@EarlVolFan glad you posted this information. Several thoughts.
First it's refreshing that the university went out and hired one of the best AD's in the country. AD White appears to have an incredible vision for UT athletics. It's also exciting to have someone who is not paralyzed, to the point of inaction, on other sports because of the baggage of football.
I understand football is important. However, other sports have atrophied while we wait for football to turn the proverbial corner.
That paradigm has changed...thankfully.
I knew we had a game changer his first month on the job. Early in his tenure, I was struct by his fund raising initiative. AD White categorized it as "The All in Fund." The first person to write a check to the fund was AD White....$250,000.00. He didn't go to UT. He had been on the job less than a month. But he was all in.
In a different forum someone used analytics to demonstrate Tennessee would win the best SEC athletics program for 21/22 if that award was still given. Clearly winning breeds winning. That would be the first time we finished first in many years.
I like the fact his contract is structured with incentives to win...now. Not five years from now...but now. AD White appears to fully understand and embrace the challenge. I love the commercial for Fisher Investments. They have structured fees for their brokers. Fisher Brokers are rewarded only when their clients do well. AD White gets it a d is doing well.
I love the fact he has made necessary strategic changes. Hired a former Lady Vol Golfer to lead our Lady Vol Golf Program. Without looking it up (Coach Canto) I think. She rewarded his decision in the last few weeks by signing three graduate transfers and a freshman that will make immediate impacts.
Last week, he made a fantastic hire for a new head coach to lead our combined track and field and cross country programs. Even with our out- going Coach finishing 3rd at the NCAA Men's National Championships and our Women finishing third in the SEC Indoor Championships. The message was we are a National Program who should be focused on winning National Championships not finishing third and applauding.
Buckle up everyone this is going to be a fun ride.