You might be wondering why the University of Tennessee hasn’t hosted a men’s NCAA Tournament game in almost two decades.
You might be wondering why Thompson-Boling Arena – an inviting venue that seats almost 22,000 – hasn’t been featured in March Madness since 1999.
The answer is simple: TBA doesn’t qualify.
That has robbed local fans of seeing some exhilarating college basketball.
Like in 1990, when Georgia Tech, led by Dennis Scott and Kenny Anderson, upset an LSU team with Shaquille O’Neal and Chris Jackson.
Like in 1994, when Duke and Grant Hill, and Kansas and Roy Williams, and Purdue and Glen Robinson and Cuonzo Martin, and Marquette and Kevin O’Neill took the court.
Like in 1999, when Ohio State and Michael Redd, and Auburn and Chris Porter, and St. John’s and Ron Artest, and Maryland and Gary Williams were the featured teams in a regional final.
You know by now Knoxville loves high-level college hoops.
The Vols proved that again this year by averaging over 19,000 per home game to rank No. 4 in the nation in attendance.
So why no more NCAA men’s Tournament games?
TBA no longer fits the NCAA requirements.
The criteria has changed through the years. A venue must have at least four locker rooms, a media area for CBS, TBS, or TNT, climate-controlled meeting rooms for NCAA and TV officials, and a more expansive media work room.
TBA lost some of that space to expand the Vols and Lady Vols’ locker rooms. It uses other space for storage. It has limited back space area.
All of those things are not required to host the first two rounds of the NCAA women’s tournament. But they are for the men’s events.
The last time UT submitted a bid – and lost – was about 10 to 12 years ago.
There has been no need to offer another bid because TBA doesn’t qualify.
UT would have to renovate TBA to host another round of the NCAA Tournament.
Tennessee head coach Rick Barnes announced Friday that Kim English has joined the Volunteers full-time staff as an assistant coach.
English fills the staff vacancy created when Rob Lanier accepted the Georgia State head coaching position last week.
Prior to his hiring at Tennessee, English spent two seasons as an assistant coach on Tad Boyle’s staff at Colorado. During that time, the Buffaloes posted back-to-back winning seasons, going 40-28. Colorado reached the quarterfinals of the 2019 NIT and finished with the third-most wins in program history (23).
In May 2018, the NABC included English on its 2017-18 Under Armour 30-under-30 listing, which honored up-and-coming young collegiate coaches. He was one of only five selections from “Power Five” programs.
Recognized as a rising star in the profession, English was drafted and played for the Detroit Pistons before venturing into the coaching ranks.
“Kim is outstanding,” Barnes said. “When I coached against him, I loved his competitive fire. And when he got into coaching and I spent time with him on the road recruiting, I knew there was something special about him. He’s got tremendous energy and drive and is a great communicator. Our players will love working with him.
“He’s going to make a huge impact on our program, and I’m excited to welcome him and his wonderful wife and family to Knoxville.”
In 2018-19, English helped Tyler Bey and McKinley Wright IV earn first-team All-Pac-12 honors. Bey also was named Pac-12 Most Improved Player after leading the Buffaloes with 13.6 points and 9.9 rebounds and logging 17 double-doubles. In English’s first season at Colorado, he coached All-Pac-12 honoree George King, who was selected by the Phoenix Suns in the 2018 NBA Draft.
From 2015-17, English worked for two years under Frank Haith at Tulsa—earning a promotion to assistant coach after one season as director of player development. During that time, he helped mentor a pair of All-American Athletic Conference selections, and the Golden Hurricane earned a bid to the 2016 NCAA Tournament.
A four-year letterman under coaches Mike Anderson and Haith at Missouri from 2008-12, English scored more than 1,500 points and averaged 11.0 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.4 assists and 1.1 steals per game for the Tigers. He earned third-team All-Big 12 honors in 2010 and 2012, and Missouri won 107 games during his four-year career, making him and two teammates the winningest players in program history.
The Tigers won a school-record 31 games while making a run to the 2009 Elite Eight in English’s freshman campaign.
He averaged a career-best 14.5 points as a senior in 2011-12 and ranked fifth in the Big 12 with 78 3-point makes, while leading Missouri to 30 wins, one of two Big 12 Tournament titles during his career and a No. 2 seed in the NCAA Tournament. He was named Most Outstanding Player of the 2012 Big 12 Tournament after averaging 23.0 points and shooting 78 percent during the Tigers’ championship run.
The Pistons selected English with the 44th overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, and he appeared in 41 games during the 2012-13 season.
He then spent two years playing professionally overseas and had a brief stint with the Chicago Bulls in 2014.
A native of Baltimore, Maryland, English received his degree in general studies from Missouri in 2012. He and his wife, Jessica, have a daughter, Celine.
In a new video, Keith Urban shared the intimate story behind recording “Burden,” the tune he performed at the ACM Awards on April 7.
Penned by Irish singer/songwriter Foy Vance, “Burden” had a profound impact on Keith when he heard it for the first time in March.
“We played at the 02 in London and Ed [Sheeran] came out to see us play,” says Keith in the new video. “We talked about Foy [Vance], who’s an incredible musician and songwriter. The next day, I had a day off in London, so I got on my bike and put my headphones on and road around London for like two hours listening to Foy nonstop.
“And when I got back to Nashville, I realized that I had never seen him play live—he must be fantastic—so I jumped on YouTube and heard this song ‘Burden’ and just fell in love with him. I thought, ‘I’d love to be able to do a version of the song—the way that I was feeling it in my heart.’”
Keith contacted producer Dave Cobb, who he had never worked with, and recorded the song in Nashville.
Dierks Bentley released an uplifting new video for his latest single, “Living.”
The new clip, which was directed by longtime collaborator Wes Edwards (“Drunk on a Plane,” “Riser”), stars Dierks’ five-year-old son, Knox. The father-son tandem do a lot of “living” in the new video, including spending time at the water park, playing in the backyard, singing karaoke, jamming on guitars and much more.
“‘Living’ certainly celebrates life’s big moments and adventures, but for me it’s even more about being intentional and present in everyday moments,” said Dierks. “Knox is at that age where he can still find the biggest joy in the smallest things, and that childlike appreciation for life is the spirit I wanted to bring to this video to remind us of difference between just being alive and actually ‘living.’”
Penned by Dierks, Ross Copperman, Ashley Gorley and Jon Nite, “Living” is the third single from Dierks’ 2018 album, Mountain, following back-to-back No. 1 singles “Woman, Amen” and “Burning Man.”
Blake Shelton dropped a fiery video for his new single, “God’s Country,” on April 12.
The new tune is the first sample of music from Blake’s upcoming 12th studio album. Penned by Michael Hardy, Jordan Schmidt and Devin Dawson, “God’s Country” follows Blake’s previous Top 10 single, “Turnin’ Me On,” which was featured on his 2017 album, Texoma Shore.
“‘God’s Country’ is a song that has a strong and deep meaningful lyric, but at the same time it leaves it up to the listeners interpretation,” Blake said. “But no matter where you are from or where you’re standing it is my belief that you’re standing in God’s Country. It’s really about a state of mind. Wherever you’re from and how you feel about that place. For me it’s about being from Oklahoma—where I was born, raised and still live today.”
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee football team held its final practice before the annual Chevrolet Orange and White Game on Thursday at Haslam Field.
The Vols practiced in full pads two days before they will wrap up spring workouts at the intra-squad scrimmage at 6 p.m. on Saturday inside Neyland Stadium.
The format of the game will be 1s versus 1s and 2s versus 2s with the first-team offense and second-team defense comprising of the “White Team” and the first-team defense and second-team offense donning the “Orange” jerseys.
The game will feature a running clock until the final four minutes of each half. It will air live on the SEC Network.
Tennessee has several players who will be running through the “T” for the first time on Saturday, including 10 early enrollees such as tackle Wanya Morris.
“He had two good scrimmages, it will be interesting to see how he does Saturday night,” offensive line coach Will Friend said. “That’s what I told him today, ‘let’s see how it’s going to be on Saturday night, when you walk into that stadium for the first time.’ That’s another reason why it’s great to get a guy midyear. I think it’s great when the fans sell this thing out, It puts some pressure on the young man so he doesn’t have to get it for the first time when the scoreboard’s on in September.”
Pads will be popping with live tackling making for a great opportunity for Tennessee’s linebackers.
Rising senior Daniel Bituli is one of the leaders of the Vols’ inside linebackers unit. He is joined by rising junior Will Ignont and rising redshirt sophomore Shanon Reid as upperclassmen at the Mike and Will positions with rising redshirt senior Darrin Kirkland, Jr. out for the spring with an injury.
“Daniel Bituli coming back for his second year in the system and being a senior, he’s had a really good spring,” inside linebackers coach Kevin Sherrer said. “I think Will Ignont and Shannon Reid, those guys have done well.”
In their second year in head coach Jeremy Pruitt’s defensive system, Bituli and the other linebackers are far ahead of the pace from a year ago.
“Last year, everyday was a new day,” Sherrer said. “So, when you hit the first day of the second year they know what to expect. They saw it last spring and they saw it in the summer and the fall and now this is their fourth time to be presented a lot of the same information, at least terminology wise. It’s like speaking the same language now instead of everyday you’re giving them new words. You can really communicate so now you’re teaching them how to play the position and how to operate.”
Johnson Excited to Coach Running Backs
Second-year assistant coach David Johnson moved to oversee the running backs this season after coaching the wide receivers last fall.
Johnson is one of several assistants with new responsibilities. The longtime college coach and former New Orleans high school head coach said he was excited for the new challenge.
“Whatever we need to win football games,” Johnson said. “I can coach football. I can coach running backs, tight ends, I can be the water boy. Whatever we need to do to win. I just have that attitude. I’m just glad I have an opportunity on this staff. Now, I have a new opportunity at a new position. So, I’m just excited for that opportunity.”
Johnson was the head coach at St. Augstine High School in New Orleans, where he coached future first-round pick at running back, Leonard Fournette, as well as future NFL stars defensive back Tyrann Mathieu and offensive lineman Trai Turner.
Full Chevrolet Orange and White Game Day Information
In addition to the live game where the first team offense will face the first team defense, Tennessee has several other promotions scheduled, including:
Schedule Poster Pick-up
Fans can stop by the Fax Experience Headquarters tent at Vol Village 3 – 6 p.m. to pick up a FREE Limited Edition Die-Cut Football Schedule Poster while supplies last.
Smokey Statue Unveiling
Ten statues honoring all the bluetick hounds that have served as Smokey will be unveiled at the Pedstrian Bridge by the Student Union at 2:30 p.m.
Chevy Truck Give-Away
One lucky contestant will win an all-new 2019 Chevy Silverado as part of the “Go Orange! Go White!” Silverado Sweepstakes.
VFL Skills Challenge
Field goal kick, punt catch, passing and other competitions will be held at halftime.
VFL Autograph Alley
Fans can stop by Vol Village 4 – 5 p.m. for autographs with their favorite VFLs.
Football Helmet Magnet / Win Season Tickets
first 10,000 fans through the gates will recieve a “Powered by the T” Football Helmet Magnet courtesy of Coca-Cola. Following the game, fans can enter for a chance to win 2019 Football Season Tickets by posting a photo of their magnet with the hashtag #StickItForSeasonTickets.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame announced its nine-person 2019 induction class on Wednesday. Included in the star-studded class are five honorees with UT ties: Kippy Brown, David Cutcliffe, Charles Davis, Kara Lawson and Peyton Manning.
The class will be inducted at the 53rd annual induction ceremony on Saturday, June 15 at the Omni Nashville Hotel.
KIPPY BROWN Football
Brown served three different stints as wide receivers coach at Tennessee from 1983-89, 1993-94 and then again in 2009. A Tennessee native, Brown helped establish the Vols as “Wide Receiver U,” coaching the likes of Carl Pickens, Joey Kent and Marcus Nash. He had an illustrious career in the NFL as well, winning Super Bowl XLVIII with the Seattle Seahawks. Brown also spent time coaching with the New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans and Detroit Lions.
DAVID CUTCLIFFE Football
David Cutcliffe coached at Tennessee from 1982-1998 and again from 2006-07, serving as an offensive assistant, tight ends coach, quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. He helped develop another member of this induction class, Peyton Manning, into one of the most prolific college and NFL quarterbacks in history during Manning’s time at Tennessee. As a coach with UT, Cutcliffe was a part of five SEC Championships and the Vols’ undefeated run to becoming the 1998 National Champions. He won the 1998 Broyles Award, which is given to the nation’s top assistant coach.
CHARLES DAVIS Football
A Tennessee native, Davis was a four-year starter at safety for the Vols (1983-86) and was a member of the famed “Sugar Vols” who defeated Miami, 35-7, in the Sugar Bowl. In the bowl win over the Hurricanes, Davis registered six tackles and an interception. The ’85 Vols also won the SEC Championship. Davis currently works as a game analyst for Fox and covers the NFL Draft for the NFL Network.
KARA LAWSON Women’s Basketball
Lawson played for the legendary Pat Summitt and the Lady Vols from 1999-03 and was named to the AP All-America team three times. During her Tennessee career, the Lady Vols won four SEC Championships and had a record of 126-17. The Springfield, Va., native was drafted fifth overall by the Detroit Shock in 2003 and won a WNBA Championship with the Sacramento Monarchs in 2005. She played for Team USA in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, winning a gold medal, and now serves on the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees. She also is a game analyst with the NBA’s Washington Wizards as well as an analyst and studio host with ESPN.
PEYTON MANNING Football
Manning played quarterback for Tennessee from 1994-97 and led the Vols to the 1997 SEC Championship game where they defeated the Auburn Tigers, 30-29. Manning was a consensus first-team All-American and won the Maxwell Award, Davy O’Brien Award and the Johnny Unitas Award in his senior season. He completed his career at UT with 11,201 passing yards, 89 passing touchdowns and 39 career wins. All of which are still Tennessee records. He went on to become a five-time NFL MVP, 14-time Pro Bowler and won two Super Bowls with the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos.
Tennessee senior linebacker Darrin Kirkland Jr., might have played his last snap in a Vol uniform.
Kirkland, a freshman All-American in 2015 when he had 66 tackles, has chronic knee problems and has undergone multiple surgeries.
Kirkland is undergoing treatment in Pensacola, Fla., with well-known surgeon, Dr. James Andrews.
Tennessee coach Jeremy Pruitt said the treatments have been done on “several guys playing in the NFL and it extended their careers. Right now, he (Kirkland) is doing that.’’
Kirkland is not participating in UT’s spring drills.
Pruitt said Wednesday on Sports Radio WMNL that he and Kirkland have “talked about … the possibility of not even playing next fall and getting ready for the draft.’’
Pruitt said Kirkland has his degree and has been a “great ambassador’’ for UT.
“When you talk about quad strength and hamstring strength,’’ Pruitt said, “if it is not as strong as it is on the other leg, then you tend to have nagging injuries. That is something that has happened to him in the past.
“I think that Darrin is a really good football player. He has a bright future. He does have to get his leg well and I’m not sure that seven or eight months of rehab will not do him best.’’
CMA Fest officially begins on June 6, but the Grand Ole Opry will be getting things kick-started on June 4 with a free afternoon party on the Opry Plaza, followed by two ticketed shows at 7 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. that will feature Carrie Underwood, Travis Tritt, Chris Janson and more.
Additional Opry performances scheduled for CMA Fest Week include 7 p.m. shows on June 6, 7 and 8, as well as the Country Classics matinee at 3 p.m. on June 8 that will feature Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Charley Pride and more at the Ryman Auditorium. Country music stars and gospel artists will come together for Sunday Mornin’ Country at 2 p.m. on June. 9.
Earl Thomas Conley passed away at age 77 on April 10.
Earl was known for blending different musical styles with deep, intelligent lyrics into what was called “thinking-man’s country,” often bending the rules of what was considered traditional country. Earl recorded 18 No. 1 hits in the 1980s, including “Fire and Smoke,” “Somewhere Between Right and Wrong,” “Right From the Start,” “Love Out Loud” and more.
NCD combed its archives and found an interview with Earl from the April 7, 1998, issue of Country Weekly magazine, penned by Wendy Newcomer with photos by Tim Campbell.
“I think all of life is a spiritual experience. Music is the heart of that to me.” —Earl Thomas Conley
To learn a little more about Earl, including some of the hardships he overcame, check out the article below.
