Mailbag question: Coach Rod and Tennessee

Posted at 8:00am — 1/14/2010

Mailbag question: Coach Rod and Tennessee

GBMW,

I’m hoping you can shed some light on some things I’ve been hearing. Lately, there’s been a lot of insider talk about RR going to Tennessee. I have mostly been following this thought through a post on MGoBlog started by Magnus, who is a solid and reliable poster. He seems to think there is some legitimacy to this possibility, or at least this is a real possibility, and from what I’ve been told, this story is not limited to that thread. I know it sounds crazy, but we have seen some crazy things happen lately in college football, so I have to admit that I’m a little scared this possibility might be true. With all of the problems Coach Rod has faced since getting here, I can see why he might want to leave.

You guys often seem to have the real scoop on things, and are not afraid to lay it out. Can you confirm this or at least see what additional information there is about this story? If it is not true, can you post a reply to this to quell the rumor? Thanks. Keep up the great work.

As a follow-up, I just heard The Ticket on 97.1 discussing the same thing. Valenti didn’t think there was much too it, but it’s definitely being discussed as a possibility. Just FYI.

-J.D.

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Thanks for the question.

We would not be surprised if Coach Rod was on any short list for the Tennessee job. His southern roots and background would be a perfect fit. At this point everything is conjecture. We are hearing two other high profile coaches as being ahead of Coach Rod in the pecking order.

From everything we have witnessed over the years nothing is impossible, and quite frankly we would not be surprised if Coach Rod’s agent was not one of the first people to call Tennessee, especially with what several people have told us about his agent.

At this point it would surprise us if Coach Rod would leave for Tennessee, but anything is possible in today’s job climate. Right now one would think Tennessee would be looking for a coach that loves Tennessee and views the open job as a place where a coach could stay for along time.

We believe that Michigan fans would likely be worried either way. If Coach Rod were winning they would worry about him bolting on to another opportunity, and if he were losing they would worry about him being fired. At this time, with a record of 8-16 and 3-13 in the Big Ten, we believe Coach Rod will have to win more games before bolting to a big-time school especially with all the negative press that has come his way the past two years starting with how his contract was handled at West Virginia, continuing on with all the talk of traditions at Michigan, and currently “practice gate” and “faction” in the program. We are not really sure Tennessee would see that as being a good move right now. However, this is the university that hired Lane Kiffin.

Written by GBMW Staff

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