Report: Tennessee pauses hiring amid recruiting investigation

Tennessee paused hiring for staff vacancies and has yet to extend contracts for assistant coaches as Volunteers officials investigate whether recruiting violations occurred within the program, sources told ESPN's Mark Schlabach.

Reports surfaced in December that Tennessee compliance department officials had interviewed current players, recruits, assistant coaches, student volunteers, and other athletics department members as part of an inquiry into the team's recruiting practices.

This week, the Volunteers announced they had hired attorneys to assist in their internal investigation. The attorneys have interviewed current players regarding alleged improper benefits and other rules violations, according to Schlabach.

Sources told Schlabach that Tennessee's recruitment of Amarius Mims - the No. 19 overall player on the 2021 ESPN 300 - is part of the compliance department's inquiry.

Additionally, sophomore running back Eric Gray's absence from the Volunteers' regular-season finale was reportedly related to the department's investigation.

Tennessee assistants with deals set to expire at the end of January include wide receivers coach Tee Martin and inside linebackers coach Brian Niedermeyer.

The Volunteers, who finished the 2020 campaign with a disappointing 3-7 record, also have vacancies at defensive line coach and offensive line coach.