On Randy Shannon: If this guy doesn't end up here as UT's Defensive Coordinator, it will be the most smoke ever for a non-story. I told you earlier in the week that I got it from a high level source that it was done.


Last night on Twitter, Miami Herald reporter and radio personality Armando Salguero had the following.

'Source tells me after a couple of hiccups Randy Shannon has finally agreed to become Tennessee defensive coordinator.'


The highly respected footballscoop.com had the following about 8pm eastern last night. 'Tennessee: Multiple sources telling us that Randy Shannon has agreed to become defensive coordinator at Tennessee. Tennessee has not confirmed.'


I've never stopped believing this week that it would happen. That said, anything can and will happen in matters such as these. And at Tennessee, where they are minting Kevlar cups for our male and female fans alike, anything usually means something horrible. That said, Shannon to UT is an interesting possibility. I made some calls last night to friends in the coaching profession and here's what I was told about Shannon by a couple of guys I think the world of.

'I think Randy's a good guy. I wonder what kind of fit he'll be with Derek Dooley. You know with Dooley’s reputation for being tough on assistants. He's a cordial guy who will come in and do his deal and keep his mouth shut. Seems like a really solid hire considering the circumstances.'


And another source in the coaching profession raised an interesting point.

‘I like Randy a lot. He's a really talented guy with a great reputation. But, will he come in and recruit hard? That's the tough part. Because after you're a head coach I believe it's tough to put that hard hat back on. Tennessee really needs a guy who can recruit. It's about players at this point. Perhaps more than X's and O's.’


Incidentally, Randy's agent is a guy named Neil Cornrich. He's a hardball player from back in the day. It's a shame Mike Hamilton isn't still on the hill. This guy would be getting really paid right now.




Couple of huge days on the show has me feeling energized. First Charles Davis came on with me Wednesday and was amazing. He said Tennessee should NEVER be in this position. NEVER. And he's pissed about it. Love the emotion and love that Davis displayed. Charles Davis is a special representative of UT on the national level. The guy was NEVER called about the AD opening but he would love a shot in the future to explore the position if the job came available. Davis believes Derek Dooley has one season to get it right. And he thinks it's the way it absolutely should be. He called losing To Kentucky unacceptable any way you slice it. The thing I enjoyed most was the effusing love with which Davis spoke of Rocky Top.


Yesterday I was joined by Gordon Whitener who has been in and around major college sports from just about every possible angle for the past quarter century plus. Whitener came up as a young coach under Pat Jones @ Ok State back in the 80's, rising on the staff. After 4 years he went into administration and private business rising all the way to the level CEO and COO of Host Communications. Those are the folks who held the rights to UT, UK, Arizona, Oklahoma State, NCAA National, etc. Gordon is also very close to Jimmy Sexton.


Whitener talked extensively about the hiring process that led to Derek Dooley and how Mike Hamilton fell in love the idea of Dooley upon interviewing him. He said other coaches in the mix included many of the names we've heard. There were 4 other Sexton clients also considered by Dooley rose above the others. How? Same way as Todd Raleigh…He interviewed well…. Classic.


On Hamilton: Whitener kept saying leadership was the missing ingredient during Hammy's tenure and has been a missing component at UT during the past decade with all the presidential fluctuations.


Whitener used Lane Kiffin as an example: ‘Since Lane Kiffin has been @ USC he’s a different person. Because Pat Haden is a tough leader. Kiffin knows he can’t do and say the things he did in Knoxville.’


Whitener tied it into the present state of UT football questioning Dooley's leadership ability as evidenced by the departure of four coaches already coupled with what he's heard through countless contacts in the coaching profession. He painted a picture that is very unflattering of Dooley's program from those in the know around the country.


'To get quality assistant coaches at this point you're going to have to begin with at least three year contracts and you're going to have to pay handsomely'.


On Randy Shannon: 'Great defensive coordinator from his days at Miami and a heck of a recruiter. Also has a reputation as a good person as well. Fine hire.'


Gordon Whitener is not speaking out of turn. Like Charles Davis, he hears things from people he loves on The Hill and beyond and he's very concerned about where this is all leading with Dooley. Gordon exhorted my by saying 'you need to keep at it. Don't back down and don't apologize for taking a stand.' And you know what? He's exactly right. Being here is special. And the right way is worth fighting for.


John Chavis understands how special Tennessee happens to be. The man cried and paused for 13 seconds when he was asked about his departure from Tennessee. Love that guy's passion. Link


What's interesting about the Graham hire and the coordinator hire is that they are (or in DC’s case will be) working on multiyear deals. Meanwhile the holdovers from UT's staff are bristling that they aren't getting their multi-year deals rolled over. Interesting dynamic at work there.



You think Florida could lend UT a guard or two for Saturday? Link


As conference play begins, Tennessee will face a much tougher league this year than in the past couple of years. Check out Mike DeCourcey's conference rankings heading into the weekend. SEC is top heavy but that top is elite in many respects. Not really much middle to the league which means UT will have several opportunities to pick up wins along the way. Link


Ole Miss is no doubt a winnable game now that they are without their leading scorer for the rest of the season. Hate seeing kids, especially guys with really cool first names like this, throw away opportunities because they want to get high. Senseless. Link


B-Ball Lee had a great reply to this question. What do you want to see from UT the rest of the season? What record would you consider successful? His answer. Improvement. Plain and simple.



Tennessee leads Ohio State and Michigan for a db out of Georgia. Link


Stephon Gilmore & Alshon Jeffery. Couple of huge losses for South Carolina. The Cocks will still be in the thick of the SEC East race in 2012 despite the losses.


Ouch. Barry Sanders Jr. chooses Stanford over Ok State. Tough blow. Link



Tim Tebow and Dwight Howard comfort this dying little boy. Those guys have my vote. The Fighting Tebow's have a shot against the Steelers. Book that.



TB

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