Each week during the football season, former Tennessee assistant coach Doug Mathews joins us to share his thoughts on the Vols. Join The Coach each Saturday morning at 9 a.m. EST for a Big Orange-slanted look at the day's action on Forklift Systems Football Saturday, and again each Sunday morning at 9 a.m. E.S.T. for Big Orange Sunday, presented by Superior Seed & Supply on WGFX FM, 104.5 in Nashville, for a look each week at the state of Tennessee football, what just happened, and what lies ahead.

It goes without saying that the coaching search is all that's on anyone's mind at the moment. What's your two-cents on how things are progressing to date?

We've all heard the name that are out there, I don't really have a lot to add to that. I do think that we're looking at somewhere around December 12th before we get a resolution. I also think that we're going to end up with a hire from a candidate whose name isn't one of those that's prominently out there right now.

I doubt that any of the so-called favorites, if there really is such a thing, are going to end up as the next head coach here. My opinion is that it will be somebody we're not talking a whole lot about right now.

I have a lot more specific thoughts about what the next guy needs to do when he gets hired. There's a great deal to do, a great deal to do that's important and that needs to get done in a hurry.

Number one, he's got to look at that current staff and decide who he wants to retain. That's the most important thing. I'd be very surprised if he doesn't at least keep Jay Graham. In all likelihood I think you'll see Jay back on the staff next year. But that's the first decision the new coach has to make.

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