Tennessee athletics director John Currie showed his cat-like media reflexes Sunday afternoon, artfully dodging a direct question about Jon Gruden from a questioner at the press conference officially announcing UT coach Butch Jones’ firing.
But after hemming and hawing his way around several questions, dodging a few others and giving some good, insightful answers on other topics regarding the difficult 2017 Tennessee football season and offering a glimpse at the days ahead, Currie offered this bottom line:
“We’re standing here right now because we haven’t won enough,” said UT’s athletics director, who hasn’t been on the job even a year himself.
As the 4-6, 0-6 Vols begin their search to find Jones’ successor, that succinct response best captures Sunday’s press conference. Of nuts-and-bolts note from the short session:
- Despite all the message board and social media speculation, the tabloid-type comments that followed departed Vol For Life coordinator Antone Davis’ exit from Tennessee and the rumors around offensive lineman Brett Kendrick’s concussion, Jones was not let go with cause. Therefore, UT will be responsible for the buyouts of the head coach and any staff members who aren’t retained or find other jobs.
- According to Currie, that cost for Jones will be “somewhere in the $8.5 million range” and for the rest of the staff, “altogether in the $13 million range.” He said that’s a decision he “doesn’t take lightly,” but one he ultimately made.
- As far as timing, when asked when he came to the realization that Jones needed to be fired today, Currie answered: “Really late last night, it was evident this was the direction we needed to go.” Reading between the lines here, it sounded like Currie’s decision that Jones didn’t need to coach UT in 2018 was made a while back; but he was more referring the decision to fire him now.
- Currie made clear up front in the press conference that finding Tennessee’s next head football coach would be his “sole focus” and he’d lean on his internal team. When pressed about whether he’d hire a search firm, he reiterated twice, “not at this time.”
- He also clarified that the media had better get their questions in Sunday because he won’t comment on the search until he’s announcing a new head coach. He did not give a timeline for a decision, only noting there would be some consideration given to the early signing period.
- On his decision to name Brady Hoke as the interim: “Brady Hoke is a three-time coach of the year in three conferences. It was a very appropriate choice.”
As far as some analysis from the presser, Currie handled himself fairly well. Though he doesn’t appear to be at his best in front of the media, he doesn’t seem fazed at the enormity of hiring a coach at a place like Tennessee. The final judgment will be made upon announcement of Jones’ successor.
It’s no secret that Tennessee hasn’t been in the best financial shape in recent years thanks to the failings of former athletics director Mike Hamilton and the failed hirings and contract structure of football coaches [UT is looking for its fifth coach in 11 years, after all]. But Currie didn’t expect that money would be an issue.
“We can always use some more around here, but we know we have the resources to select the next leader of our football program,” he said. When asked about the pressure he should feel and his reputation being tied to the coaching hire he makes, Currie said, “I understand what’s at stake.”
And, later, he added, “My responsibility is to conduct the process as efficiently and effectively as possible.”
None of the media asked about Currie’s team and who’d be on it when he consulted decisions on the next coach. He did call former UT coach Phillip Fulmer — who is currently serving as an ambassador for the athletic department — an “extraordinary resources” and noted that he called Coach Fulmer this morning after firing Jones because he wanted to be aware of the situation.
One of Fulmer’s best teams — the 1997 SEC champions — will be honored at this week’s LSU game, and Currie spoke of several former players being supportive of the current team and their predicament while still noting that this year’s Vols can look those good ol’ days as a goal.
“Again, it should remind us of what it looks like and what it’s supposed to look like,” Currie said of honoring the ’97 team.
There were other topics discussed, too. But Currie deflected any negativity from the Jones regime. When asked about Davis, he said he wished the former VFL coordinator the best of luck but that report had “nothing to do with this decision.”
Listen: It’s not Currie’s place to lend any credence to the rumors and speculation that are out there. The Orlando Sentinel reported today that Jones called commitment Tanner Ingle and told him to “find a place to go, quickly.” Former Vol receiver and current radio personality Jayson Swain was told Jones has been making the call circuit to others as well.
If that’s true, it would be a disappointing decision for Jones, and it could negate his buyout if it’s in his contract that he won’t have any communication with recruits following his ouster. But when pressed on that issue at Sunday’s conference, Currie shrugged it off.
“I find that kind of stuff — speculative stuff — silly,” Currie said. “I trust Butch Jones and his character.”
Finally, when asked about Gruden, Currie said he’s going to remain silent during the duration of the search, so as to not “add to the misinformation” that will obviously be — and has already been — perpetuated across message boards, Twitter and in several reports.
This is the nature of Currie’s job, and though he’s obviously very uncomfortable in press conference environments, he’s going to be confident in whatever choice he’s making, and he’s not going to bat an eye or let public perception influence the decision he ultimately makes. After firing baseball coach Dave Serrano, a lot of names were thrown around, and UT ultimately wound up with Arkansas assistant Tony Vitello. The jury is obviously still out on Vitello, who hasn’t coached a single game, but he just signed the No. 8 recruiting class in the country. Will that translate onto the field? Who knows?
What Currie needs to realize — and what we all have to hope he does — is Tennessee football is a different animal. We can’t [and shouldn’t] have to go bargain-basement hunting or be looking for a rare baseball card in a field full of beat-up tobacco tins. We can get the best, and we should demand the best. Currie needs to be shopping at the high-end section of the coaching tree.
“None of us want to be in this position, but we are in this position, and now we move forward,” Currie said.
His decision may just be the biggest in the history of the program.
