Tennessee’s search for a head coach seems to be winding down, and now a report has surfaced claiming that Mike Leach, the head coach at Washington State, may be the front runner for the job.
According to a report from Football Scoop, Leach “seems to have a very good shot at being offered the position.” Leach has led Washington State to three consecutive seasons of bowl eligibility and has made a bowl game four times in his six seasons with the Cougars. Washington State failed to make a bowl game for seven consecutive years before Leach took over, and he got them to a bowl game in his second season.
“The expectation from those we’ve spoken with is that Leach would accept the position if offered,” states the article. It also goes on to say that Washington State officials “have had internal discussions about their plans should Leach move on” and claims that if Leach doesn’t end up at Tennessee, he “could be wind up being a target at other SEC schools as well.”
Leach has been the head coach at both Washington State and Texas Tech. He compiled an 84-43 record at Texas Tech and has taken Washington State from a 3-9 record in his first and third seasons to consistently winning eight or nine games a season.
The article also reports that Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen “headed out recently to meet with John Currie.” The article also claims that it was unclear if the meeting was funded by Tennessee or Jimmy Sexton, Dan Mullen’s agent.
Football Scoop also maintains that Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano is a fallback option that Currie feels comfortable with.
The rumors, speculation, and reports all seem to indicate that Tennessee will announce their next head coach in the coming 24-48 hours. We’ll have updates as they happen, and we’ll be live on the scene when an announcement and introductory press conference is made.
One Response
I would have hired this guy the first time UT considered him and we wouldn’t have suffered our worst season in over 100 years. Geez–I’m so sick of the incompetence of UT.