Major news Vol fans!
My source has been given notice that UT has decided to form a smaller group of advisers to handle the coaching search. I can't confirm who is in/out but I do know certainly that my source will not be involved. This suggests depending on who it is, that it will be more difficult to find out what is happening behind the scenes.
There are some things I must leave out due to confidentiality that just can't be said. But what is important enough is what I can say after hearing conversations the past hour what went down this evening
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Jon Gruden and UT did not talk contract. That is in the past. JG knows the contract and this will not change.....
BOOM!So JG was offered and he really did go over the details.....I can confirm by hearing reports from my source and has been discussed with others(friends, colleagues of UT via phone) that Gruden has worries.....
He is very uneasy at this time knowing he will have to deal with recruiting, NCAA regulations, and fears for what damage to his name, university and his family it may cause if there is any mistake.... Remember JG has not forwarded or completed any compliance nor recruiting license under NCAA regulations /.... understanding this correctly. Apparently this is a major obstacle for UT......
What is certain and is a fact that Cindy (Jon Gruden's wife and heavy fan of UT football/basketball) that she is comforting JG that this should not interfere in his desire to coach UT.... She is very adamant that she would love for the family to be apart of UT football..
My opinion only however - is when talking to some ppl the past 30 mins is that Gruden is getting cold feet to what actually details as being a coach in the NCAA and he is getting mixed views via family and friends / Heard talks about ''I'm sure NFL teams are in his ear'' and folks this is what might be the hurdle that keeps JG from UT
NEXT----
There was talk that UT staff have been forced by admin and close partners that they need to have a fall back plan if this does not go get done soon. And the majority of this plan falls with Cincinnati Bear-Cats HC Butch Jones..... I asked my source and others about what this means. I get a strong feeling if JG does not happen, then UT AD Hart will turn to Butch Jones.
I can squash some rumors. Heard from source talking to his partners of UT that there has been ZERO discussion with any other coach other than JG.
I know at this time that some members that attended at the meeting are still there and will not return until tomorrow. Why? I don't know. Is it Haslam? possibly. Source unavailable to comment but best guess is that they will try to talk to JG in the morning if true.
So it really might be over on Thursday. it's up to JG but this meeting it seems to have gone down based on what UT has done the past 2 weeks to get JG to come to UT. They have done everything plus wait. And now they are making the late push to convince him to come to UT. Will it work? we might find out early in the morning.
One thing for sure is that UT really has done a great job. My source told me that if JG doesn't come to UT then he either is afraid to coach NCAA, had zero interest in coaching anywhere, or he has a plan with his agent to get into the NFL quickly.....
my guess is that he is getting cold feet. That is why Cindy is key!