Several times it had been said that Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano would be the fallback option for Tennessee should they miss out on several of their top targets for head coach. And now it looks as though that situation is playing out.
As first reported by Dan Wolken of USA Today, Tennessee is reportedly close to finalizing a deal with Schiano to be the next head football coach at Tennessee. Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports and John Brice of Gridiron Now also confirmed the reports.
I’m told there is extensive talks between #Tennessee & Greg Schiano about making him the Vols new HC, per source. Some details about potential transition are also being discussed (re: Urban Meyer wants Schiano part of the BigTen Title Game)
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) November 26, 2017
Am told right now that, after others said no, the Greg Schiano deal to become UT’s coach is “wrapping up” & “background has been vetted.” Deal is essentially done. Campbell buyout, Mullen awaiting Florida left Currie here.
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) November 26, 2017
To reiterate, multiple UTAD employees have told me this was a last-case/worst-case scenario. Can’t repeat what employees are telling me, but NEVER have gotten this many texts of vaporized morale. All-time low on heels of all-time worst season. https://t.co/XY2yaWRRcM
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) November 26, 2017
. @OSUCoachMeyer didn’t say either way on Big10 call if Schiano has to finish season, or @ least coming week, with Buckeyes. But tons of chatter that “Schiano will be expected to stay through the (Big10) Championship.”
— John Brice (@JohnDBrice1) November 26, 2017
Schiano has served as the defensive coordinator with Ohio State since 2016. He’s been the head coach of Rutgers in college and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFL. He had success as the Rutgers head coach but failed as an NFL head coach, going just 11-21 in two seasons with Tampa Bay.
But with Schiano, most of the headlines around him aren’t about his ability as a head coach.
According to the Washington Post back in 2016, Schiano was one of the coaches who allegedly knew of the abuse Jerry Sandusky was doing at Penn State. According to court documents, Penn State assistant Mike McQueary stated Schiano “had come into his office white as a ghost and said he just saw Jerry doing something to a boy in the shower. And that’s it. That’s all he ever told me.”
Schiano was never charged with anything and has denied that he knew anything.
Schiano was an assistant with Penn State from 1990 to 1995. He was a graduate assistant in 1990 and the defensive backs coach from 1991-95.
