When completely full, the University of Tennessee's Neyland Stadium holds 102,455 football fanatics. When completely full, UT's Thompson-Boling Arena holds 21,678 basketball backers.
Why is this important as the Volunteers brass begin their search for a new basketball coach after Friday's firing of Donnie Tyndall?
Because no school in the Southeastern Conference has more seats it can sell for both football and men's basketball than Tennessee.
And because of that, UT should be able -- at least theoretically -- to generate more revenue than any other school in the 14-team league. Which means if its football and men's basketball coaches win big, they should not only be among the highest paid coaches in the conference, but also the country, since no league generates money like the SEC.
Yet here was UT athletic director Dave Hart again trying to get by on the cheap 341 days ago by bringing in Tyndall for $1.6 million. Does anyone think that a bargain today? Does anyone think such a penny-wise-pound-foolish mindset should be tried again?
When Alabama, which is the closest in number to the Vols' 124,133 seats for football and basketball with a total of 117,204, is apparently willing to offer Wichita State coach Gregg Marshall more than $3 million a year to upgrade its basketball program, shouldn't UT be swimming with those same sharks?
You think money can't by happiness when it comes to your favorite sports team?
Consider this: Alabama's Nick Saban is the highest-paid college football coach on the planet at $7.1 million per year, which is what you might expect of a coach who's won three national championships in the last six years.
Also consider this, though basketball never generates the revenue that football does, even at Kentucky, where John Calipari makes $6.5 million a year, more than every other SEC coach and second nationally to Duke's Mike Krzyzewski.
Cal has taken the Wildcats to three of the last four Final Fours heading into Saturday night's Midwest Regional final against Notre Dame, has won one NCAA title and played for another. Think anyone in the Bluegrass considers that anything but money well spent?
The good news is that Hart and his higher-ups at UT seem finally to understand that you've probably got to spend money to make money. That's presumably why they've upgraded football coach Butch Jones to $3.6 million a year (good for ninth in the league) after just his second year on the job and first winning season.
Or as Hart noted Friday concerning both the need and the desire to pay the next coach more than Tyndall's $1.6 million, which was eighth in the SEC this past year: "The marketplace, particularly in intercollegiate athletics ... is shifting dramatically for leadership positions. You have to be willing to get into the marketplace."
Assuming he's sincere, at what marketplace should UT be willing to shop? Neiman Marcus? Kohl's? Wal-Mart?
Let's start with the fact that the Donnie Disaster has stripped Hart of something every AD desires from his fan base with a new hire: patience. He now needs an instant winner, which is why the school needs to strongly consider spending up to $3.2 million a year for a near-certain success.
And just who would that be? Wichita's Marshall would be a no-brainer if Bama or some other big-spender doesn't beat the Vols to the punch. Dayton's Archie Miller and Xavier's Chris Mack would seem to be the next biggest names on that list.
There's also Rick Barnes to consider after Texas cut him loose Saturday. Especially since he's reached a Final Four, produced such NBA talents as Kevin Durant and LaMarcus Aldridge and once guided Clemson to the Sweet 16.
But let's say the Vols don't want to go that high. Much as Tyndall had achieved success at the mid-major level, and Cuonzo Martin before him, and certainly Bruce Pearl before Martin, there are plenty of candidates to be had between $1.5 and $2 million, which would double or triple their current salaries.
Former Duke point guard Bobby Hurley has worked wonders at Buffalo the last two years. Steve Prohm at Murray State won 31 games in 2012 and won 25 straight this season. Richard Pitino -- Rick's kid -- won the NIT a year ago during his first year at Minnesota. Stephen F. Austin's Brad Underwood has taken the up-tempo Lumberjacks to the last two NCAAs. UAB's Jerod Haase should also be considered.
The most intriguing candidate might even be a Knoxville native, Belmont's Rick Byrd, who's won more than 600 games, reached the NCAA seven of the last 10 years and scared Virginia in the second round of this year's tourney.
Then there's UT-Chattanooga coach Will Wade, who may have yet to win a conference tournament game but is considered one of the four or five brightest young coaches in the sport, and could certainly be had for closer to $1 million than $3 million.
And just because you never say never, despite Hart's declaration that he wouldn't consider anyone with past NCAA issues, there's Auburn's Pearl. Every UT message board on Friday was filled with "Bring-Back-Bruce" wishes. It 99.9 percent won't happen. But ...
What seems likely to happen soon is that either Marshall or VCU's Shaka Smart will land at Texas. Failing to join the Longhorns, Marshall goes to the next highest bidder. Just a hunch, but Haase, Hurley, Mack, Miller or Pitino becomes a Vol.
Regardless, money needs to quit being an issue. As has been proven more than once the past 25 years in Knoxville, sometimes you get what you pay for. And when you have more seats to sell in both football and basketball than any other school in the SEC, it seems you would be wise to give your fans a reason to buy them.
Contact Mark Wiedmer at mwiedmer@timesfreepress.com.