Jan 14th, 2010 | 5:17 pm |
Update 9:43 p.m ET The Knoxville News-Sentinel is reporting that Cutcliffe will be hired as the next coach at Tennessee baring a last minute setback.
Update: 5:32 p.m ET WTVD-TV in Raleigh, NC is reporting Cutcliffe is headed to Tennessee
Update: 5:18 p.m. ET WFMY News 2 in Greensboro, N.C is reporting that Duke coach David Cutcliffe has been hired by Tennessee, citing sources close to the coach.
By Travis Duncan
UPDATE: Troy Calhoun has just released a statement. It’s unclear at this point if the team meeting has been canceled or the purpose of the team meeting or if Calhoun had a change of heart. It looks like Duke’s David Cutcliffe is next on UT AD Mike Hamilton’s list. According to WATE TV-6 Hamilton and Cutcliffe will speak Thursday afternoon.
Wes Rucker reports on Twitter that Calhoun and UT had a dispute over length of contract that killed the deal.
“We are more than grateful and proud to be closely involved with the character building of our cadets and the mission of the United States Air Force Academy,” Calhoun said in a statement. ”We are diligently recruiting and working with our team to prepare for the upcoming season. We look forward to coaching and being a part of the Air Force Academy team both on and off the field in 2010.”
The University of Tennessee is set to hire Air Force head coach Toby Calhoun as their next head football coach, according to multiple reports. Calhoun will meet with his players at 5:50 p.m MT to tell them he has accepted the job at UT, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette.
Yesterday it was confirmed that Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp had turned down an interview with Tennessee.
Calhoun was a candidate for the Tennessee job in 2008, when UT hired Lane Kiffin.
Tennessee wanted to move quick, as recruits Brandon Willis, Michael Taylor, Calvin Smith and Delvin Jones all de-committed to Tennessee following the departure of Kiffin.
Calhoun has been with Air Force since 2007 and has a record of 25-14 overall including an 8-5 record in 2009. On Dec. 31, Air Force defeated Houston 47-20 in the Armed Forces Bowl.
Calhoun has taken Air Force to three straight Armed Forces Bowls. He was named the Mountain West Coach of the year for 2007.
Calhoun played quarterback at Air Force from ‘85-’88 and was a graduate of the academy in 1989. From 1989-95 he served as an active duty officer in the Air Force.
Prior to coaching at Air Force he was the offensive coordinator for the Houston Texans in 2006. From 2003-2005 he was an assistant under Mike Shanahan in Denver. From 2001-2003 he was the offensive coordinator at Wake Forest and from 1995-2001 he held the same position at Ohio University.
Photo Credit: Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun coaches his team in the 3rd quarter against Navy on September 29, 2007 at Navy Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis, Maryland. The Navy Midshipmen defeated the Air Force Falcons 31-20
CALHOUN’S COACHING HISTORY
2007: Head Coach, Air Force Academy
2006: Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks, Houston Texans
2005: Assistant to Head Coach, Denver Broncos
2004: Offensive Assistant/ Special Teams, Denver Broncos
2003: Defensive Assistant, Denver Broncos
2001-02: Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks, Wake Forest
1997-2000: Offensive Coordinator/ Quarterbacks, Ohio University
1995-96: Quarterbacks, Ohio University
1993-94: Recruiting Coordinator/ JV Offensive Coordinator, Air Force
1989-90: Graduate Assistant, Air Force
[...] Here is Troy Calhoun link The University of Tennessee is set to hire Air Force head coach Toby Calhoun as their next head football coach, according to sources. Calhoun will meet with his players at 5:50 p.m MT to tell them he has accepted the job at UT, according to the Colorado Springs Gazette. Tennessee set to name Troy Calhoun head football coach | Digital Sports Daily [...]
[...] Tennessee set to name Troy Calhoun head football coach | Digital Sports Daily __________________ Home of the NFL Mock Draft Database [...]
You have to love reporters who jump the gun on stories. “I will be the first to report this … and to hell with making sure I am correct!”
Duncan quickly writes: “The University of Tennessee is set to hire Troy Calhoun…”
Calhoun responds: “We are more than grateful and proud to be closely involved with the character building of our cadets and the mission of the United States Air Force Academy. We are diligently recruiting and working with our team to prepare for the upcoming season. We look forward to coaching and being a part of the Air Force Academy team both on and off the field in 2010.”
Duncan Updates … and looks like a total fool. Nice Job, Travis! Congratulations on breaking a story that doesn’t exist.
“It’s unclear at this point if the team meeting has been canceled or the purpose of the team meeting or if Calhoun had a change of heart. ”
Or…you know…the meeting was to reassure his players that he wasn’t going anywhere. You know, coaches do talk to their players to tell them things other than they quit.