Mike Gundy would be good for UT Vols football more for rant than mullet

A school whose human mascot wears a coonskin cap could hire a coach who wears a mullet. That’s almost too good to be true.

It’s so good, I don’t want to think about it. Why get my hopes up?

Next thing you know, I would be brainstorming for just the right question to set off a Mike Gundy explosion worthy of “I’m a man; I’m 40.”

More:Mike Gundy: 5 things to know about potential UT Vols football coach

Gundy has had an excellent coaching run at Oklahoma State. And he’s interested enough in the Tennessee job to at least discuss it, if for no other purpose than to squeeze a few more million from Cowboys mega-booster T. Boone Pickens. However, as good as Gundy might be as a football coach, he’s an even better speaker.

If Gundy’s record were no better than Greg Schiano’s, I’d still be pulling for the Vols to hire him. His renowned rant was that good — even though it was directed at a fellow columnist.

Gundy delivered that speech 10 years ago on behalf of a player who had been criticized by an Oklahoma City sports columnist. I’ve watched the speech on YouTube at least once a year since then and marveled at Gundy’s evangelical zeal and delivery.

Not all media-types were amused.

Knoxville’s Mike Griffith, who was president of the Football Writers Association of America at the time, called Gundy's behavior "completely inappropriate." CBS Sports' Dennis Dodd went further saying, "Mike Gundy needs to be reprimanded, definitely suspended, probably fined and maybe fired."

Granted, I’m all for anyone defending columnists. But even if Gundy had been attacking one of my columns, I likely would have been enthralled by his performance.

The way his voice rose and fell. The dramatic pauses. The passionate expressions and animation.

More:Mike Gundy surges into attention for UT Vols' coaching search

Former Tennessee coach Butch Jones rarely took shots at the media. When he did, they lacked Gundy’s flair and focus.

In fact, I can't think of any coach who could have matched Gundy's performance. But I am a fan of former Colorado coach Dan Hawkins' response to a player's parents wanting more time off for their son ("Go play intramurals, Brother"). 

Gundy is 10 years past 40 now, but his speech has endured. And his recruiting has benefited from it. Parents loved the way he stood up for one of his players.

He has since added a mullet. He also has won nine or more games eight times.

With all of UT’s misses in this coaching search, how could it hit on someone with a track record as impressive as Gundy’s? Seems too good to be true.

True or not, I’m cutting this short. There’s a speech I want to hear again.  

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.