Ben Howland, Tubby Smith approached Tennessee today; UT contacted White, Tyndall

quote:

---

-Former UCLA coach Ben Howland and Texas Tech coach Tubby Smith contacted Tennessee today to let them know of their interest in the Tennessee opening. There are some concerns with both on the UT end, but Tennessee seems to be more interested in Howland than Smith at this point in time. If Howland is able to bring Korey McCray (currently at LSU) he would become much more attractive, as the ability to recruit Atlanta is very important to Tennessee.

-Both Louisiana Tech's Mike White and Southern Miss's Donnie Tyndall have been contacted by Tennessee. Both indicated they would have interest in the job. Neither situation has progressed to an interview or offer.

-Xavier coach Chris Mack received an 8 year/$16M offer from Tennessee in 2011, but declined the offer due to possible NCAA sanctions related to Bruce Pearl. Tennessee could have interest again this go around, and Mack is very interested in Tennessee this time in part because Xavier also recently had some changes at the administrative level that concern him. Not clear if any official contact has been made yet.

-Tennessee has not made a call to Gregg Marshall today. Marshall would command $2.5 million at the very least and there's some doubt Tennessee would be willing to go that high. $2 million+ could be in play for Mick Cronin at Cincinnati, Chris Mack at Xavier or Howland, but anyone else would likely be paid between $1 and $2 million.

---