Tennessee Volunteer fans are trying to get the school to not hire Greg Schiano amid reports that very thing is going to happen.
If there’s a place for twist endings in sports, it’s college football. It’s more than just a Clemson comeback or an Iron Bowl kick return, we have college football twists away from the gridiron as well.
That’s what seems to be happening in Knoxville, where fans are revolting against the potential hiring of Greg Schiano that it might not happen. Hours after it was reported that Tennessee was finalizing a deal to make Schiano its next head coach, fans have pushed back so hard that the deal might fall through.
Revolutions always start small, so consider the context of this tweet rather than laughing at the visual (even though it’s hilarious).
A small group is starting to get together at Neyland Stadium to protest a potential hiring of Greg Schiano. More cars are pulling up as I tweet. pic.twitter.com/urTpCvmvll
— Louis Fernandez Jr (@LouFernandezJr) November 26, 2017
The contingent of Vols fans upset with the potential hiring of Schiano is actually much larger than that photo implies, and it’s a movement that is growing in strength. Things have gotten to the point where it’s being rumored that Schiano doesn’t even want the job anymore.
Greg Schiano is currently concerned with the climate of the Tennessee fan base and the reaction towards reports of his contract being finalized at Tennessee. The deal may not get finalized.
— Dan Harralson (@danharralson) November 26, 2017
@UTKnoxville if you hire him, the backlash will be insurmountable and devastating to the University and the state.
— Jeremy Faison (@JeremyFaison4TN) November 26, 2017
You can’t blame him for backing away from a situation that is already volatile. He’s not that bad of a head coach, but most criticism of Schiano seems to be about who he is as a person. Allegations that he helped cover up Penn State’s child rape scandal have resurfaced, as has his treatment of players at both the college and pro level over the course of his coaching career.
There’s also the variable that Vols fans are so locked in on Jon Gruden becoming the program’s next head coach that they’ll except nothing less. That’s not happening, no matter who much they revolt against Schiano, but it might end up changing the course of the school’s football future.