Mike Leach departing Pullman for Knoxville, Tenn., seemed entirely possible Thursday night. But on Friday morning, Tennessee’s complicated search for a new coach took another turn, one that most likely ensures Leach is staying with Washington State.
Tennessee athletic director John Currie has reportedly been fired by the school, just a day after he was said to have met with Leach in California to discuss the Volunteers’ coaching vacancy. ESPN reports that Currie was instructed not to broker a deal with Leach or any other candidates before returning to campus.
Multiple reports surfaced Thursday night linking Leach to the job, and it appeared that Currie and the Volunteers had set their sights on prying him away from the Cougars.