well. Lloyd won 20 games in each of his first 3 years, and then things went downhill FAST!

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The flip side is we hire someone with coaching experience and we still aren't sure. Never know until ya know.

Hopefully we won't have to worry about that for at least one more year..

I just hope they announce something official today - preferably that White TURNED DOWN the job at Tennessee. Would love to see that headline!

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Originally Posted by faninmonroe

Oh my......that vol nation message board is blowing up - looks like their AD screwed up big time.

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They remind me of us.... :laugh:



Realistically, are any of our assistants ready to be a HC? Brown and May both look to have similar resumes which look good. Anybody have any idea if they are HC material right now?


At least this situation should be resolved today. I cannot see this dragging on past 4:00 this afternoon, whichever way it goes.