All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee Vols: Five things for new AD Danny White to address

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 22: Smokey the live Tennessee Volunteers mascot on the sidelines during the game between the Florida Gators and Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium on September 22, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Florida won the game 47-21. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
University of Tennessee’s new Director of Athletics Danny White, speaks during a press conference announcing his hiring, on UT’s campus in Knoxville, Tenn., Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.Dannywhite0122 0087
University of Tennessee’s new Director of Athletics Danny White, speaks during a press conference announcing his hiring, on UT’s campus in Knoxville, Tenn., Friday, Jan. 22, 2021.Dannywhite0122 0087 /

4. Unite different factions while taking charge

Such a statement seems incredibly vague, but anybody who has followed this athletic department for the past 10 years or more know it’s a big deal. UT has been significantly divided on every decision ever made with a few key players trying to hijack the program and take complete control.

Honestly, this could go back to 1992 when UT replaced Johnny Majors and named Phillip Fulmer head coach. However, it was masked by Fulmer’s successful early run. When Fulmer was fired in 2008, though, it got put on steroids, and boosters and fans have been divided ever since about the future of Rocky Top.

More importantly, a few select boosters, including Jimmy Haslam, have been trying to run the show like a dictator. Fulmer’s ascension to athletic director seemed to be a rebel against Haslam since John Currie was Haslam’s puppet, but now Fulmer is gone, and there’s some evidence that once he got the job he went back to caving to the Haslam family.

White and Chancellor Donde Plowman have to address this issue. They have to find a way to unite all the major players in the program but make it clear that White makes the decisions for the university. This will take a team effort, but Plowman making the move to hire White is honestly a great first step for the Tennessee Vols.

Home/Tennessee Volunteers