(Yeah, good luck with that.)
It’s been exactly 35 days since the name “Bryce Brown” has been mentioned on this site. Unfortunately, that streak has come to an end.
During his time with the media Friday, Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley gave what amounted to a State of the Bryce address, attempting to update the best he could what exactly is going on with the talented but mercurial running back.
On March 18, Brown left the football program but not the university. Since then, there’s been speculation that he would join his brother at Kansas State, would/wouldn’t return to the Vols, or would officially join Ringling Brothers for their fall tour* amongst other rumor and innuendo.
(*That’s not true. Yet.)
Much like it’s been the past four months, Dooley really has no clue where this is headed and what the ultimate outcome will be because there’s been little contact with the player.
“I have not met with Bryce. I promise you, I haven’t met with him,” Dooley said. “There’s nothing new -- which shocks you, I know. He was in town when I was leaving. I anticipate us talking before he leaves town.
“I feel the same way that I felt since he left, that he’s not a part of our team. The only reason this is dragging is because he hasn’t told me he wants a release to a certain school, and he’s never told me he wants to come back.”
The situation, however, could be coming to a head in the near future. Dooley said “at some point, he’s going to have to ask for a release -- which I expect will be soon.”
Still, the head coach -- as he’s done throughout this latest saga involving Brown -- refuses to completely close the door on a return.
“It’s no different than what I said several months ago,” Dooley said. “It starts with (whether) he wants to return with his heart in it the right way, and if his teammates would embrace him back. I’m sure they (would), because we’ve talked about it.
“We’ll have to go one step at a time, but I think all that’s premature, because I still don’t plan on him being on our team.”