Truth & Rumors > NCAAF

NFL coaches turn down Vols job

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Tennessee has gauged the interest of Chicago Bears Coach Lovie Smith and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Coach Jon Gruden to fill the Vols' head coach vacancy, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported, citing unnamed sources. Smith, a former UT assistant, told a university representative he had no interest. Gruden, a former UT graduate assistant, has said publicly he is not considering leaving Tampa.

Tennessean

Lovie Smith, Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images Lovie Smith, Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images
November 17, 2008  09:04 AM ET

Yeah, I couldn't see Lovie taking that job right now.

November 17, 2008  09:18 AM ET

I don't know why they're going after NFL coaches, NO NFL coach is going to want a college job, unless their tenure at their NFL job is coming to a close. Gruden and Smith aren't in danger of anything, so why would they leave.

They don't have to recruit in the NFL and that's a wonderful thing to not have to worry about.

I am a die hard Vols fan, but if I had an NFL coaching job, I wouldn't leave to coach them either.

November 17, 2008  09:30 AM ET

The Tennessean has seemed anti-UT lately.

November 17, 2008  10:49 AM ET
QUOTE(#2):

I don't know why they're going after NFL coaches, NO NFL coach is going to want a college job, unless their tenure at their NFL job is coming to a close. Gruden and Smith aren't in danger of anything, so why would they leave. They don't have to recruit in the NFL and that's a wonderful thing to not have to worry about. I am a die hard Vols fan, but if I had an NFL coaching job, I wouldn't leave to coach them either.

I beg to differ on two accounts. One, LOTS of coaches would LOVE to be in college towns. I am not a U of T fan but they've got a huge program a big following and an enormous stadium. If they're offering the same kind of money as they're gettin' in the pros (realistic expectation with THIS position), then why wouldn't they take less stress at the same pay in a tranquil college town? Second, I live near Chicago and let me tell you people want his arse gone. I personally don't think he's all that good of a coach, nice guy sure, but not the kind of coach that gets the most out of his players. He's a BUDDY not a coach.

November 17, 2008  12:00 PM ET

I'm confused. I agree with the sediment here that no quality, successful NFL coach would leave his position to take a college job UNLESS, they are an alumnus. Does Gruden or Smith have a connection to UT? If not, then what more than sheer arrogance is prompting them to even ask these NFL coaches? I mean. . .jeez. . .the next rumors will be that UT offered the job to Bill Cower, Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin. Why not? Heck, why not offer it to Barrack Obama? Maybe he'd rather be UT's coach rather than President of the United States.

There is a quiet concern for there being a lack of minority head coaches in college football. I hope that UT is free to hire the most qualified person regardless of race. That is only fair.

November 17, 2008  12:05 PM ET
QUOTE(#5):

I'm confused. I agree with the sediment here that no quality, successful NFL coach would leave his position to take a college job UNLESS, they are an alumnus. Does Gruden or Smith have a connection to UT? If not, then what more than sheer arrogance is prompting them to even ask these NFL coaches? I mean. . .jeez. . .the next rumors will be that UT offered the job to Bill Cower, Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin. Why not? Heck, why not offer it to Barrack Obama? Maybe he'd rather be UT's coach rather than President of the United States. There is a quiet concern for there being a lack of minority head coaches in college football. I hope that UT is free to hire the most qualified person regardless of race. That is only fair.

They wanted offer it to Obama but he couldnt provide a valid Birth Certificte and UT wants to see that before they hire their coach.

November 17, 2008  01:16 PM ET
QUOTE(#6):

They wanted offer it to Obama but he couldnt provide a valid Birth Certificte and UT wants to see that before they hire their coach.

Just a typical RedNeck....

November 17, 2008  01:56 PM ET
QUOTE(#6):

They wanted offer it to Obama but he couldnt provide a valid Birth Certificte and UT wants to see that before they hire their coach.

Just leave it alone. Your ignorance is showing. Blaringly.

November 17, 2008  02:16 PM ET
QUOTE(#6):

They wanted offer it to Obama but he couldnt provide a valid Birth Certificte and UT wants to see that before they hire their coach.

Well as long he didn't lie on his resume (cough:: coach O'Leary ::cough) he should be OK

November 17, 2008  03:00 PM ET

PETE CARROLL

November 17, 2008  03:15 PM ET

Great decision for them.Grass is not always greener on the other side of the fence.

November 17, 2008  03:40 PM ET

Wonder why Muschamp's name hasn't been thrown out there yet? Figured he would leave after one year at the 40 acres (aka Gene Chizik)...

November 17, 2008  03:41 PM ET
QUOTE(#10):

PETE CARROLL

ROFL ... he is always on everyones list ... :)

November 17, 2008  05:24 PM ET

If Lovie Smith continues to have Bob Babich as the Bears defensive coordinator, then may be both of them should leave for UT.

Babich has no business being a defensive coordinator in the NFL. He's way over his head.

November 17, 2008  05:53 PM ET

i wish lovie would take the UT so the bears could get a coach with a brain.

November 17, 2008  06:25 PM ET

Mortensen's source was probably Brett Favre...

November 17, 2008  06:28 PM ET

Get out Smith. Take your people you stink for the Bears. And move out of Chicago. Because you have embarrassed the fans of Chicago.

Comment #18 has been removed
November 17, 2008  09:20 PM ET
QUOTE(#6):

They wanted offer it to Obama but he couldnt provide a valid Birth Certificte and UT wants to see that before they hire their coach.

Funny, scary, and still... unknown.

 
November 17, 2008  09:21 PM ET
QUOTE(#5):

I'm confused. I agree with the sediment here that no quality, successful NFL coach would leave his position to take a college job UNLESS, they are an alumnus. Does Gruden or Smith have a connection to UT? If not, then what more than sheer arrogance is prompting them to even ask these NFL coaches? I mean. . .jeez. . .the next rumors will be that UT offered the job to Bill Cower, Bill Belichick and Tom Coughlin. Why not? Heck, why not offer it to Barrack Obama? Maybe he'd rather be UT's coach rather than President of the United States. There is a quiet concern for there being a lack of minority head coaches in college football. I hope that UT is free to hire the most qualified person regardless of race. That is only fair.

Perhaps you should actually read the article. They both have connections.

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