Greg Schiano's name has surfaced as a potential candidate for the open head coach position at the University of Tennessee. That's after a report Tennessee may be finalizing a deal with with the Ohio State University defensive coordinator.
Tennessee House of Representatives, Rep. Eddie Smith (R-Tenn.), said he hopes the rumors about Schiano becoming head coach of Tennessee are not true.
Our Tennessee standards mean something, and a Greg Schiano hire would be anathema to all that our University and our community stand for. I sincerely hope that these rumors are not true, because even serious consideration would be unacceptable.
— Eddie Smith (@RepEddieSmith) November 26, 2017
Rep. Jason Zachary (R-Tenn.) said he has reach out to the UT Athletic Director John Currie about the potential head coach shift.
I have reached out to @John_Currie and others in administration at UT expressing that WE as a TN Community do not approve of Schiano. #higherstandards
— Rep. Jason Zachary (@JasonZacharyTN) November 26, 2017
Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett called on AD Currie and Chancellor Davenport to reconsider.
Schiano is clearly the wrong choice. I hope @John_Currie & @ChancellorDav choose someone else. #KeepLooking
— Tim Burchett (@timburchett) November 27, 2017
Former quarterback for the Vols, Heath Shuler, said he's excited to hear the news of Schiano potentially becoming head coach.
Very excited, to hear the news on the hiring of coach Greg Schiano! pic.twitter.com/GDYjHZCrko
— Heath Shuler (@HeathShuler5) November 26, 2017
However, Shuler shortly changed his position on the potential hire a few hours after the protest and wants to support the players.
Trying to be positive after several years of ups and downs. Our players need our support. Didn’t know about Penn St issues. Go Vols.
— Heath Shuler (@HeathShuler5) November 27, 2017
A third East Tennessee lawmaker is speaking out against the University of Tennessee as well. Rep. Jeremy Faison (R-Tenn.) said the "backlash will be insurmountable" to the state and to the University of Tennessee.
@UTKnoxville if you hire him, the backlash will be insurmountable and devastating to the University and the state.
— Jeremy Faison (@JeremyFaison4TN) November 26, 2017
Sen. Frank Niceley wants to hear from UT Athletics soon about the potential UT coaching hire.
Honestly I don't know this rumored UT coaching hire from #JohnAdamsHousecat. But judging from my tweet line, Somebody at #UTAthletics should be answering questions quickly.
— Sen. Frank Niceley (@SenFrankNiceley) November 26, 2017
Right now on Twitter and across most of social media, both hashtags #ShianoUT and #SchiaNO are both trending. Some lifelong Vol fans say they do not want to see Greg Schiano as the new face of Tennessee football.
Many fans are shuffling to Neyland Stadium now as they disagree with the potential hiring of Schiano.