A new Jason Emert ad in the 2nd Congressional GOP Primary race is drawing some national attention, but its because of the sports reference in the ad rather than policy. The Emert spot takes a shot at former UT football coach Butch Jones, who once made a comment that he would rebuild the football program “brick by brick.” “Unlike Butch Jones, when I say I’m going to do something, I actually mean it,” Emert says in the ad. But trolling Jones, who once appeared in a Farm Bureau commercial building a brick mailbox, doesn’t end there. In his commercial, which is virtually identical to the Farm Bureau ad featuring Jones, Emert is literally building a brick wall to demonstrate his support for President Donald Trump’s proposed border wall. At the end Emert looks at his wall and says: “Brick by brick.” While Jones isn’t on the ballot in August, Emert clearly hopes the creative ad will draw attention to his campaign. Recent polls indicate that Emert is lagging well behind two of his competitors for the vacancy created by the retirement of Congressman Jimmy Duncan. Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett and State Representative Jimmy Matlock are locked in a heated primary…
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Victor Ashe Commentary: Butch Jones, John Currie, and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville’s $18 Million Dollar Misadventure
by Victor Ashe It is never fun to voice concern about the University of Tennessee and its spending practices. As a graduate of the UT College of Law, I am proud of my Tennessee law degree. Having attended graduate school there, I wish the following was fiction instead of fact. However, when we learned over the past few weeks that donors to the UT athletic program are having over $18 million diverted from other purposes to fund payouts for three persons who were terminated, one has to wonder: Who is minding the store from a financial standpoint? With the forced departure of Butch Jones as football coach by AD John Currie and now Currie’s departure, preceded by payouts for former AD Dave Hart and Mike Hamilton the total cost potentially exceeds $18 million. That is not pocket change. When UT Chancellor Beverly Davenport fired (suspended) Currie, did she consider the cost involved to the Athletic Department as only 8 months earlier she had signed a contract with Currie on top of his actual salary which would guarantee him $100,000 a month until June, 2022 if fired without cause. Davenport and Currie worked well together until she suddenly removed him…
Read the full storyReport: Tennessee Has Given Jon Gruden an Ultimatum on Open Head Coaching Job
It appears the “Grumors” surrounding the Tennessee head coaching position have reached an apex. According to Grant Ramsey of 247Sports, Tennessee athletic director John Currie flew to Tampa on Wednesday night, where it is believe that a pitch was made to Gruden on the now open head coaching job. Ramsey’s report also includes another important piece…
Read the full storyJon Gruden Addresses Coaching Rumors During ‘Mike & Mike’ Appearance
The GRUMOR is officially back on!!! During an appearance on Mike & Mike Wednesday, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers coach and Monday Night Football broadcaster Jon Gruden was asked about a potential return to coaching, as well as specifically being linked once again to the job at the University of Tennessee. “I haven’t really talked to anybody,”…
Read the full storyReport: Jon Gruden Has ‘No Interest’ in Tennessee As Focus Shifts to Another Head Coach Candidate
The Jon Gruden rumors have been going strong the last few weeks and especially so this week after Butch Jones was fired from his job at Tennessee. However, Football Scoop is reporting that the former Super Bowl-winning coach is not interested in going to the college ranks. Jon Gruden has no interest in being the next…
Read the full storyCBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee Calls Potential Tennessee Coaching Candidate ‘Home Run Hire’
Tennessee’s coaching search is officially underway following the termination of former head football coach Butch Jones on Sunday. Several names have been linked to the Vols’ coaching position for weeks, but CBS Sports’ Barrett Sallee believes current Mississippi State coach Dan Mullen is the best option. “Mullen would be a home run hire for Currie if…
Read the full storyTennessee Fires Butch Jones
Tennessee fired fifth-year head coach Butch Jones after another blowout loss, according to multiple reports Sunday. Volunteers athletic director John Currie told Jones on Sunday morning that he was being fired, sources told ESPN’s Chris Low. The move was first reported by Sports Illustrated. Tennessee, winless this season in the SEC, was blown out 50-17 at…
Read the full storyRumor: Tennessee’s Dream Option Taking Another Step in Consideration for Vols Job
Tennessee fans, take this latest GRUMOR for what it’s worth! FOX Sports Knoxville‘s Jon Reed joined The Drive on Wednesday afternoon to discuss a rumor involving Jon Gruden’s son Michael, a UT student, coming home to Tampa for a “family meeting,” this upcoming weekend. The rumor suggests that Gruden wants to discuss what taking the head…
Read the full storyFormer Tennessee Great Tweets Cryptic News with Butch Jones Rumors Swirling
Everything surrounding the Tennessee football program is sketchy at the moment. The Vols sit at 3-3 on the season and, after two straight losses to Georgia (by quite a lopsided margin) and South Carolina, Butch Jones’ seat has never been hotter in Knoxville. In fact, many believe that there is very little Jones can do to…
Read the full storyPaul Finebaum Says He’s Been Told Tennessee’s ‘First Choice’ If Butch Jones Is Fired
Paul Finebaum has had some crazy callers on his television show, but every once in a while he gets someone insightful on there. On Thursday, Finebaum had a caller tell him that he was high school friends with Gruden’s wife and said he is hearing Jon Gruden is the top target at Tennessee. Normally, Finebaum would…
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