The latest word on the UT coaching situation apparently has hit a snag.  David Cutcliffe reportedly wants to bring his entire staff with him from Duke ... and Mike Hamilton does not want that.  What happened to coaches signing their staff and the administration pencil whipping the forms for the coach?  It worked for Fulmer.

Unlike the previous coaching staff, Cutcliffe is a loyalty man.  He believes that the staff he has assembled is solid enough to challenge in the SEC.  Since several of his staff members followed Cutcliffe from UT two years ago, that is not a far fetched thought.

From a sales perspective, Mike Hamilton is in a poor negotiating position.  If Hamilton wants a coach ASAP, he will likely have to be willing to give in to more demands than what would be considered 'normal'.  Personally, I feel for the man.  Imagine trying to sell something for full price, but needing to get it done before a timer runs out.  Not good.

It is interesting to note that Cutcliffe is represented by Jimmy Sexton.  Sexton, the leading sports agent to Southern Coaches, is a UT alum.  Sexton represented Fulmer, Kiffin, and now Cutcliffe.  Would Sexton be willing to give some ground to his alma mater?  That remains to be seen.  Rest assured that no matter what happens, this is a business deal.

Granted, Sexton's company represents solid coaching talent, but his agency has been at the center of many coaching negotiations involving UT ... negotiations that literally screwed the University.

Phillip Fulmer became the six million dollar (buy out) man, thanks to Sexton.

Lane Kiffin left UT only owing the school a paltry $800k ... thanks to Sexton.

Sexton's agency holds the high ground in the negotiating process.  His client already has a relatively low stress coaching position.  If Cutcliffe can win 5,6, or 7 games per year in Durham, he is a success.  Keep in mind that Cutcliffe has a history of stress, ulcer, and heart problems. 

In leaving Duke, Cutcliffe would be leaving the beach for the city.  The UT job is as stressful as they come in major college football.

Cutcliffe was our 'obvious' choice from day one.  UT needs instant credibility and stability.  While Cutcliffe is not a master recruiter, he does bring familiarity and stability to the program.

If Cutcliffe can not come to terms with the University, who would UT turn to?

UT has been confirmed to have at least touched base with Utah's Kyle Whittingham.  Would Wittingham realistically want to enter a division against his mentor, Urban Meyer? 

UT fans and media alike have literally burnt twitter.com down today with the rumors and sources.  From my last count though, only six coaches have been named in today's rumor mill:

* Jon Gruden:  Turned UT down
* Will Muschamp:  Turned UT down to stay at the other UT
* Troy Calhoun:  Could not come to terms, take him from the list (would not have fit in)
* David Cutcliffe:  Rumored to currently be in negotiations.  Wants to bring his entire staff (rumor)
* Kyle Whittingham:  Would he fit in?  Did he turn UT down as well?
* Derek Dooley:  Will make a fine ASSISTANT coach in the SEC someday

Where is UT heading?

All signals are currently getting mixed:  can't come to terms, Cutcliffe isn't interested, etc ... if UT can not get a deal struck with David Cutcliffe, the school will be in an absolute jam.

Is Cutcliffe a last resort at this point.  UT needs SILT:

*Stability
*Integrity
*Loyalty
*Trust

Basically, everything that everyone believed Kiffin was ... but wasn't.

If Cutcliffe turns UT down like (at least three) others have, who is left?  Is Cutcliffe a serious candidate or is he a smoke screen?

What about Lovie Smith? 
What about Kippy Brown? 
Who is left? 

With the dead period in recruiting expiring, and recruits already decomitting left and right, the Vols are hitting crunch time.  The next 12-24 hours could be very interesting.  It would not be a reach to see someone come from left field to become UT's next head coach ... just like Lane Kiffin did 14 months ago.

Comments (0)

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Add Comment