KNOXVILLE -- Willie Mack Garza has never played or coached in the Southeastern Conference.

KNOXVILLE -- Offensive linemen Zach Fulton and Marques Pair committed to University of Tennessee football coaches Monday afternoon, becoming the Volunteers' 10th and 11th public pledges for 2010.

Like millions of other American familes, the Curran clan of Signal Mountain bought a satellite dish for the hundreds of channel choices it offers.

KNOXVILLE -- Defining moments near his high school and college graduations eventually led Aaron Ausmus to his dream job.

KNOXVILLE -- Lane Kiffin, like most college coaches, wanted to surround himself with familiar, friendly faces as soon as he took the Tennessee job in December.

Jacques Smith already has a summer job, one that allows him to put a little money in his pocket before turning his attention to his senior season with the Ooltewah High School football program. But Smith also has taken on the added chore of an unofficial recruiter for the University of Tennessee, hoping to help the Vols pocket a few more prep All-Americans.

KNOXVILLE -- The University of Tennessee football team added a ninth 2010 commitment Friday, when Jackson, Ky., fullback Channing Fugate quickly accepted a scholarship offer.

KNOXVILLE -- Football was Lance Thompson's first love since childhood, and the former Citadel Bulldog has coached at such college powers as Georgia Tech, LSU, Alabama and Tennessee.

Less than three months from the start of the college football season, the three first-year SEC head coaches have paced, prowled and propelled themselves and their programs into perplexing positions of uncertainty.

KNOXVILLE -- Even a potentially dire circumstance at quarterback hasn't changed the recruiting standards for Tennessee's new football coaching staff.

KNOXVILLE -- Tennessee men's basketball coach Bruce Pearl confirmed Friday that center Philip Jurick from East Ridge High School won't return for a second year with the program.

KNOXVILLE -- So many young basketball players are concerned with making it to the NBA.

For former Chattanooga Christian softball player Jennifer Long, playing in the Tennessee-Georgia All Star Softball game was about opportunity — an opportunity to play with some of the area's best players.

KNOXVILLE — Tyler Smith hasn’t decided whether to stay in the NBA draft or return for his senior season with the University of Tennessee men’s basketball team, Volunteers coach Bruce Pearl said Wednesday.

In six months on the job with the University of Tennessee, football coach Lane Kiffin is headed for at least his fifth NCAA violation.