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Tennessee Vols: Five reasons UCF AD Danny White is best hire in decades

By Caleb Calhoun

TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 23: The UCF Knights Athletic director Danny White stands on the sidelines during warm-up before a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 23, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
TAMPA, FLORIDA - NOVEMBER 23: The UCF Knights Athletic director Danny White stands on the sidelines during warm-up before a game against the South Florida Bulls at Raymond James Stadium on November 23, 2018 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) /
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Nov 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; A wide angle view of a sold out stadium in a game between the UCF Knights and the South Florida Bulls during the second half at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 24, 2017; Orlando, FL, USA; A wide angle view of a sold out stadium in a game between the UCF Knights and the South Florida Bulls during the second half at Spectrum Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-USA TODAY Sports /

There is no way the Tennessee Vols could have done better. While everybody thought about Mark Ingram and Jon Gilbert as their next potential coach, the university shot high and went for arguably the best athletic director in the nation. UTSports announced they brought in Danny White. If anybody could fix Tennessee football overnight, their new hire, White, is that guy.

White has spent the past six years with the UCF Knights, and he spent four years before that with the Buffalo Bulls. During that time, he oversaw the resurgence of numerous programs, particularly football on both fronts. However, his track record shows Tennessee basketball, the Tennessee Lady Vols and other sports are in good hands as well.

Not since Bob Woodruff, Doug Dickey or Joan Cronan have the Tennessee Vols made such a great hire to run their athletic department. There’s a reason White signed a five-year extension to become the highest paid AD in the state of Florida just last year. What makes him so great? Let’s break that down here. These are the five reasons White is an elite hire.

5. Top-notch fundraiser for facility upgrades

Okay, this may not be as important on Rocky Top given the money that comes into the program. However, if UT ever does start to face financial issues, Danny White is the guy who could help dig them out of it. His track record proves it.

According to Patrick Brown of GoVols247, White raised $35.5 million at UCF in 2020, which was four times as much as the school had raised just four years prior. What’s more important is how he has used that money.

White loves creative facility upgrades. UCF already had a beach club in their stadium, but don’t forget this story about them building a lazy river around their stadium. Upgrades to practice facilities and workout rooms won’t be needed as much given the nature of the Tennessee Vols in the SEC, but creative ideas like that could be a huge splash (pun intended) for the program.

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