Tag: danny white

Kellie Harper will not return to Tennessee as head coach

Danny White announces leadership change in the Lady Vols’ basketball program.

Tennessee announced a change in leadership for the women’s basketball program on Monday.

Vice chancellor and director of athletics Danny White discussed the change in leadership.

“After a thorough review of our women’s basketball program, I have informed Kellie we are making a change in leadership,” White said. “Decisions like these are never easy to make, especially with someone who has done so much for the Lady Vols as a three-time national champion student-athlete. Her love and passion for Tennessee and the Lady Vols is second to none. She has invested so much heart and soul into our program and truly has given her all for Tennessee. I thank Kellie for her stewardship of our women’s basketball program and wish her and Jon well in the next chapter of their lives.”

PHOTOS: Kellie Harper through the years

Tennessee hires Allen Greene as senior deputy athletics director

Tennessee hires Allen Greene as Senior Deputy Athletics Director.

The University of Tennessee announced the hiring of Allen Greene as senior deputy athletics director on Thursday.

“One of the key objectives from our strategic plan “Rise Glorious” was to attract goal-driven and intensely competitive teammates to strengthen our family-oriented, innovative and fearless culture and Allen is a tremendous addition to our leadership team,” Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White said. “Allen’s one of the most dynamic and engaging leaders I’ve been fortunate to work alongside, and I am thrilled to be able to add one of the stars of our profession and his wonderful family to Rocky Top.”

Greene served as Auburn’s director of athletics from 2018-2022. He also served as director of athletics at Buffalo from 2015-18.

“I’m very appreciative for this opportunity to once again be a teammate with Danny and join the talented executive team he has assembled at Tennessee,” Greene said. “The Tennessee brand is second to none and I am looking forward to help propel UT athletics in this modern era of our industry. My family and I can’t wait to get started on Rocky Top.”

Duane Ross agrees to contract extension through 2027-28

Tennessee head coach Duane Ross agrees to contract extension through 2027-28.

Tennessee head coach and director of track and field Duane Ross agreed to a contract extension through 2027-28 on Wednesday.

In one year under Ross, the Vols and Lady Vols totaled 15 school records, 32 All-America honors and 22 Southeastern Conference medals during the indoor and outdoor seasons.

“In just one season, Duane has started building the foundation to restore our track & field program as one of the nation’s truly elite programs,” Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White said in a press release. “It was an encouraging sign of progress to see both programs finish in the top five at both SEC championship events for the first time since 2008, and watching our women’s program place in the top-10 nationally at indoors and outdoors for the first time since 2009 was eye-opening.”

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

USC athletic director candidate profile: Danny White, Tennessee

We remind you that a “candidate,” in this case, is not a formally announced pursuant of the job, just someone USC should consider.

Let’s continue examining some potential candidates to be the next athletic director for the USC Trojans. Keep in mind that a candidate, for purposes of this article and other similar explorations we have done over the past week, does not refer to someone who has formally announced or indicated a desire to become the next USC AD. In this case, a candidate is merely someone on USC’s big board, using consultant Tony Altimore’s big board at The Voice of College Football as a guide.

We have already discussed Pat Chun and a few other people, so here’s another big name that is currently in an SEC program: Danny White from Tennessee.

This is a more popular name, especially after Tennessee and Danny White were able to land a massive deal to revamp Neyland Stadium. To make things even more difficult for USC, White was given a contract extension at the beginning of the year.

With White in Knoxville, the UT football program, its baseball program, and its men’s basketball program have all been thriving, so it’s a well-deserved promotion for him. USC might have another tempting offer with Lincoln Riley there, along with the 2022 Heisman Trophy winner, Caleb Williams, and the move to the Big Ten coming soon.

Moreover, it was just over a week ago that White announced the plans for the riverfront entertainment district near Neyland Stdium, so the idea of him leaving for USC would be quite a surprise. Yet, the likelihood that White will stay at Tennessee doesn’t mean USC shouldn’t at least place a call to Knoxville.

There are also some rumors circulating, although it remains to be seen how concrete they are regarding Danny White and USC.

Then again, Mike Bohn resigning was quite a shock. USC shouldn’t think White is likely to leave Tennessee, but it can always ask. There’s never any harm in that.

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 tag=696090378]

Tennessee extends Karen Weekly’s contract

Tennessee extends Lady Vols’ softball head coach Karen Weekly’s contract.

The University of Tennessee announced a contract extension for Lady Vols’ softball head coach Karen Weekly on Thursday.

UT Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White announced Tennessee athletics and Weekly have agreed in principle to a five-year contract extension through June 30, 2028.

“It’s a privilege to be the softball coach at Tennessee and to work for Danny White,” Weekly said in a press release. “I appreciate his faith and trust in me to lead Lady Vol softball into the future. The support we receive from the athletics administration is phenomenal. Chancellor Donde Plowman is an incredible leader for our campus and I’m grateful for her mentorship. I am blessed to coach a terrific group of young women and work alongside amazing assistants and staff who share our vision for success.”

Tennessee and Weekly won the 2023 Southeastern Conference regular-season tournament championships.

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Tennessee initiates exploration of entertainment district near Neyland Stadium

Tennessee initiates exploration of an entertainment district near Neyland Stadium.

University of Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White has initiated the exploration of a public-private partnership aimed at development of an entertainment district spanning the Tennessee River waterfront near Neyland Stadium.

The University of Tennessee announced the plans on Wednesday.

University of Tennessee press release:

As Tennessee Athletics continues to aggressively pursue its mission of leading the way in college sports, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White has initiated the exploration of a public-private partnership aimed at the development of a first-in-class entertainment district spanning the Tennessee River waterfront near historic Neyland Stadium.

Anchored by a planned hotel adjacent to the stadium’s south end, the mixed-use Neyland Entertainment District could uniquely enhance the Tennessee football gameday experience while also transforming the campus riverfront and supplementing Knoxville’s array of gathering centers with yet another attractive leisure and entertainment hub.

The university’s initial concept for the project—which would improve the aesthetics of Neyland Stadium’s exterior façade and strengthen campus’s connection with the Tennessee River—includes a boutique, full-service hotel with for-sale condominiums and conference/event space. The vision also features the potential development of a “tabletop” above the existing G10 parking garage to support additional tailgating, restaurants, retail and family-friendly entertainment activities.

A formal Request for Information (RFI) has been issued to gauge input and interest from developers.

“Innovation is at the forefront of everything we do,” White said. “The ideation of this new Neyland Entertainment District exemplifies that mindset. This is a massive project that has the potential to positively impact our entire city. We’re eager to see what world-class developers dream up to creatively maximize this extraordinary market opportunity. We have the capacity for constructing an entertainment ecosystem that doesn’t presently exist anywhere across the collegiate landscape.

“This is far greater than an activation on seven or eight days a year. This is a year-round destination that not only enhances our gamedays but also elevates the everyday academic experience of our entire student body and campus community year-round.”

The university has engaged program management firm Brailsford & Dunlavey as a guiding partner in the Neyland Entertainment District exploratory phase.

“Neyland Stadium has always been known for having one of the best gameday environments in college football,” Chancellor Donde Plowman said. “We love to welcome Vol Nation to campus on Saturdays in the fall. This project has the potential to create a year-round destination that engages the Tennessee River waterfront and enhances the campus and our community.”

Since 1993, Brailsford & Dunlavey has empowered hundreds of colleges and universities, municipalities and professional sports organizations to achieve their bold visions through the built environment. The firm’s advisory expertise includes analytical and technical activities, ranging from market analysis and financial modeling to development structure evaluation and construction oversight.

“This public-private partnership opportunity will enhance the look and atmosphere of Neyland Stadium and the Knoxville campus while creating an additional destination for the city of Knoxville, all without state funding,” University of Tennessee President Randy Boyd said.

The centerpiece of this grand vision, Neyland Stadium, stands as one of the most iconic venues in global sport. It is the eighth-largest stadium in the world—sixth among venues in its category—boasting a capacity of 101,915. Neyland Stadium is surrounded by key ingredients to unlocking a first-in-class mixed-use entertainment district.

  • UT Knoxville has experienced a 17-percent growth in enrollment over the last five years.
  • The university is bolstered by a robust and engaged alumni base exceeding 260,000.
  • The University of Tennessee’s annual impact on the state economy is $1.7 billion.
  • Greater Knoxville is situated at the crossroads of three major interstates, I-75, I-40 and I-81, in the center of Tennessee’s east grand division. The city is located within one day’s drive of half the nation’s population.
  • Knoxville is within an eight-hour drive of Asheville, Atlanta, Charleston (S.C.), Charlotte, Chattanooga, Cincinnati, Louisville (Ky.), Memphis, Nashville, St. Louis and Washington DC.
  • Knoxville was one of the nation’s top five booking markets in the first half of 2022, alongside Atlanta, Nashville, Washington DC and New York City.
  • Knoxville features multiple unique micro-market gathering centers, including The Strip, The Old City, Market Square, Bearden, Turkey Creek and others.
  • Tennessee Athletics is a globally recognized and respected brand featuring one of the most tradition-rich, championship-laden histories in college sports.
  • Tennessee’s passionate and loyal fanbase supports the Vols and Lady Vols at elite levels, with UT’s ticketed sports consistently ranking among the national leaders in average home attendance.

What is an RFI?

In construction, the term Request for Information (RFI) refers to a business process to request information.

This RFI aims to understand the feasibility and gather information related to the viability of the Neyland Entertainment District. This project could profoundly impact the University of Tennessee’s campus, the city of Knoxville and the surrounding area.

Why did the University of Tennessee issue the RFI?

As Tennessee Athletics continues to aggressively pursue its mission of leading the way in college sports, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White initiated the exploration of a public-private partnership aimed at the development of a first-in-class entertainment district spanning the Tennessee River waterfront near historic Neyland Stadium.

This project would transform the overall gameday experience for all of Vol Nation while providing a unique experience year-round for the Knoxville community. One of the goals of the institution is to be more engaged with the waterfront.

What could be included in the proposed Neyland Entertainment District?
Anchored by a planned hotel adjacent to the stadium’s south end, the mixed-use Neyland Entertainment District could uniquely enhance the Tennessee football gameday experience while also transforming the campus riverfront and supplementing Knoxville’s array of gathering centers with yet another attractive leisure and entertainment hub.

The university’s initial concept for the project—which would improve the aesthetics of Neyland Stadium’s exterior façade and strengthen campus’s connection with the Tennessee River—includes a boutique, full-service hotel with for-sale condominiums and conference/event space.

The vision also features the potential development of a “tabletop” above the existing G10 parking garage to support additional tailgating, restaurants, retail and family-friendly entertainment activities.

What’s next in the process?

The RFI will be open and available for four weeks. After that period of time, the RFI results will help inform a Request for Proposal (RFP) for interested parties to continue the process of design and construction of the Neyland Entertainment District.

[affiliatewidget_smgtolocal]

Tennessee extends Kellie Harper’s contract

Tennessee extends women’s basketball head coach Kellie Harper’s contract.

The University of Tennessee announced a contract extension Monday for women’s basketball head coach Kellie Harper.

Tennessee Vice Chancellor/Director of Athletics Danny White and Harper have agreed in principle on a contract extension through the 2027-28 season.

“Including her tenure at Missouri State, Kellie has guided her teams to three of the past four NCAA Sweet 16s,” White said in a press release. “She’s among an elite group of coaches in achieving that, and it didn’t happen by accident. The Lady Vols have a strong program culture, visible player development, a commitment to excellence and intentional leadership in place, and I look forward to watching our program continue to rise under her leadership.”

Harper has served as the Lady Vols’ head coach since the 2019-20 season.

“I couldn’t be more thankful for the belief and trust Danny and Tennessee have placed in me and my staff to lead the Lady Vol program where we all want to go,” Harper said in a press release. “The journey to the top isn’t easy, but I’m really proud of the investment our players have displayed in pursuing our goals and fighting through some adversity along the way.

“By playing in the 2023 SEC Tournament title game and advancing to regionals, we have built a solid foundation for next season. I can’t wait to see what we can achieve together during the years ahead.”

PHOTOS: Kellie Harper through the years

Dexter Manley remembers greatest defensive play in Washington history

The greatest defensive play in Washington’s franchise history?

40 years ago, Dexter Manley was involved in perhaps the biggest play in Redskins history at RFK Memorial Stadium.

Even more, in that NFC Championship game 40 years ago, Manley was actually in on two huge plays that day, and yes, one was the most significant defensive play by the Redskins in RFK history.

Washington had started the season 4-0, but then Dallas came to RFK, sacked Joe Theismann seven times, as Dallas handily defeated Washington 24-10.

Now, it was January 22, 1983, the NFC Championship Game as the No. 1 seed Washington Redskins were hosting the No. 2 seed Dallas Cowboys at RFK.

The stadium was already filled 45 minutes prior to kickoff, and chants of “We Want Dallas” loudly rang throughout. It was a precursor to the game itself, as RFK never before or since seemed to have such crowd intensity as this day.

Washington led Dallas 14-3 in the last minute of the opening half. Dallas QB Danny White dropped back to pass. Richie Petibon’s defense ran a scheme/stunt rush, as Manley looped inside, was not picked up, and had clear sailing to White.

Manley met White straight on, and drove White to the cold, hard turf while White’s helmet slammed to the ground. Frank Herzog called it this way, “White got shaken up by Dexter Manely. Danny White looks like he is knocked out!”

He was. White would not return to the game, even saying in the locker room following the game, he did not remember much about the game.

Dallas would have to go with backup Garry Hogeboom the rest of the way. Actually, Hogeboom engineered two efficient touchdown drives ending with touchdown passes to Drew Pearson and Butch Johnson. Dallas now only trailed 21-17.

After a Mel Kaufmann interception led to a Mark Moseley field goal and a 24-17 Washington lead, Dallas was at their own 20 with just over seven minutes remaining.

Herzog called it this way, ““Play-action fake to Dorsett, hid the ball well. Set up a screen, batted in the air. Picked off by Darryl Grant! TOUCHDOWN, WASHINGTON REDSKINS! I Don’t believe it! Unbelievable! Oh, what a play! Dexter Manley tipped the pass! Darryl Grant got the interception, and NOW the stadium shakes!”

Manley had rushed, leaped into the air, and got his hands on the screen pass. Tackle Darryl Grant, literally seconds earlier, had realized it was a screen pass, quit his pass rush, beginning to make his way to his right toward Dorsett.

In an instant, Manley deflected the pass, and it came to Grant, he made the catch and ran ten yards into the end zone, and Washington was going to Super Bowl XVII.

Football Zebras selects its 2021 slate of officials worthy of enshrinement in Hall of Fame – Football Zebras

Manley a guest on the “Kevin Sheehan Show” podcast last week, expressed his memories of the day.

It was great to hear Manley say, “Thank God, I am still here”, announcing he has been clean (drugs) for nearly 17 years now.

40 years later, Manley could have bragged of his accomplishments. Still, he was actually quick first to point out Richie Petibon, Larry Peccatiello and Torgy Torgeson put the players in good position. (They were defensive coordinator, linebackers coach and defensive line coach, respectively).

“We kicked their butts that day,” said Manley.

The view of the play from the end zone reveals had Manley not deflected the pass, Grant slightly hesitated and was out of position. Dallas had the screen set up well and Dorsett would have most likely run for a big gain on the play.

But Manley did get close enough to Hogeboom; he did leap and did deflect the pass. It remains the most significant play for the franchise in RFK history.

Congratulations 40 years later to Dexter Manley and Darryl Grant.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbykgy681k112p8 player_id=01eqbvhghtkmz2182d image=]

Danny White receives contract extension

Tennessee vice chancellor and director of athletics Danny White receives contract extension.

Tennessee vice chancellor and director of athletics Danny White received a contract extension Wednesday.

White agreed to a contract extension worth $2.2 million annually with a six-year rolling term.

UT press release:

The University of Tennessee, Knoxville Chancellor Donde Plowman announced today that she has extended Danny White’s contract as vice chancellor and director of athletics in recognition of the extraordinary transformation White is leading in Tennessee’s athletics department.

White has agreed to a contract extension starting at $2.2 million annually, with a six-year rolling term.

“Danny White’s strong and innovative leadership of our athletics department has created a championship culture and excellence across all sports in record time,” said Chancellor Donde Plowman. “He’s built the best team of athletics administrators in the country, a team committed to our student-athletes’ well-being and to winning with integrity. He has set audacious goals for Athletics and is exceeding every milestone. I appreciate his leadership, his vision and his commitment to making the University of Tennessee the very best.”

Through White’s first two years on Rocky Top, Tennessee has captured six SEC team championships, and the most recently completed academic year (2021-22) stood as one of Tennessee Athletics’ most comprehensively successful years in decades.

The Vols and Lady Vols enjoyed an historic year competitively, capturing SEC titles in women’s soccer, women’s swimming & diving, men’s basketball and baseball—both regular-season and tournament. Tennessee won the USA TODAY Network SEC All-Sports Trophy for the first time, topping the men’s standings and finishing second in the women’s standings. That dominance helped springboard Tennessee to its best finish in the LEARFIELD Directors’ Cup (13th) in 15 years.

Tennessee football (CFP), baseball (five polls) and men’s tennis (ITA) each rose to No. 1 in the national rankings during 2022. Men’s basketball earned a No. 5 ranking in the final AP poll of the 2021-22 campaign. And football landed at No. 6 in the final AP poll — its best finish in 21 years.

“I am so fortunate to be in the right place, at the right time,” White said. “We have exceptional leadership — starting with Chancellor Donde Plowman — and incredible support from President Randy Boyd and Board of Trustees Chair John Compton. We have the best roster of coaches in college athletics, talented student-athletes and a dynamic administrative team to support the enterprise.

“Most importantly, the passion of Vol Nation gives us a unique opportunity to build the very best athletic department in America. We’re just getting started on Rocky Top. I can’t wait to see what’s next!”

Excitement surrounding the Tennessee football program under head coach Josh Heupel — hired by White in 2021 — also reaped tangible benefits during the last offseason, as Vol Nation purchased a single-year record 17,297 new football season tickets prior to the team’s 11-2 2022 campaign. And more than 7,500 new season tickets have been sold for 2023 since September.

Academic performance also hit a high-water mark for Tennessee student-athletes in 2022. The Vols and Lady Vols posted an all-time record high cumulative GPA of 3.27 in the 2022 spring semester. They then surpassed that mark with a record-setting 3.32 GPA in the 2022 fall semester.

Notably, four sport programs — each of which also enjoyed significant competitive success in 2022 — recorded their highest-ever semester GPA in the fall. Those sports were baseball, men’s basketball, football and men’s track & field (finished third at the NCAA Indoor Championships).

The Tennessee Fund in 2021-22 reported a record year across multiple fundraising metrics. For the fiscal year that ended on June 30 (FY22), the Tennessee Fund team set records for fundraising total ($80,759,936), cash receipts ($68,568,453) and total donors (18,859).

Since White launched the My All Campaign in the summer of 2021, the Tennessee Fund has engaged with close to 13,000 new donors — individuals who had never previously given to Tennessee Athletics.

White announced in December that commitments to the My All Campaign had climbed to more than $361 million — 72 percent of the campaign’s goal of raising $500 million by summer 2026.

Multiple innovative initiatives spearheaded by White — such as moving the department’s outbound ticket sales operation in-house, increasing sponsorship revenue nearly 10 percent and introducing a pair of new and popular premium-seating offerings at Neyland Stadium, to name only a few — led to Tennessee athletics posting its highest-ever single-year operating revenue of $154.5 million in FY22 — with significant growth again forecasted for FY23.

Immediate success is nothing new for the 2019 NACDA Under Armour Athletics Director of the Year. White achieved rapid results during previous AD tenures at both Buffalo and UCF, where he spearheaded increases in both winning percentages, academic success and revenue. White is widely respected by his peers as an innovator and for his ability to generate new revenue. He also has proven himself a great identifier of talent who attracts and retains successful, high-achieving coaches.

[mm-video type=playlist id=01eqbz9dkec01s6y18 player_id=01eqbvp13nn1gy6hd4 image=]

[vertical-gallery id=34932]

Danny White issues statement regarding Evan Russell

Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White issued a statement regarding Evan Russell.

The NCAA Tournament Knoxville Regional started Friday at Lindsey Nelson Stadium.

No. 1 Tennessee (54-7) defeated Alabama State, 10-0.

Redshirt freshman catcher Charlie Taylor replaced graduate senior Evan Russell for Tennessee against Alabama State.

Taylor recorded one RBI in the contest.

Following the Vols’ win, Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello discussed the team’s catcher situation.

“We will give it some time to figure out what’s going on because I have to get with Dr. (Chris) Klenck, but obviously Evan Russell was not here,” Vitello said. “He was sick this morning. I got a message from him. I’m going to always defer to those folks. It opened up an opportunity for Charlie, and also our guys to kind of rally around one another because clearly that’s a big piece there.

“The one thing I’ll say about it, if you come to practice, I mean I’m looking at these names, I think Charlie has everyone on our roster beat as far as how he shows up and plays ball. It’s just kind of the same deal, it’s why he’s a fan favorite in the locker room. I don’t think it affects him much, but what our fans do, just in certain situations, and in particular being behind our guy that’s a freshman on the field, does things to my soul that I wish I could explain to you all, but I can’t.”

Evan Russell. Tennessee practices at Lindsey Nelson Stadium on June 2, 2022 ahead of the NCAA Tournament Knoxville Regional. Photo by Dan Harralson, Vols Wire

Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Danny White issued a statement regarding Russell on Saturday.

“Thrilled to update that Evan Russell is feeling better and back with the team,” White announced. “Sad that over the last 24 hours this young man has had to endure speculation and criticism. In the future I hope that the media will prioritize the health of our student-athletes over unfounded rumors.”

[vertical-gallery id=63682]