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10 Most Regrettable Moments In Tennessee Vols History

By Zach Ragan

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 31: Head coach Derek Dooley of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with the leather helmet after their 35-21 over the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Georgia Dome on August 31, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 31: Head coach Derek Dooley of the Tennessee Volunteers celebrates with the leather helmet after their 35-21 over the North Carolina State Wolfpack at Georgia Dome on August 31, 2012 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /
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CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 07: Head coach David Cutcliffe of the Duke Blue Devils watches his team during their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC – NOVEMBER 07: Head coach David Cutcliffe of the Duke Blue Devils watches his team during their game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Kenan Stadium on November 7, 2015 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. (Photo by Grant Halverson/Getty Images) /

Not Hiring David Cutcliffe

When Lane Kiffin abruptly departed Knoxville, it left Tennessee in a bind. It was a month until singing day, which wasn’t a good time to be looking for a head coach.

Tennessee offered the job to several coaches. Among them were Jon Gruden (allegedly), Will Muschamp (then the defensive coordinator at Texas) and Troy Calhoun (head coach at Air Foce).

The job was also reportedly “offered” to former Vols offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe. One North Carolina news station even reported that Cutcliffe was taking the job.

But apparently athletic director Mike Hamilton took too long to officially offer Cutcliffe the job. When Hamilton finally called Cutcliffe back, he had made the decision to stay at Duke.

I understand where Cutcliffe was coming from. If Hamilton felt he could get someone better, then it was clear Cutcliffe was just the “backup plan”.

Had Tennessee done the right thing and hired Cutcliffe as soon as Kiffin bolted, they probably wouldn’t have endured three straight losing seasons.

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