Report: New AD Danny White Targeting 'Offensive Minded' Head Coach

Tennessee announced the hire of new Athletic Director Danny White yesterday, and he will meet with the media later today, but it appears he is zeroing in on an offensive-minded coach, according to a report from John Brice. White may even have his top candidate in mind.

Brice reported: “He (White) told Tennessee on Wednesday night that he has an offensive coach(es) ready to go, and that apparently helped Tennessee get the deal done quickly,” said the source, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Brice added to his report: "The reasoning is two-fold: An exciting, offensive mind whose team can score in bunches is the type of hire that the Vols are likely to need for a disenfranchised fan base unquestionably tortured through almost a decade-and-a-half of misery and coaches.

Brice's report also indicated that multiple sources discussed Tony Elliot as a strong candidate for White to Pursue. Elliot has been at Clemson with Dabo Swinney,and he is currently the co-offensive coordinator and runnings back coach.

Elliot is believed to be a rising star in the coaching ranks, and he has a strong relationship with White, who interviewed him for the Central Florida job following the departure of Scott Frost to Nebraska.

Brice quoted a college coach saying, “Tony Elliott, there is not a better person in the world. He is top-shelf. He is just as good a person as there is around. He definitely has the resumè and has done the stuff you’re supposed to do to get a shot at a job like Tennessee.”

Obviously, Elliot is not the only candidate, as we have been told White will be thorough in his process. It is worth noting that Elliott has crossed paths with Kevin Steele, which could be instrumental in retaining him to the defensive staff.

Danny White will answer questions from the media in roughly two hours time, and we will have live coverage on social media at VR2 on SI.