KNOXVILLE — University of Tennessee President J. Wade Gilley has appointed a nine-member group to advise him on the selection of a men’s basketball coach.
Gilley will chair the advisory committee, which he said will seek “an established head coach at a winning NCAA program.” The new coach will succeed Jerry Green, who resigned March 20.
Committee members are: Johnnie Amonette of Memphis, vice chairman of the UT Board of Trustees; Doug Dickey, men’s athletic director; Eli Fly, UT executive vice president; Ernie Grunfeld, former Vol All-America player and general manager of the Milwaukee Bucks.
Jim Haslam, UT trustee from Knoxville and chairman of the Athletics Board; Roy Kramer, commissioner of the Southeastern Conference; Dr. Anne Mayhew, vice provost and NCAA faculty representative; Theotis Robinson, UT vice president of equity and diversity; and Pat Summitt, women’s basketball coach.
“I have asked the members to do three things,” Gilley said. “They will tell me what they think our basketball program needs, give me names of possible candidates and be available to talk with one or more finalists.”
Gilley said he thinks a number of head coaches will find the UT job attractive.
“I believe there are a number of good, proven coaches that will be interested in the Tennessee job. I think this is a very good opportunity, but it is about more than wins and losses.
“Our expectations are that the new coach will also be a teacher and a leader of young men.”
As to the timetable for naming a coach, Gilley quoted legendary coach John Wooden, “‘Be quick, but don’t hurry.'”