David Cutcliffe is assembling a coaching staff with the expectation of becoming the head coach at the University of Tennessee.
According to the Knoxville News Sentinel, Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton said via text message late Thursday that the search for a head football coach was still in the interviewing phase of the process and that no offer had been made to anyone when asked about Cutcliffe.
Although Cutcliffe is assembling a staff, the deal has not been finalized. An agreement could be reached as early as today.
Cutcliffe’s projected staff would include Kurt Roper, who has been his offensive coordinator at Duke. Roper coached running backs for the Volunteers when Cutcliffe was offensive coordinator under then-head coach Phil Fulmer.
Offensive line coach Matt Luke also is a strong candidate to join the Vols staff. Luke was an assistant offensive line/tight ends coach and served as recruiting coordinator during his two seasons at Tennessee.
Tennessee Vols AD Mike Hamilton
Tennessee interim head coach Kippy Brown likely would have the option to remain with the Vols. Hamilton said Brown is a candidate for the Volunteers coaching vacancy, but Brown seemed open to working under Cutcliffe when contacted Thursday.
Besides Brown, former Lane Kiffin assistants that remain on Tennessee’s staff include offensive coordinator Jim Chaney, offensive line coach James Cregg, quarterbacks coach David Reaves, linebackers coach Lance Thompson and defensive backs coach Willie Mack Garza.
