South Carolina. SEC Media Days. Jon Gruden

Is there any other topic of conversation right now among Vol fans besides Jon Gruden?

Do the Vols still have a game on Saturday against the villain Steve “you can’t spell Citrus without U-T” Spurrier and his South Carolina Gamecocks?

Is today really SEC Basketball Media Days in Hoover, Alabama where Vols basketball coach Cuonzo Martin will meet with the media this afternoon?

Did Jeronne Maymon suffer a setback yesterday from his offseason his knee surgery?

Apparently nothing else matters besides Jon Gruden, so let’s talk about it.

In case you missed it yesterday (which I sincerely doubt) the rumors of Jon Gruden and Tennessee reached a fever pitch. We’ve had “Official Jon Gruden threads” on VolNation dating back to mid-September, but yesterday it was posted in the forums that an agreement has been reached.

How could an agreement be in place when Tennessee already has a coach?

That’s a great question and I don’t have the answer.

Are any of the rumors true?

I suppose that depends on which of the seemingly thousands of rumors you are referencing, but my answer to them all is: “I don’t know.”

Keep in mind, things that are posted on the message board don’t reflect news that VolNation is “reporting”.

So you can stop sending me emails and texts (the one’s asking about Gruden) because I don’t know. I do, however, still welcome all emails and texts on any other subject.

I will pass along that Jimmy Hyams, who tends to be very conservative with his reporting, said this about Gruden yesterday afternoon on Sports Talk.

“I do believe that Jon Gruden has talked to some coaches in an effort to put together his staff. The question is: is he doing that for the collegiate level or the NFL level? But I do believe that he has talked to some coaches with the intent to put together a staff to get back into coaching, in spite what he is making at Monday Night Football.”

 

For the record, I think it’s unlikely that Derek Dooley returns as Tennessee’s coach next season. Anyone paying attention can see that. I also believe there is too much smoke to dismiss the idea that contact has been made with Gruden’s camp and some level of mutual interest exists.

But beyond that, consider me a skeptic. It’s not that I doubt the validity of the various reports that have surfaced, I’m just too old and easily disappointed to count chickens before they are hatched. Call me after the press conference and I’ll gladly sing Rocky Top with you, help you taunt Bama fans, and watch old highlights of the Tampa Bay Bucs Super Bowl season until the sun comes up.

Until then, I’m looking forward to Saturday’s matchup against South Carolina.

Go Vols!