Vol Report Cliff Notes:
11/27/12:
someone close to the UT informed them about 2 hours ago that Gruden and ESPN finalized an agreement.... we are extremely close in acquiring a future star as head coach for the Tennessee Volunteers football team
11/28/12:
Every one knows that UT offered the deal. IT HAPPENED. UT and JG met face to face on multiple occasions. His agent met with UT admin and staff approx for 10 hours. It happened... I was told clear cut and I know this to be FACTUAL and REAL that Jon Gruden informed UT on Monday that he was still mingling over his desire to coach UT
Either way. Get ready. Cause tonight it's happening
So don't tell me that I am wrong. Respect the source and deal with it
Sorry but I haven't been wrong..... I warned you 2 days ago that UT released access and boom I was right on. Credit to my source
In approx 2 hrs from now UT and JG will be meeting with 2nd contract in hand to offer
The questions is why did Gruden cancel the meeting? Did Hart say he wasn't going to come with a contract and just talk? Probably why my sources and others were told to get on a plane and get behind Hart
Can confirm UT has landed and will be meeting with Gruden shortly. I'm telling you all that this is going to be a gigantic night for UT. I told you things are going to get released. Hart is doing a fantastic job with UT admin
I feel ESPN and NBC are the ones getting on this rumor and will run with it tomorrow morning
11/29/12:
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 JonesI 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
So it really might be over on Thursday
Sometime this week (however I can't confirm it's just a strong possibility speaking to others) that UT and JG will meet once more. Quite possibly in the New York area where JG will be broadcasting MNF
UT is all in for JG and we are just going to wait. Like i reported yesterday UT has been given Butch Jones from many support staff and admin. However this won't happen until JG is completely out of the picture
My source made it known and it has been confirmed by other people close to myself and my family that UT has been contacted by Jon Gruden this evening...***boom redacted***So there it is. It's what we have been waiting for. I expect this is the moment that will bring a ton of reports beginning tonight or tomorrow morning!
11/30/12:
***boom redacted*** there we have it....According to Jimmy Hyams of WNML radio in Knoxville, Gruden, while he appreciated the opportunity, is OUT as a candidate for the Vols coaching job. Gruden reportedly informed UT officials of his decision after phone conversations but apparently no face-to-face meetings took place over the past week
The part that JG and UT spoke is the only part that is really true
I can also confirm that as I reported this earlier that UT admin were having conversations with majority of UT staffers regarding a back-up plan. That plan is Butch Jones. So I strongly expect you to hear UT working on communicating with BJ about UT open coaching position
There are other Orange that I have been talking about the recent developments, including former Vol players Morley, Hefney who all call Canada home
Sometimes it's hard for me to control what reports can be said and done. This is a difficult time to really get anything straight. The facts are rumors and this is how it begins....... What I have done and said were FACTUAL EVENTS!
12/03/12:
It's back.... my source earlier in the evening told me that JG and UT spoke again. UT staff and they are 2 very big and important ones spoke to JG on Saturday and UT themselves today. I can assure you this happened.... Talking to others they have heard the same thing and believe this is going down just like Saban to Alabama
I can also tell you that Jimbo Fisher and UT spoke but the committee were higher on Butch Jones.... If JG deals fall through then it's Jones leading the way
the search is over it seems unless some drastic changes. UT has made a decision to go after a certain coach and they are planning on leaving tonight so check flight tracker. I know personally 2 people who have left and they both have said Jon Gruden is still a possibility but they are not waiting anymore
But tonight is the night it seems that UT will be making there big move! Tonight they are expected to leave and either wait for Gruden or make this hire
It's all going down
Gruden could very well be on his way to UT
But we need to prepare for UT other options. It's been clear that Butch Jones was on the list but he is going to colorado which means UT spent more time working on Gruden this past week
UT committee meeting with Mike Gundy right now.... Source confirms UT will talk to Jon Gruden tomorrow morning. Will make decision either late evening or next day.... Talking to some other people. They are suggesting UT prominent admin spoke with Gundy often last week. Really changed UT game plan from going away from Butch Jones(now in Colorado). Seems like it's going to be a done deal fellas
12/04/12:
All I can say at this moment is that JG and UT spoke again. I can also confirm you that Butch Jones was #1 on the list after. What happened? I don't know.....I can tell you that UT have been forced by other admin to work a deal with other coaches. They don't want to wait for JG however the higher powers are doing all they can to get JG to UT.
12/05/12:
Talking to my source I can confirm that UT has planned one more contact opportunity to get JG. Was also told by somebody he believes they will keep trying and this could even go on for another 2-3 weeks
UT and Butch Jones were very close however UT passed. No confirmation why or when
It really does seem that UT is just waiting for JG
wasn't going to mention but a few UT admin are meeting with Charlie Strong. I also heard that Butch Davis was spoken to this morning. It does look like UT are going to make sure they don't get left out
My source told me that he and other UT admin were on the phone planning now to gather a large group to meet to assemble a plan to close the Gruden deal. My source has also told me that UT held a private meeting discussing the fact they can't settle for a coach. Many believe now that UT will be viewed as a place where they hired coach D because coaches A,B,C weren't available. That is not the way to attach to an already proud place
However ***BOOM redacted*** Gruden and UT is back. I will update as soon as it begins to roll
Private meeting conference call being held now..... just in. I know cause my source is on it. No idea what is being talked about. My friend also is aware of this but doesn't know. We are waiting word what it's about