Danny White was hired as Tennessee’s athletics director Friday.
A search is underway in hiring the Vols’ next football head coach.
During White’s introductory press conference, he highlighted how philanthropy is part of building a program.
“I think that what I’ve tried to do is similar to how we market our program, in terms of building a brand,” White said regarding his history of out of the box hires. “Whether it be in a community, building a compelling case for support and philanthropy, I think the same is true for hiring a coach.”
Penn State head coach James Franklin has a history of being at the forefront for the public good and philanthropy.
Franklin was named Penn State’s 43rd Annual Renaissance Fund honoree in 2019.
“His legacy at the University is best reflected in the lives of the student-athletes he teaches, mentors and inspires. James leads by example and is a great choice for this year’s award.” –George Henning Jr., president of the Renaissance Fund’s board of directors and a 1963 graduate of Penn State
Franklin previously served as a Southeastern Conference head coach in the Volunteer State.
He guided Vanderbilt to a 24–15 (11–13 SEC) record, two nine-win seasons, three bowl appearances and two bowl victories from 2011-13.
Philantrophy is also a key component for Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck.
During the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic in April, Fleck discussed how his student-athletes could remain playing a part in philantrophy during a time when spring practices were canceled.
Below is a question and answer with Fleck from The St. Paul Pioneer Press.
Have you been working on any plans to give back to the community?
Our players have been great. The NCAA has been great for some players on certain teams in allowing them to do certain things. A lot of our players have been doing those things on their own. We’ve asked them to keep up with the philanthropy, keep up with the nonprofits and keep up with a way to make your lives bigger than yourselves.
A lot of them, that needs to focus on their families, that meets the need for them. There are others that have reached out to other organizations and non-profits and have done that.
(My wife) Heather and I and our team are still very involved in Ronald McDonald House, dropping off a lot of different supplies. Our players have asked to put their heads together and come up with certain ways to be able to help our community and their communities at home. We are very excited about that. We are very excited to be able to help that, and we will continue to do that.
Fleck has a connection with the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions that could benefit Tennessee when presenting findings of wrongdoings to the jury.
He played for Joe Novak at Northern Illinois. Novak serves on the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions.
Novak discussed Tennessee’s internal investigation with Vols Wire last month.
“Schools are NCAA members, so if they find a violation on campus, they are obligated to turn themselves in,” Novak told Vols Wire.“Since this thing is so public, I am sure the NCAA is aware of it. Technically, Tennessee has an obligation, after they review it, if they find that there are violations, they are obligated to turn themselves in.”
Chris Petersen, former Washington and Boise State head coach, has also been centered around philanthropy.
Petersen departed Washington following the 2019 season.
“It becomes a lot of frustration and anxiety and stress, and some of the excitement and positivity and optimism can be pushed away, and that’s never a way to lead your life,” Petersen said when leaving Washington to take time away from football.
Petersen doesn’t know entirely what is next for him. He didn’t rule out coaching again — “I’m not falling for that trick question,” — but sounded more interested in philanthropy and leadership than the stress of being a football coach. –KOMO News
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