Knoxville has been a whacky place to be during the past 72 or so hours.
After Sunday’s failed attempt to hire Greg Schiano and last night’s denial from Mike Gundy, Tennessee turned its eyes to Purdue coach Jeff Brohm. Brohm led the Boilermakers to a 6-6 regular season and their first bowl appearance since 2012,winning more conference games (four) in 2017 than the program had won in four years (three).
Talks escalated Wednesday morning, seemingly culminating in an agreement when local reporter Jimmy Hyams tweeted the following, then made a television performance on ESPN backing up the claim.
Tennessee will soon announce the hiring of Purdue coach Jeff Brohm after going 6-6 this year. Brohm was 30-10 at Western Kentucky. Buyout is $5 million, drops to $4 million Dec 5. Still owes Purdue about $750k for leaving WKY.
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) November 29, 2017
@JimmyHyams reporting Tennessee has found its next head football coach… pic.twitter.com/zKtJmlfr5s
— Bob Ley (@BobLeyESPN) November 29, 2017
But, typical of the Vols’ coaching search so far, this didn’t prove to be true.
Source i trust said as of 30 minutes ago there was not a deal between Jeff Brohm and Tennessee.
— rickbozich (@rickbozich) November 29, 2017
coach @JeffBrohm is on the road recruiting for Purdue. There is no deal with Tennessee.
— rickbozich (@rickbozich) November 29, 2017
coach @JeffBrohm is on the road recruiting for Purdue. There is no deal with Tennessee.
— rickbozich (@rickbozich) November 29, 2017
COACH BROHM IS STAYING HOME💪🏾✅😩 pic.twitter.com/T5VwYXWSxJ
— EB3🏴 (@ProspectInTown) November 29, 2017
Naturally, the sports world reacted in kind.
Look, mister, there’s… two kinds of dumb, uh… guy that gets naked and runs out in the snow and barks at the moon, and, uh, guy who does the same thing in my living room. First one don’t matter, the second one you’re kinda forced to deal with. https://t.co/5YX0Y0QSOw
— Gregg Doyel (@GreggDoyelStar) November 29, 2017
“Jeff Brohm is the head coach of the Tennessee Volunteers” – Jimmy Hyams pic.twitter.com/7WFkV9s5UL
— Mark Yarbro (@jamesmarkyarbro) November 29, 2017
Finally has breaking news.
Wrong. pic.twitter.com/kiRhBEiEbc
— John Monroe (@MinisterofD) November 29, 2017
THEN, local radio host Erik Ainge somehow thought tweeting his DM insults to Lane Kiffin was a good idea, and lemme tell ya, there were not many in agreeement.
I don’t want him. He doesn’t want to be back here either. Kiffin is not the answer. I promise. See our convo. No. Thanks. Lane. pic.twitter.com/HLjYDQ13s4
— Erik Ainge (@ErikAinge3) November 29, 2017
Tennessee coaching search level: unprovoked local radio host DM’ing Lane Kiffin for seemingly no reason, coming off like a child, posting then deleting. pic.twitter.com/r5jjYSv5AA
— Rob Cassidy (@Cassidy_Rob) November 29, 2017
This is really embarrassing.
— Seth Hughes (@THESethHughes) November 29, 2017
— Juice Davis (@jabaridavis_VFL) November 29, 2017
Does Ainge not realize that he’s the one who looks like an idiot here?
— Morgan Holder (@gmorganholder) November 29, 2017
Since you wanna be childish, thought Elmo could help you understand WHEN TO STOP! pic.twitter.com/SgohGJ9fsV
— Tate (@illmaticTate) November 29, 2017
It’s been a rough day.
