Randy Smith
You have to hand it to new University of Tennessee Chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport. Just a few weeks after taking over in Knoxville, she stunned the SEC world by naming John Currie as the Vols' new athletic director. For weeks and even months now, we've heard that it was either going to be former head football coach Phillip Fulmer or current UTC athletic director David Blackburn. Several fan polls showed a distinct favorability for Blackburn, while Fulmer supposedly had the support of most of the "money people" involved in UT athletics. Dr. Davenport obviously has no regard for either faction. She has made it clear the new AD was going to be her hire, with no influence being accepted from anywhere. She did choose a Tennessee guy. Currie worked in the UT athletic department from 2003 until 2009 when he was named the new AD at Kansas State. His resume is impressive and he is a very viable candidate for the position, which he will assume on April first, (aka Aril Fools' Day)
John Currie is not the guy that Tennessee fans were expecting. His name was mentioned early on as a possible candidate, but was never really taken seriously as Blackburn and Fulmer seemed to dominate all early stories and discussions. Since former AD Dave Hart didn't officially retire until June of 2017, it was expected that Dr. Davenport would take her time in naming a successor; maybe even waiting until later in April or May to make the hire. She chose to make the choice known on February 28th, sending shock waves throughout the Big Orange Nation.
David Blackburn, who publicly stated that he indeed wanted the Tennessee job, was never really contacted officially about it. UTC fans may be breathing a sigh of relief now, but Blackburn will eventually land a power five conference AD job. He is simply too good and too well known. Blackburn was reportedly leading a fan poll with 70 percent approval as the next Tennessee athletic director, but obviously fans had no real say in the matter.
Then there's Phillip Fulmer. The man who has given more than thirty years of his life and career to Tennessee, the man who is second behind General Bob Neyland in career wins, and the man who led the Volunteers to their last national championship in 1998. He has to really feel as if he's been slapped in the face today. You see, John Currie was an assistant to Mike Hamilton in 2008 when Fulmer was fired, sending the football program into a downward spiral; one that after three coaches and eight seasons is still not headed in the other direction.
There is also someone else to consider. Former Vol Peyton Manning, who was supposedly on a selection committee at one time, reportedly was really pushing Coach Fulmer for the job. He may also feel as if he's been slapped as well.
So Dr. Davenport, you have made your bed within the University of Tennessee Department of Athletics. And now, you must sleep there. I'm not arguing about your choice.....I believe John Currie will do a good job as your athletic director. But that's what he is....your athletic director. It may take the Big Orange faithful a while to warm up to him and even longer to warm up to you. And as far as Tennessee icons Phillip Fulmer and Peyton Manning are concerned, it may take them a lot longer to feel comfortable supporting the Volunteers. We all really hope you know what you're doing.
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Randy Smith has been covering sports on radio, television and print for the past 45 years. After leaving WRCB-TV in 2009, he has written two books, and has continued to free-lance as a play-by-play announcer. His career has included a 17-year stretch as host of the Kickoff Call In Show on the University of Tennessee’s prestigious Vol Network. He has been a member of the Vol Network staff for 30 years. He has done play-by-play on ESPN, ESPN II, CSS, and Fox SportSouth, totaling more than 500 games, and served as a well-known sports anchor on Chattanooga television for more than a quarter-century. In 2003, he became the first television broadcaster to be inducted into the Greater Chattanooga Area Sports Hall of Fame. Randy and his wife Shelia reside in Hixson. They have two married children, Christi and Chris Perry; Davey and Alison Smith. They have five grandchildren, Coleman, Boone, Mattingly, DellaMae, and CoraLee.