Plans A to Z: Tennessee's exhausting list of coaching targets
This not just in: Tennessee is without a head coach.
Athletic director John Currie and his staff have been vetting and interviewing candidates since firing Butch Jones on Nov. 12, but they've yet to bring one to Knoxville.
Here's a look at one of the most botched coaching searches of all time:
Plan A: Jon Gruden - Monday Night Football
Tennessee started out swinging for the fences, but couldn't lure Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden out of the broadcast booth. Gruden began his coaching career as a graduate assistant for Tennessee in the 1980s.
Plan B: Greg Schiano - Ohio State
In one of the most shocking coaching developments in recent memory, Tennessee agreed to hire Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, only to tear up the contract at the last second amid fan backlash.
Plan C: David Cutcliffe - Duke
(Photo courtesy: Action Images)
The third time wasn't a charm. After coming up short in its first two hiring attempts, Tennessee went to Duke to recruit longtime Volunteers assistant David Cutcliffe. The 63-year-old turned down the gig, electing to remain with the unheralded Blue Devils instead of returning to Rocky Top.
Plan D: Mike Gundy - Oklahoma State
With their primary targets out of the picture, the Vols took their search to Oklahoma State, home of longtime coach Mike Gundy. The 50-year-old listened, but ultimately gave the same answer as Cutcliffe.
Cowboy For Life! #GoPokes #okstate
— Mike Gundy (@CoachGundy) November 29, 2017
Plan E: Jeff Brohm - Purdue
With his options dwindling, Currie reportedly orchestrated a meeting with first-year Purdue coach Jeff Brohm on Wednesday. The two sides failed to strike a deal, leaving the offensive wizard in West Lafayette.
Plan F: Jim Bob Cooter - Detroit Lions
(Photo courtesy: Getty Images)
This one didn't last long, as Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter refused to even listen to his alma mater, reportedly declining an opportunity to interview for the job.
Plan G: Dave Doeren - NC State
Tennessee is expected to meet with NC State's Dave Doeren in the coming days - if it hasn't already - but the Vols faithful doesn't seem anymore enamored with him than it was with Schiano.
Multiple people have tweeted me that they’re lining up on campus in the morning to cancel their season tickets if #Vols hire Dave Doeren.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) November 30, 2017
This is going well, you guys.
Plans H to Z:
Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele and SMU coach Chad Morris have reportedly had contact with the school, but there hasn't been any indication that either is a serious candidate.
In other words, Tennessee's coaching search for the ages may not have an end in sight.