After being rebuffed by Clemson’s Kevin Steele earlier this week, Tennessee now appears to be at least taking a peek at the NFL in an effort to fill their defensive coordinator vacancy.
According to the St. Petersburg Times, the Volunteers have been in contact with Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebackers coach Joe Barry about the position. And Barry seems very receptive to their overtures.
“Of course, I’m very interested,’' Barry said. “Yes, it’s college football. But you’re talking about the chance to be a defensive coordinator at a big-time program like Tennessee in the Southeastern Conference. It would be a good opportunity. We’ll see what happens.”
Barry has no ties to new head coach Derek Dooley -- “I really didn’t know coach Dooley from the man in the moon.” -- but he does have ties to former UT coordinator Monte Kiffin and his system, which is something the new coach wants to keep in place. Barry was on the staff when Monte Kiffin was Tampa Bay’s coordinator, so he’s obviously had an insider’s look at Kiffin’s style of defense.
Barry spoke to Dooley about the opening last weekend, although he’s yet to receive a job offer.