The Great Smoky Mountain Journal

Staff, Wire Reports

Posted: Sunday, January 21, 2018 07:24 PM

Backlash Continues Against UT AD John Currie For Handling of Schiano Hire

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- Tennessee Athletic Director John Currie canceled his speaking engagement at the Knoxville Quarterback Club Monday.

Speaking in his place was Jimmy Hyams of WNML Sports Radio. Members of the quarterback club said Currie canceled earlier Monday morning.

Also taking the podium was former Tennessee head coach Johnny Majors, who weighed in on the almost hiring of Greg Schiano and the responses from many Tennessee politicians.

"I see all these politicians coming out making comments, but they don't know a thing about what's going on, but they want to get their name in the paper and talk about what certain people are and what they aren't. I don't know a lot about that, but I know this: Mr. Schiano is a very fine football coach and I knew him well. I hate for this to happen to the university, but if I were taking the job here I wouldn't worry about the d**n fan base, but I want to say I appreciate the way people have treated me through the years here," Majors said.

Congressman John Duncan, Jr., however, did have an opinion at the meeting. He said Tennessee needs someone that is a "Tennessee guy."

I've been a big fan for years of Phillip Fulmer, David Cutcliff and John Chavis. I wish they'd find somebody like that," Duncan said.

Currie released a statement Monday that read, "I have followed Coach Schiano's accomplishments throughout his career and have been fortunate to get to know him and his family over the last several years," Currie said in the statement. "As reported by the media, he was a leading candidate for our position. Among the most respected professional and college football coaches, he is widely regarded as an outstanding leader who develops tough, competitive teams and cares deeply about his student-athletes."

Currie continued, saying:

"We carefully interviewed and vetted him, as we do candidates for all positions. He received the highest recommendations for character, family values and commitment to academic achievement and student-athlete welfare from his current and former athletics directors, players, coaching colleagues and experienced media figures.

"Coach Schiano worked at Penn State from 1990-1995. Consequently, we, of course, carefully reviewed the 2012 investigation report by Louis Freeh. Coach Schiano is not mentioned in the Freeh report and was not one of the more than 400 people interviewed in the investigation. We also confirmed that Coach Schiano was never deposed and never asked to testify in any criminal or civil matter. And, we conferred with our colleagues at The Ohio State University, who had conducted a similar inquiry after the 2016 release of testimony. I know that Coach Schiano will continue to have great success in his coaching career and wish him and his family well."