UT Vols: What's next for program, coaching staff as John Currie continues coaching search?

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) walks off the field after a bad play during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday Nov. 25, 2017.

Jarrett Guarantano hears the rumors about who his next coach will be at Tennessee.

"Every single rumor that you guys hear, we’re going to hear," Guarantano, UT's redshirt freshman quarterback, said Saturday night after the Vols' 42-24 loss to Vanderbilt that capped UT's 4-8 season.

"It’s hard not to pay attention to it, but we’re not very worried about it. I think that we have a lot of trust in Mr. Currie to do the right thing, and I think that he will do the right thing."

More:UT Vols: Marquez Callaway TD, third-down music among best, worst in loss to Vanderbilt

Mr. Currie, of course, is athletic director John Currie, who fired coach Butch Jones on Nov. 12 and vowed to spearhead what he labeled "an exhaustive search" for Jones' replacement.

That search hit the two-week mark on Sunday.

There's a lot of competition on the market, with several Power 5 programs having openings. UCLA made a splash on Saturday by hiring former Oregon and NFL coach Chip Kelly.

UT's first-year defensive line coach Brady Hoke took the reins as interim coach after Jones' firing.

Asked how he'll approach the coming days as the coaching search continues to unfold, Hoke pointed to three things:

  • Make sure the Vols with eligibility remaining come back next year and give them the required support.
  • Assist the rest of the coaching staff, most of whom likely will need new jobs soon .
  • Recruit.

A recruiting contact period started Sunday and will continue through Feb. 3.

"I’m going recruiting," Hoke said. "We’ll be hitting the road.”

The Vols have 16 commitments to their 2018 class.

What do you sell recruits for a program that doesn't have a head coach and with the rest of the staff facing a murky future?

“Rocky Top. We’ve got a lot to sell," Hoke said. "You look at the city of Knoxville, you look at the tradition that Tennessee has in football, I think those things are important. I think the relationships with people are always part of it, but most kids pick a school because of the school.”

As for his own future with the program, Hoke didn't say whether he'd like to remain on staff next season.

"We'll see what happens," he said.

More:Brady Hoke apologizes to Vols' departing players after loss

Hoke, like the rest of the assistants, are under contract through next season, but a staff overhaul is likely after Currie hires Jones' replacement.

“John Currie will go out and find the best possible person for this university and for this football program," Hoke said. 

More:Next Vols coach's first goal should be to beat Vanderbilt

Whoever Currie hires will be tasked with rejuvenating a team coming off its first eight-loss season in program history.

The Vols finished with a thud, losing by 18 points to instate rival Vanderbilt. Entering Saturday, Vandy joined Tennessee as the only teams without an SEC victory this season.

“There’s a whole lot of talent of here, and this place is something special, so you’re not going to see Tennessee down for too long, for sure," outgoing senior linebacker Colton Jumper said. "This is a premier program. “