^ I heard about this about an hour ago....UC can pony up a little more money they may be able to keep him. However, I think UT and their $2 mil + offer may just coax him into the leave.

^ I heard about this about an hour ago....UC can pony up a little more money they may be able to keep him. However, I think UT and their $2 mil + offer may just coax him into the leave.

Some folks in KNoxville are saying BK's people approached them and are lobbying for the job...

After checking with some UT "insiders" it sounds like Kiffin is now the top priority with Leech and Kelly still in the running. Kiffin is interviewing with Clemson soon...

Lane Kiffin is two years removed from college coaching. He is a perfect fit for a program like Tennessee. The Vol fans love recruiting 5-star talent and Kiffin is a crackerjack recruiter, once named one of the top recruiters in the country while at USC. I feel certain that the same folks who are buying out Phil Fulmer spoke to a coach of the caliber of Lane Kiffin even before the ax came down on Phil Fulmer. Kiffin has been unemployed since September, I believe.

 

Let's face it, Al Davis did him a favor, especially if he gets a job like Clemson or Tennessee. The Jacksonville Jaguars (2000) has been his only job east of the Mississippi River. His father is an assistant coach at Tampa Bay.

 

I have thought Jon Gruden would be a strong prospect with him formerly being a graduate assistant at Tennessee and marrying a former UT cheerleader. However, the fact he makes 4.7 million a year in Tampa might be a stumbling block, although Jon Gruden has won a Super Bowl victory on his resume, and Nick Saban makes similarly obscene money at Alabama.

I see Cowher on top of their list (I don't know if he feels the same way)...with the boosters, Mike Leach is certainly within reach, and he would be a recruiting nightmare, as well as the fans loving the high octane offense.

 

I have always felt that Cowher will end up back in the NFL at Carolina, where I believe he is from.

He went to college in Raleigh...he resides there now....I don't see the Carolina job opening up anytime soon...Knoxville isn't very far at all.

Lane Kiffin interviewed for the Clemson job this week. Don't be shocked if he gets it.

I hope BK stays in Cincy, I know he won't end his career with the Bearcats, but a few more seasons, and he would really set the program up for years to come. If it's between Clemson and UT, I would think most would take the Vols job, so I wish Kiffin the best, and Clemson the worst.

I like all 3 programs, and feel that BK's work at UC isn't done, he can get them to be a perennial favorite in the Big East, especially if they comply with all his demands (Bubble, new weight room, etc...)...

I like all 3 programs, and feel that BK's work at UC isn't done, he can get them to be a perennial favorite in the Big East, especially if they comply with all his demands (Bubble, new weight room, etc...)...

 

Weight room is brand new, and has been a big factor in landing quite a bit of talent since it opened.

 

The plans for the practice fields/bubble were in the coaching offices this week, and things are in motion to have it complete by this time next year like BKs contract requires.

 

The biggest problem is Nancy has UC in a TON of debt, and everything has to be paid for by private donations that UC is having a hard time getting finalized. If BK leaves, it's going to be very tough for UC to find a guy to match what he has brought to the table...

I knew about the weight rooms, and also had heard if UC doesn't get the bubble done bu the end of next season, BK's buyout gets cut in half. I have read a bit about UC's financial struggles...I hope they can lean on some basketball boosters to elevate the athletic program as a whole.

I personally can't see a very midwestern Brian Kelly fitting well at a very southern University of Tennessee.

 

I have thought he is an outstanding coach since I saw his Central Michigan team come into Commonwealth Stadium and put on an offensive clinic with Kentucky barely hanging on for the victory.

I personally can't see a very midwestern Brian Kelly fitting well at a very southern University of Tennessee.

 

I have thought he is an outstanding coach since I saw his Central Michigan team come into Commonwealth Stadium and put on an offensive clinic with Kentucky barely hanging on for the victory.

He's a phenomenal coach, but I agree on him not fitting well at UT. Although the midwest label doesn't really fit outside of his recruiting history. He a liberal from Boston that worked the Gary Hart campaign. His ties are a double whammy in SEC country...

So GT, what do you think the chances of Kelly getting the job are?

Didn't Mike Brown nix a proposed UC/Bengals bubble? Their are HS teams with bubbles in this country, what a complete joke.