On Sunday, November 26, 2017 the University of Tennessee’s athletic department announced its intent to name current defensive coordinator for the Ohio State Buckeyes, and former NFL head coach Greg Schiano as the Volunteers’ next head coach. What came next no one could possibly have seen coming. An established coach with a career win percentage of .504% being run out of an opportunity at one of the most well-known schools in the country.
Why did this all happen? Greg Schiano had been a defensive coach for the Penn State Nittany Lions from 1990-1995, right amidst the child sex abuse scandal surrounding long-time coach Jerry Sandusky. In 2016, a court released Greg Schiano’s testimony which claimed he had no knowledge of any abuse, while another coach, Mike McQueary, claims Greg came into his office ‘white as a ghost’ and said he had just seen Jerry doing something to a boy in the shower. This lack of moral awareness is where we find the University of Tennessee’s protest, and a moral win for football across the country.
Let me be clear, Greg Schiano was not charged with anything in regards to the Penn State scandal, and it’s still unclear how much Greg really knew, but what was out there was enough evidence for the Volunteer fan base to come to a conclusion, Schiano was wrong for the program.
At around 2PM on the 26th, Dan Wolkan of USA Today Sports broke the news that the Volunteers would move forward with Schiano as coach.
This was immediately hit by angry reacts from the entire Twittersphere. Sports reporters and fans alike took to the internet to express their anger, disdain, and disappointment with the program. People venting about the reputation hit University of Tennessee would take, and the ramifications of future recruiting for the school. But many students looked at it at a more macro-level, asking the University about their morals and values. While the allegations surrounding Schiano are not confirmed, the fan base decided they want no part of him regardless of his role in the scandal.
By about 4PM on the same day, a few dozen students dressed in orange and white, with their Volunteer gear shown off, gathered near Neyland Stadium on campus to have a formal protest, a march through the streets to let their voices be heard.
Within the hour a few hundred students, adults, and faculty members were on the streets calling not only for the school to walk away from the Greg Schiano deal, but to fire John Currie, their athletic director, who the protesters felt had no feel of what the campus wanted. The Rock, a beloved rock outside the stadium was even vandalized by a student, Trip Underwood, claiming “A bigger thing than football, it comes down to morals in general.”
At about 6PM on the 26th, the protest started to die down, with plans to meet back up the next day. With a successful protest plan in place, the energized fan base was ready to take on the administration. Though it only proved necessary for one day.
At 8PM Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports reported that Schiano and University of Tennessee were working on an exit strategy and that they would no longer be considering Schiano for coach.
The entire day of November 26th was fascinating to watch as a fan of football, but also as someone researching the impact of campus protest. Rarely do we see quick reaction to protests from an administration. The reaction by the University of Tennessee and all its fan were shocking to say the least. This incident showed the power of social media, and how it can be used to mobilize a movement. Additionally, it showed that athletics, by no means, run a campus. While athletics are often the largest revenue generator, it’s important for the fan base to draw a fine line between what’s acceptable for their own morals as loyal followers of the Volunteers.
Bibliography:
Boling, Will (will_boling). “Tennessee players unanimously asked for honestly from its next head coach. They’re getting Greg Schiano. If that’s the case, obviously the players weren’t heard whatsoever by the administration.” 26 November 2017, 2:46 PM. Tweet
Feldman, Bruce (BruceFeldmanCFB). “SOURCES: There is some talk going on now between Greg Schiano’s reps & #Tennessee about an exit strategy of what has become a very volatile situation. Paperwork was in progress. “They’ve spooked them all,” said a source. “It’s a hot mess.” 26 November 2017, 8:01 PM. Tweet.
Fernandez Jr, Louis (LouisWBIR). “This is Trip Underwood. He Painted the Rock. He’s says it’s “A bigger thing than football, it comes down to morals in general.” 26 November 2017, 5:47 PM. Tweet, pic accompanied.
Hara, Amanda (AmandaHara). “UT fans protest possible hiring of #Shiano as head coach @wvlt.” 26 November 2017, 4:31 PM. Tweet, pic accompanied.
Haynesworth, Albert (hayneworthiii). “I’m just going to say this if we hire Greg Schiano as our next coach my options will be open to which college program I will be donating my TIME and MONEY to. (No disrespect to GS) but if UT leaders don’t take football serious then I will find the program that will!!!” 26 November 2017, 3:03 PM. Tweet.
Hooley, Bruce (BHOOLZ). “At 1 p.m., Schiano was supposedly in at Tennessee. Six hours later, he’s likely out. Social Media, man. It’s changed the world.” 26 November 2017, 7:04 PM, Tweet.
Long, Donovan (WVLTDonovan). “Volunteers fans marching to the university athletic center to protest UT’s possible decision to hire Greg Schiano as its new head football coach.” 26 November 2017, 5:19 PM. Tweet, video accompanied.
Robinson, Grant Ford (Grant_Robinson_). “Just over 2 dozen students gathering to protest after reports of Greg Schiano’s hiring as UT’s next football coach.” 26 November 2017, 4:02 PM. Tweet, pic accompanied.
Robinson, Grant Ford (Grant_Robinson_). “Schiano protest winding down for tonight. Students say they will come back tomorrow at noon at Anderson Training Center @wbir” 26 November 2017, 6:16 PM. Tweet, pic accompanied.
Sherman, Rodger. “Tennessee Fans’ Veto of Greg Schiano’s Hire Is an Unprecedented Stunner.” The Ringer. 27 November 2017. Web. 27 November 2017.
Wolken, Dan (DanWolken). “Tennessee is finalizing the deal with Schiano. Hopes to name him alter today, per person with direct knowledge.” 26 November 2017, 1:40 PM. Tweet.
(All images from cited sources)