Danny White was hired as Tennessee’s athletics director on Jan. 22.
White has since launched a search to hire the Vols’ next football head coach.
The search is taking place as the UT football program is having an ongoing internal investigation to alleged recruiting wrongdoings from the previous staff.
White came to Tennessee after serving in the same capacity at Central Florida. White hired Josh Heupel as the Knights’ head coach ahead of the 2018 season.
Heupel is now a candidate to become Tennessee’s next head coach.
Tennessee’s coaching search showcased Minnesota’s P.J. Fleck as a candidate. Vols Wire previously detailed how Fleck coming to Tennessee could benefit the Vols when presenting findings of wrongdoings to the NCAA jury.
Fleck has a connection with the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions.
The Minnesota head coach played for Joe Novak at Northern Illinois. Novak is part of the jury that serves on the NCAA Division I Committee on Infractions.
Fleck has since elected to remain at Minnesota and Heupel has become a strong candidate at Tennessee.
Heupel’s UCF coaching staff also has a connection with Novak.
UCF co-offensive coordinator and tight ends coach Alex Golesh coached for Novak at Northern Illinois from 2006-07. Novak retired following the 2007 season.
The former Northern Illinois head coach 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.”
Novak previously joined the show “Tennessee Two-A-Days” and can be listened to here or below.
[vertical-gallery id=31910]