“I’m Still Here,” Says UT’s Strength Coach… For Now

 Send This Story To A Friend

The dismissal/resignation of Mark Smith is not yet finished, but Tennessee has already targeted a new strength coach — former Tennessee track team member Aaron Ausmus.

Dave Hooker of The Knoxville News Sentinel is reporting that as of this afternoon, Smith is still in his office, amidst packed boxes.

“I’m still here,” was the only thing Smith would say.

Smith, who was hired away from South Carolina in December, would receive no buyout of his deal if he resigns.

If he’s dismissed, he will probably receive the remainder of his $190,000 contract.  So you can do the math as to what the hold-up is.

Ausmus, meanwhile, has worked as a strength and conditioning coach at Southern Cal and at Ole Miss, the latter stop under current Vol assistant Ed Orgeron… the former with both Orgeron and Lane Kiffin.



Here’s the rub for Tennessee at this point: rumors are already swirling about why Smith might be leaving.

If there was anything rule-related that led to the disagreement between Kiffin and Smith, the Vols need to hope it was Smith who was in the wrong and not Kiffin.

With as many enemies as Kiffin has created already — especially in South Carolina — the idea of Smith telling his former Gamecock chums, “they wanted me to (fill in the blank)” is not a pleasant one for UT.