John Currie, former Tennessee Vols AD, to work for Robert Morris for one week

John Currie will spend a week later this month sharing with students, faculty and staff at Robert Morris University as an executive-in-residence, the school, located in Pittsburgh, announced Monday.  

Tennessee Director of Athletics John Currie smiles during a press conference announcing new information concerning the Tennessee Lady Vols name, logo and brand at the Ray & Lucy Hand Digital Studio on the UT campus in Knoxville, Tennessee on Thursday, September 14, 2017.

Currie was ousted as Tennessee’s athletic director on Dec. 1 and replaced by Phillip Fulmer. Since then, Currie has been on paid suspension, earning $75,000 a month, while UT considers firing him for cause.

More:Why NCAA expert says University of Tennessee, former Vols AD John Currie will reach settlement

“I’ve known John Currie since he was the athletic director at Kansas State University. Learning from someone with his achievements and experience will be invaluable to our students,” RMU President Chris Howard, who is a member of the College Football Playoff selection committee, said in a news release.

Currie’s stint at RMU will run from March 19-23. He will participate in sport management courses, meet with RMU’s sports management advisory board and engage with other university faculty and staff.

“We are pleased to be able to provide our sport management students with the opportunity to learn from someone who continues to have such an influential career in athletics administration,” Michelle Patrick, dean of the RMU School of Business, said in a news release.

More:Phillip Fulmer outlines vision for Tennessee Vols as athletic director

Robert Morris is a Division I school with 16 sports.

In addition to sharing with RMU students, faculty and staff in a group setting, Currie will hold office hours during his week of work, giving students an opportunity to meet 1-on-1 with him, according to the school.

“I have extraordinary respect for Dr. Howard, and I am very impressed at what RMU is achieving under his guidance,” Currie said in a news release. “I’m looking forward to getting to know the university’s leadership and spending time in the wonderful city of Pittsburgh,” said Currie. “Most of all I’m excited to interact with RMU students.”

Currie’s stint as Tennessee’s AD lasted eight months. He was fired amid a football coaching search that became a national punchline after UT’s attempt to hire Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano unraveled after news of the impending hire leaked and was met by a wave of backlash from some fans, donors and politicians. The Vols then fielded several rejections from candidates.

One of Currie's final acts was pursuing Washington State coach Mike Leach. He didn’t get a chance to see that through. Chancellor Beverly Davenport removed him from office after he returned to Knoxville from talking with Leach.

After Currie was booted, Fulmer hired Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt on Dec. 7.

Before serving as UT’s AD, Currie was Kansas State’s athletic director for eight years. He was a UT administrator before leaving for Kansas State.

If Tennessee fires Currie without cause, it would owe him a buyout of $5.15 million, according to the terms of his contract, paid in monthly installments throughout the duration of his contract, which runs through June 30, 2022. He would have a duty to mitigate the damages. The parties could also negotiate a settlement.