John Currie is out as Tennessee’s AD. This was first reported by our TV partners at WVLT Channel 8 this morning. There is a press conference scheduled for 4pm ET today with Chancellor Beverly Davenport.
BREAKING: Rick Russo here. Sources tell Local 8 News Tennessee AD John Currie has been fired after only 8 months on the job. https://t.co/m3vDH7scy1
— wvlt (@wvlt) December 1, 2017
Sources: John Currie was prepared to hire Mike Leach but university officials wouldn’t allow him to do so. Phillip Fulmer has been sabotaging search process in hopes to become Tennessee’s AD
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) December 1, 2017
Industry source: “Throughout this entire (#Tennessee) coaching search Phil Fulmer has tried to undermine AD John Currie in hopes of becoming the AD there.” https://t.co/Z2v03Nkd2h
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) December 1, 2017
John Currie reportedly out as Tennessee athletic director. If true hire paul asap as the AD!!!!! Real orange blood. Then he will hire Tee Martin #volsrback #rockytop @finebaum @coachtee17 @espn https://t.co/Ku2gZYVvvH
— Lane Kiffin (@Lane_Kiffin) December 1, 2017
UT Chancellor Beverly Davenport has called a 4 pm press conference to announce the firing of AD John Currie. Phillip Fulmer has been discussed as a replacement but I can't confirm it is done. Davenport will meet with athletic dept. officials at 1 pm to discuss the Currie firing.
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) December 1, 2017
Don't be surprised if UT promotes Reid Sigmon to interim AD. Sigmon was hired by John Currie April 25. He worked for Currie for four years (2009-13) at Kansas State. He spent 4 years as College FB Playoff chief financial officer. He's a Wake Forest grad who has worked for Browns
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) December 1, 2017
Currie was fired after meeting this morning with Chan. Davenport. Currie was pursuing Washington State coach Mike Leach. Currie's contract runs thru June 30, 2022 and he gets $100K for each month remaining. Based on my math (scary thought isn't it?) he's due $4 million.
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) December 1, 2017
While Currie might be due $4 million, could UT possibly fire him for cause — insubordination? Did Currie branch out on his own during the coaching search? Or did he say things to candidates during the search that might not have been favorable to his bosses? Or is he a scapegoat?
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) December 1, 2017
We’ll have the latest on the this developing story and the continued coaching search on-air.
