The rumors surrounding Tennessee’s coaching search continue to swirl… and they’re swirling all over the map.

In further testament to the fact that athletic director Mike Hamilton is playing things close to the vest, the three most-common rumors this weekend all involved different “front-runners.”

Sources have told MrSEC’s Ace Reporter, Jimmy Hyams, that Mike Leach was set to interview with Tennessee yesterday in Dallas.  (Few people expect Leach to wow anyone on an interview… that’s where he struggled with the Miami administration two years ago.) 

Leach’s loss on Saturday certainly works in UT’s favor.  If they are seriously interested in the former Kentucky assistant, they’ll no longer have to wait til after a possible BCS title game to get him.

Lane Kiffin’s name also got a lot of play this weekend, possibly fueled by his agent Jimmy Sexton.  According to one media member, Ed Orgeron (yes, that Ed Orgeron) is already onboard the Kiffin staff that would head to Knoxville if hired.

Finally, the national press continue to project Brian Kelly as the Vols’ next coach.  As we reported here last week, Hamilton has had Kelly on his radar for more than a year.

If that’s not enough for you, some sources continue to tell Knoxville media members not to take Butch Davis’ name off the list.

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