Finally!

 

After 45 days of a position held hostage...we finally have an Offensive Coordinator!!  When the search started, I never thought that it would be Jim Chaney, but I am very pleased with the choice!

What Are You Waiting For?

 

Day 42 and Tennessee still does not have an offensive coordinator.  There has been little development in the search since last week. 

So let's take a look at the names still being talked about:

 

Matt Canada

We know his resume and what he could bring to the table.  Jeremy Pruitt did interview him last week.  At this point he would be a solid hire and could make it work at Tennessee.

 

Freddie Kitchens

Right now Kitchens is the person I want Tennessee to hire.  It does not appear that Bruce Arians or Freddie Kitchens is going to become the head coach in Cleveland, so he could easily become the guy to hire.

 

Steve Sarkisian

I'm still concerned with how Sarkisian will handle the pressure at a major college program.  After his breakdown at USC, he was an OC at a major college program for one game, before he left to go to the Atlanta Falcons.  At the end of last week, Jeremy Pruitt reportedly talked to Tee Martin about coming to be a part of the staff, but not as the OC.  Could Martin be coming back to Tennessee along with Sarkisian?  If this is the case, who on the staff is dismissed to make room for Martin?

 

Jim Chaney

This name was mentioned on Friday on talk radio as a possibility.  The original talk was the only way Chaney would come back to Tennessee was if he brought OL Coach Sam Pittman back with him.  I don't think Pruitt would let this happen, because this means he will have to reassign or dismiss one of his best friends and college roommates, Will Friend.  The talk of Chaney coming back gained speed over the weekend as the talk of him having to bring Pittman with him changed to him coming alone.  Mix in the fact that Georgia still has not extended Chaney's contract past next season, and talk will begin to pick up speed.

We are getting close to the point of no return.  Pruitt has repeatedly said that not having an OC hasn't hurt the recruiting class, but we shall see.