Vol fans convinced Petersen is heading to Tennessee

HuskyClaws said:

I probably shouldn't be doing this, but having never before witnessed such over-the-top reactions to utterly unsubstantiated rumors in all my life, I feel compelled to inject a dose of reality into this world...

I've had a working relationship with Chris Petersen for the last 2.5 years. I can assure you, with absolute certainty, not only has he never had an ounce of interest in the Tennessee job, he has no interest in leaving Washington at all.

A few comically incorrect assertions made on this forum I can clear up right now:

1. The notion he has a bad relationship with the AD is totally absurd. Chris and Jen not only work well together, but the athletic department bends over backwards to accommodate any suggestion or request made by the football staff. There is mutual respect and appreciation on both sides, and anyone implying otherwise is flat out lying or been lied to.

2. The belief Chris is dissatisfied or frustrated with a perceived "lack of exposure," is equally as comedic as the misconceptions listed above. His complaint was specific, and addressed an issue that hadn't occurred until this year. He was frustrated by he fact up until that point in the season, his team hadn't played a single game that started before 8PM Eastern time. The issue had nothing to do with the school, but with the conference TV deal, which has been justifiably ripped apart by anyone who's taken the time to study it. It was an unprecedented scheduling pattern he's been told will change next season.

3. Chris is unhappy with his pay. Again, just hilarious. During the last contract negotiation which extended his agreement through 2023, he didn't even make himself the focus. The biggest variable during discussions was actually the pay of his assistants, which resulted in one becoming the highest paid assistant coach in the program history. Again, Chris pretty much gets what he wants.

4. Petersen is looking to leave Washington. Laughably incorrect. He loves the area, loves the school, loves the community, and feels the media isn't oppressive or overbearing. Washington was always a destination spot for him, as it affords him the opportunity to run a big program while also having room to breathe. He is an internally driven man with little patience for addressing outside expectations. It all just fits.

Furthermore, just on a personal level, the idea of secret discussions would make Petersen sick. If he had interest in another job to the point he engaged in discussions, he would be up front and notify Jen - it's just his style. In turn, preparations would have been made within the offices for a possible departure, and that never happened. It was business as usual up here, because Chris leaving wasn't a potententiality that required attention.

Here's what I can tell you. Contact was made, just like prior years from USC and Texas, and they were politely turned away. I don't know if it was made by Currie himself.

Tennessee did contact Mike Leach. I don't know what became of those discussions, but Leach WAS open to leaving Wazzu.

And just in case any of you are interested in an outside perspective, most people in the profession believe Tennessee should be focusing on a young, hungry coaching talent eager to make a name for himself. The way you get through these distractions and storylines is by bringing on ambition big enough to crush them.

Good luck.