Mar 14, 2014; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers coach Tim Miles reacts against the Ohio State Buckeyes in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten college basketball tournament at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Ohio State defeats Nebraska 71-67. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
Tim Brando, who received the Lindsey Nelson broadcasting award from the Knoxville Quarterback Club this past weekend, threw out a name on Tuesday for Vol fans to watch out for in UT’s impending coaching search.
Tennessee's Dave Hart is a quality AD IMO, but he could prove it by making a strong run at Nebraska's Tim Miles. He is Pearl reincarnated!
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) April 15, 2014
I know Huskers aren't going to be happy with me, and they won't give him up easily, but Tim Miles should be the first call he makes!
— Tim Brando (@TimBrando) April 15, 2014
If nothing else, Brando got the attention of Vol fans by linking former UT coach Bruce Pearl’s name to Tim Miles.
Brando is of course referring to Miles’ level of energy, which is comparable to Pearl’s. Unlike Pearl, Miles hasn’t been involved in any NCAA investigations.
Miles would obviously be a great hire for the Vols. In his second year at Nebraska he led the Cornhuskers to the second round of the NCAA tournament. It was the program’s first appearance in the NCAA tournament since 1998.
Prior to his time at Nebraska, Miles served as the head coach at Colorado State. He went 7-25 in his first season with the Rams. By his last season at Colorado State his team had a record of 20-12 and made the NCAA tournament.
Miles was named the Big 10 coach of the year this past season.
It’d be tough for the Vols to pull Miles away from Nebraska. He’s a beloved figure there, but the job at Tennessee would be considered a slight “step up”.
It remains to be seen if the Vols will even consider Miles, but they’d be smart to heed the advice of Tim Brandon and at least give him a call.