The Tennessee Volunteers are still looking for a head coach to replace the fired Butch Jones after going through the hiring - then un-hiring - fiasco with Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano and being turned down by a number of other candidates. Here are all the latest news & rumors on Tennessee's coaching search:
Dave Doeren staying at NC State
After being turned down by Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy and Purdue's Jeff Brohm, the Vols turned their attention to NC State's Dave Doeren - but he has also turned down the job, according to Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel.
Source: Dave Doeren is staying at NC State.
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 30, 2017
Doeren is 33-30 in five seasons with the Wolfpack, posting a winning record each of the last four seasons. However, this year was the first time he led NC State to a winning record in ACC play (6-2).
Vols to talk to Kevin Sumlin
The Vols are now targeting former Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin, according to ESPN.
Come on down, Kevin Sumlin. With Dave Doeren staying at NC State, Tennessee plans to talk to Sumlin, sources tell ESPN. https://t.co/BF5bZEwaKB pic.twitter.com/brbVlOQ4MD
— Mark Schlabach (@Mark_Schlabach) November 30, 2017
Sumlin finished 51-26 at Texas A&M and was 25-23 in SEC play. Texas A&M went 8-5 in each of the previous three seasons before going 7-5 this year (they could reach 8-5 for a fourth consecutive year with a bowl win), and their inability to win more than that is why the Aggies fired him.
Who else could Tennessee target?
If Sumlin isn't interested, Tennessee will go after SMU head coach Chad Morris and former Vols quarterback and current USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin, according to Sports Illustrated's Bruce Feldman.
It’s been reported that Morris had interviewed with Tennessee on Tuesday, but a source tells SI that is inaccurate. The 48-year-old Texan did a terrific job as Clemson’s offensive coordinator helping Dabo Swinney turn the Tigers’ program into what it is now and has spent three seasons rebuilding SMU.
Martin, who we’ve been told is in play for this job, now has a legit shot at it. Martin has coached in the SEC as an assistant at Kentucky. He’s a former Tennessee star who quarterbacked the Vols to a national title two decades ago and is regarded as a very good recruiter.
Morris is 14-22 in three years at SMU, taking them from a 2-10 mark in his first year to 7-5 this season. Martin has been on USC's coaching staff since 2012.
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Les Miles "extremely interested" in Vols job
While the Vols have yet to consider him as a candidate, former LSU head coach Les Miles is "extremely interested" in the job, according to Knox County, TN mayoral candidate Glenn Jacobs - who is also WWE wrestler Kane.
Good friend who works with @CoachLesMiles just told me that Les is extremely interested in UT position. He'd look great in Orange. #CallLes
— Glenn Jacobs (@GlennJacobsTN) November 30, 2017
While Miles' tenure had run its course at LSU, there's no denying how successful he was during his time in Baton Rouge. He went 114-34 in 11 years, including a national championship and two SEC titles. There may be some reservations about pursuing him given LSU's offensive struggles over the last few years, but he's a proven coach who has expressed a great desire to get back to a Power 5 program.
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