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Thursday, November 12, 2026Nov 12

Wiedmer: Who next to lead Vols’ athletic department?

photo Mike Hamilton speaks during a news conference announcing his resignation as athletic director at the University of Tennessee, Tuesday, June 7, 2011, in Knoxville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Wade Payne)

Inevitable.

That was University of Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton’s pointed assessment of his stunning Tuesday resignation, not mine.

Not that most folks expected him to survive long past this weekend’s appearance before the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions in Indianapolis. The best-case scenario for Hamilton was a likely reassignment within the university, which would have been understandable given his magical fundraising touch.

But the more likely ending was just what happened, though the vast majority of Volniacs probably expected him to hang on until the NCAA announced sanctions either early or late in the football season, depending on whether UT appealed.