SportsByBrooks.com reported Tuesday afternoon that, according to a source, the hiring of Gray is "imminent". Gray apparently met with the school's athletic director yesterday afternoon and was told an official decision would come on Wednesday according to SBB.
The Memphis Commercial Appeal confirmed SBB's report that Gray interviewed for the vacancy Tuesday "and is emerging as the likely candidate to replace Tommy West."
Then finally, ESPN.com's Joe Schad tweeted -- hope he excused himself first -- late last night that Gray is expected to get the gig but an official announcement likely won't come until after the Tigers' final game this Friday. Schad also reported early this morning in a "real" story that, according to multiple people familiar with the process, the job is Gray's and reiterated that an announcement won't come until after West has coached the finale against Tulsa.
Larry Porter is the other coach still under consideration, and was believed to have been the front runner from early on in the process do to his ties to the school -- he was a running back for the Tigers -- and his ability to recruit -- the LSU assistant is a two-time Rivals.com recruiter of the year.
However, Gray has come on very strong and very fast of late after being, at least publicly, a latecomer to the search. The part owner of the Redskins, FedEx founder and CEO Arthur Fred Smith, is also a major booster of the university. Smith's son, Cannon, is a quarterback for Memphis after transferring from Miami of Florida.
Interestingly, if either Gray or Porter are hired, they will be the second African-American head coach in as many openings hired this offseason; Stanford assistant Willie Taggart was tapped as Western Kentucky's new coach earlier this week.
FedEx founder and CEO FRED Smith, not Arthur Smith.
Not a good choice no head coaching experience and no recruiting experience in collage for over10 years. Not good to let the main school supporter pick the coach. I have supported the school for 45 years worst decision I have seen them make