FreakNotes: Coaching search expected to wrap up this week

Today we start a new week, one that should bring closure to Tennessee’s football coaching search. Multiple reports suggest that Tennessee is likely to have a new coach in place by the weekend.

And with there, here’s today’s edition of FreakNotes.

• Chances are you’ve likely seen it by now, but if not, be sure to check out the #ComeTogether hype video released by Phillip Fulmer yesterday. If you’ve already seen it, can’t hurt to watch again.
• Speaking of Fulmer, check out this timely photo from the News Sentinel on November 1st, 2008.
• Volquest reported yesterday that Fulmer met with Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and was scheduled to see Mel Tucker, who is the defensive coordinator at Georgia, over the weekend. It’s thought he might also visit with SMU head coach Chad Morris before leaving for New York on Tuesday night for Peyton’s College Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
• Four names to watch according to John Brice: “Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele, Alabama’s rising-star defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt, USC offensive coordinator Tee Martin and Virginia Tech coach Justin Fuente, per sources, are among the candidates to emerge, or re-emerge, in the wake of Fulmer’s ascension.”
• The rock today: “Miles Martin 18“
• Tennessee tight end Ethan Wolf has accepted an invitation to play in the 2018 East-West Shrine Game.
• On the recruiting front, Tennessee commit Trey Dean visited Alabama this weekend. He tweeted, “Had a good Official Visit at The University of Alabama #RollTide“
• Shots fired by Edward Aschoff: “Remember when Alvin Kamara was a backup at Tennssee? Good call, guys.”

On Tennessee Basketball

• Rick Barnes and the basketball Vols improved to 6-1 on the year. The went on the road and defeated Georgia Tech last night, 77-70. [watch the highlights]
• Jeff Borzello said of Tennessee’s basketball team: “Tennessee is one of the most surprising teams in the country — with its lone loss coming by single-digits to Villanova. The Vols enter the power rankings.” The Vols are debut at No. 24 this week.
• Tennessee is ranked No. 23 by Seth Davis.
• On Tennessee’s hot start, Chris Low said: “Am I allowed to step away from college football for a moment? Rick Barnes has Tennessee’s basketball team playing lights out. For a guy his critics claimed was looking for a place to cruise into retirement, he’s building one heck of a program on Rocky Top. #coachingmatters”

Notes from The Nation 12/3 with Chris Low and Austin Price

• Chris Low: In 31 years in the business and never seen anything like it in all of college football.
• The coaching search is in a much better position. Give credit to Beverly Davenport for changing course, because things weren’t going well.
• Fulmer has already spread a wide net out there. He wants a good fit and someone that wants to be here.
• “I think Tennessee will have somebody by Wednesday at the latest, as their head football coach. I think they need to have somebody by Wednesday at the latest.” — Chris Low.
• Fulmer has taken his recruiting test so he can to out on the road.
• Davenport, you can tell she understands this place now more than she did eight months ago.
• No doubt Fulmer will talk to Tee Martin. He’ll make the call and have a conversation. Casey Clausen and other former Vols have said that Tee has earned the right to get a call. That never happened under Currie and it should have. Not saying he gets the job, but he’ll be called.
• Fulmer will do 100% what he feels like is best for Tennessee. He doesn’t care what anyone thinks. He won’t be swayed by fans, media, social media, boosters, etc. If you’re a true Tennessee fan, you have to take heart that you know he’s going to do that.
• Fulmer spent 2.5 hours with Dave Doeren selling him on Tennessee at Currie’s request. Saying he sabotaged anything is short-sighted.
• Fulmer will probably talk to a few people in new York when he’s going to Peyton’s College Football Hall of Fame induction.
• One thing that Fulmer will value is someone that he feels has relationships and connections to recruit and put a staff together in the SEC.
• Bringing in Fulmer is the best thing Tennessee could have done to try to bring everyone together.
• Austin Price on Cade Mays: “Let’s face it, Coach Fulmer took that recruiting test, to make an impact, but for the most part, so he could drive 20 miles down the road and talk to the Mays’ family. Kevin not only played for Phillip, when Phillip was the head coach, Phillip was his position coach. I think there’s a special relationship there. I think he’s gonna go down there and make the Mays’ family say ‘hey, we’re gonna go somewhere else.’” … “It was nailed shut and Phillip Fulmer took a crowbar and cracked it back open.”
• Austin Price: “The right head coach is one thing, but for me, it’s how much money are you giving this potential head coach for his staff. I think getting the right coaches around whoever you hire is as important, if not more important, than hiring the right guy.”
• Chris Low on hiring a staff: “There are a ton of people who either played here or coached here, have deep ties to Tennessee that have done well, who could sell this place. I think those are the people you want to go get.”