KNOXVILLE -- Chris Spognardi, Tennessee's director of football operations, has been placed on paid administrative leave by the university.
Athletic department official Ryan Robinson confirmed to the Times Free Press on Wednesday morning that Spognardi's leave began on Tuesday afternoon, though no further explanation was given.
It doesn't appear to be an NCAA-related issue, but GoVols247.com reported the situation is a legal matter that prohibits further comment from Tennessee officials.
Robinson said there currently is no police report involving Spognardi.
Spognardi has been a fixture around the program as head coach Butch Jones's right-hand man, and the two are in their 10th season working together.
Formerly the assistant to the head coach with the Volunteers, Spognardi spent four seasons at Central Michigan -- two for Brian Kelly and two for Jones -- as a student assistant before becoming the program's video coordinator in 2009.
At Cincinnati Spognardi was Jones's adminstrative coordinator and then chief of staff.
With the Vols Spognardi oversees the program's day-to-day operations and "works behind-the-scenes in all aspects of the program," according to his bio page on Tennessee's official web site.
Miller to transfer
Sophomore cornerback Darrell Miller announced via Twitter on Wednesday afternoon he will transfer from Tennessee.
"I want to thank the University of Tennessee & the coaching staff for giving me the opportunity to play at such a prestigious program I wish nothing but the best to my teammates and the coaching staff," Miller posted.
The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder from Texas played in five games as a defensive reserve and special-teamer as a freshman last season, but with the Vols well stocked at his position, Miller will leave in search of more playing time.
Status updates
Jones indicated after Wednesday morning's practice that a few players were "held out" of practice for precautionary reasons, though there's "nothing serious" in terms of injuries with any specific players.
The coach did indicate freshman receiver Brandon Johnson would be out "a little bit longer" than some other players.
"Everybody wants to push the panic button," Jones said. "Gosh, I got 82 text messages about Cam Sutton. I don't know where that came from.
"We're fairly healthy right now at this stage of camp. You hold certain individuals out. You have to pick your spots in training camp of when to hold people out."
Freshman running back Carlin Fils-aime is dealing with a hand/wrist injury that will sideline him at least this week.
The same cast of five players were in noncontact green jerseys on Wednesday morning, but defensive tackle Shy Tuttle appears to be increasing his workload by the practice after moving promisingly well during some positional drills.
More details as they develop online and in Thursday's Times Free Press.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.