By all accounts, Clemson defensive coordinator Kevin Steele had an offer in hand to take the same position on Derek Dooley‘s Tennessee coaching staff.
If that’s accurate, and a report from the Chattanooga Times Free Press is as well, Steele turned down a figure approaching $1 million -- if not more.
According to the Times Free Press, two sources have stated that UT was (is?) willing to offer up seven-figures annually for the “right” defensive coordinator. Last season, The school paid defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin in the neighborhood of $1.2 million in his first and, as it turns out, only season in Knoxville, so there is precedence.
And, as it turns out, Steele might not have been the only coach to turn down the Volunteers -- and the cement truck full of cash that apparently comes with it.
The Times Free Press also reports that Alabama coordinator Kirby Smart, who turned down a lucrative offer from Georgia earlier this month to stay with the Tide, did the same with the Volunteers vacancy. Additionally, South Carolina Ellis Johnson was reportedly a target but turned it down as well.
Who the Vols return to now to coach their defense remains uncertain. Whoever it is, however, seems in line for a significant upgrade in pay.