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Not all anti-Mike Hamilton

By David Paschall 4 min read

photo University of Tennessee Athletic Director Mike Hamilton, right, announces his resignation along side Chancellor Jimmy Cheek Tuesday, June 7, 2011 at Neyland Stadium. His departure comes in the wake of an NCAA investigation into alleged wrongdoing by UT athletics. Hamilton, who succeeded Doug Dickey as men’s athletic director on July 1, 2003, will receive a $1.335 million buyout over the next 36 months.

Mike Hamilton’s coaching hires as University of Tennessee athletic director played out to mixed reviews. So did reaction to his resignation among the school’s biggest Chattanooga-area supporters.

“I may be one of the only ones who is sad today, and I may not be able to run for dogcatcher tomorrow,” said Trey White, the owner of Athens Distributing and a former Big Orange Club president. “I just think there have been some unfortunate things that have gone on in the athletic department with some coaches that I don’t necessarily think he ought to be held responsible for. I think he is incredibly devoted to his faith and his family, and I know he is devoted to that university.”

Hamilton resigned Tuesday after eight years, the first several of which had far more highs than lows. In the 2007-08 academic year, Tennessee came within a whisker of winning the SEC football championship game against LSU, won the SEC men’s basketball title with a 14-2 record and claimed an eighth NCAA women’s basketball title under Pat Summitt.

A suspect entered the Iberia Bank on the corner of University Ave. and 65th St. on Tuesday morning and took an undisclosed amount of money. Authorities are still searching for the suspect.

Iberia Bank on University robbed

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The past few years, however, have been marred by the hiring and bolting of football coach Lane Kiffin, four years of baseball futility under Todd Raleigh and former men’s basketball coach Bruce Pearl lying to NCAA investigators. Tennessee will go before the NCAA Committee on Infractions this Saturday to address 12 infractions in football and men’s basketball, but John Thornton has been upset with Hamilton since his handling of Phillip Fulmer’s forced resignation as football coach in November 2008.