Randy Shannon Apparently Not Tennessee Defensive Coordinator

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 9: Head coach Randy Shannon of the Miami Hurricanes watches second half action against the Florida State Seminoles on October 9, 2010 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Hurricanes 45-17. (Photo by Joel Auerbach/Getty Images)

Despite receiving a welcome from at least one Tennessee player, Randy Shannon doesn't appear to be the next Vols defensive coordinator at the moment.

The Tennessee Volunteers need a new defensive coordinator after losing Justin Wilcox to the Washington Huskies. The first reported candidate was Miami Hurricanes defensive coordinator Randy Shannon, and it wasn't entirely speculation that led to his name coming out.

For one thing, at least one Vols player (kicker Michael Palardy) publicly (yes, even protected Twitter accounts count as public) welcomed Shannon aboard:

@BarrettSallee Tennessee kicker...RT @mpalardy1: Welcome coach randy shannon to the volunteer family! #VFL

Seemed like a mighty quick turnaround, especially for a program with as much going on as Tennessee has. But coach Derek Dooley didn't introduce Shannon at Tuesday's press conference, as some had presumed he might, and didn't mention any outstanding specific names as potential candidates.

Via Rocky Top Talk:

He did acknowledge that he would act "the quicker the better" in hiring a defensive coordinator due to the sensitive time before signing day, etc., but he would "not compromise" in making that hire. He'll still go through the process of interviews, etc. He also said he didn't know the difference in discussions and "formal" discussions but indicated that he has had conversations with candidates. Dooley stated that "the most trying month of a head coach is January because coaches are free agents and recruits are free agents."

For more on the Vols, visit Tennessee blog Rocky Top Talk.