re: Gary Parrish: Tennessee closing in on Louisiana Tech coach Mike White

Lot's of action on twitter. I think White's our coach. It's not just reporters tweeting "I hear rumblings about White" but rather lots of articles are going up on it. Articles take time to write and either the AD or White's agent has leaked this to everyone at once. Of course, UTAD also puts out disinformation on things like this but White fits exactly what Hart described days ago when CCM left and Hart revealed what he was looking for in a coach.

Also several sources say we've been talking to White since Thursday. I think the deal got signed this evening and we'll get an announcement Monday but it may leak out faster despite the holiday.

White is one of the guys I wanted if Bama fired Grant... He would be an excellent hire for UT...

Another thing about White (and Hubbs says we've been in contact with White since Thursday)...

Throughout this search there has been article after article on VQ about how UT needs an energetic/showman type that played an energetic style of basketball. They've been pounding that drum for days even referencing our history with Mears and Pearl. People that never got a chance to see Mears and/or who never read up on him don't know that Coach Mears' showmanship, salemanship, and overall craziness would make Pearl look as stoic as Cuonzo Martin. Pearl painted his chest orange and yelled with the student section but Ray Mears? Ray Mears had local celebs wrestling live bears at halftime and players on unicycles. So yes, it's safe to say Tennessee fans love a high energy coach who puts on a good show.

AD Dave Hart said this of the coaching search when it started:

quote:

---

"You look for somebody that can recruit," Hart said. "Our lifeblood is recruiting in all of our sports. When you go into a process like this, you want to be sure that the person you're hiring is an outstanding recruiter. "You also want a person that brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Transitions aren't easy, regardless of the circumstances that may have brought you into a transition. They're difficult. You want somebody with knowledge of the game and you want somebody that can attract a very high-quality staff."

---

This all seems to point to guy like White even above the 'bigger' names. He very much looks like the guy that fits the description that keeps getting floated by the AD and various sources.

quote:

---

I go to Tech. I (and the entire fan base) will be crying ourselves to sleep if he leaves, which should tell you all you need to about how good of a coach he is. Our attendance has gone up, we've gotten drastically better every year, etc blah blah. I'm hoping this is all smoke. I think he's an Ole Miss alum, which is who everyone was actually worried about him leaving for in a few years. This just sucks.

---

That does say quite a lot about him. Obviously I hope we can get him but I can definitely sympathize with losing a beloved coach. I don't know if he's our guy or not but he sounds like a perfect fit both for our fan base and for our program.

Tennessee is the kind of place that is within 4hrs or less of several major cities and talent pools - Charlotte, Atlanta, Cinci, Nashville, Louisville and others are all ~4hrs or less. We could be turned into a monster of a program with the right coach and recruiter and White sounds like he's young enough and ambitious enough to take on building up the program. Combine that with the facilities and fan base and it makes for a situation where the sky's the limit for a talented coach set on leaving a mark. I hope whoever we hire is that guy because there are just so many inbuilt advantages that there's no reason UT basketball hasn't reached the level it should be given all that.

I will say something popped up on twitter that you're not gonna like hearing: Wes Rucker is saying that C.M. Newton is very much promoting/pushing for White. Newton was in charge of USA basketball and coached at Bama and when he coached at Bama who played for him? None other UT Athletic Director Dave Hart.

Has to because they are not interested to be the latest lapdog for Bohn and Booger.

Happy Easter to you too buddy!

No,

What the frick is wrong with you?

These reaches are unbearable.

It's so funny that what is left of this fanbase is trying so desperately hard to stay relevant that every time a reach is posted, the laughter gets much louder.

Next time your mom pro creates tell her to do it with someone other than your uncle.

It's to late for you to have all your chromosomes, obviously, but your future siblings/lovers should fare better

If she needs to be dug out, I do give free estimates

(no message)