KNOXVILLE -- The University of Tennessee has chosen the search firm and formed a six-person search committee to aid in its pursuit of a new athletics director.
The university on Friday announced it will award a contract to Turnkey Sports and Entertainment to assist in the search process for a new AD, which will be led by new chancellor Dr. Beverly Davenport, system president Dr. Joe DiPietro and the committee.
In a release, UT indicates it chose Turnkey because of "its extensive experience selecting and hiring the highest-caliber leaders exclusively in the sports arena."
Turnkey will begin seeking applications and interviewing and vetting potential candidates as soon as its purchase order is finalized, which could be "as early as next week," according to UT's release.
"I am confident with Turnkey's help, we will identify and hire the best person for the job," Davenport said in a statement. "I'm looking for a leader with a proven track record of success on and off the field.
"I will hire someone who is committed to maintaining the integrity of our program and is dedicated to the success of all of our student-athletes and all of the management of our nationally recognized athletic programs."
The six-person search committee will include former Tennessee and NFL quarterback Peyton Manning, senior associate athletics director Donna Thomas, trustee Charlie Anderson, Pilot Flying J CEO and Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam and professor Donald Bruce, UT's faculty representative to the SEC and NCAA.
Raja Jabran, the vice chairman of UT's board of trustees, will head the search committee.
"The outpouring of interest in the new AD is just as I expected," said Davenport, the interim president at Cincinnati who officially assumes her post at UT on Feb. 15. "This is the premier AD job in the country, and the passion of Big Orange Country is second to none.
"I appreciate all of the support and words of encouragement I have received. With Turnkey's help, we will conduct a thorough, nationwide search that is open to all candidates to ensure we will yield the best candidates for the job."
Former Tennessee football coach Phillip Fulmer has become a legitimate candidate for the job and has serious interest in returning to the Volunteers in such a leadership position, while many fans and media pundits believe UT Chattanooga athletic director David Blackburn is the best candidate for the job.
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.