College Coaching Carousel Nuggets: Updates on candidates for Tennessee; Where will Butch Jones land?

It’s the most wonderful time of year. Coaching rumor season! Our friends at the mothership (SBNation.com) have worked together to bring us some fresh nuggets of information this Sunday.

First things first, here’s the update on Tennessee.

Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden has met with athletic director John Currie about the vacancy. This was a procedural move, and it helped Currie with factions of Tennessee fans and boosters who have long been obsessed with Gruden.

Mississippi State head coach Dan Mullen and Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano are candidates.

Current interim head coach Brady Hoke is not considered a candidate, and could go to the NFL for a position job.

That jives with everything we’ve heard to this point. Gruden is where everything begins and it sounds like we won’t get anywhere until he gives John Currie a yes or a (much more likely) no. Mullen seems to be plan B.

It’s what comes after Mullen where things get messy. You’ve got a whole slew of candidates that really don’t stand out. Schiano is in that group to me, along with Mike Norvell. Most Tennessee fans certainly don’t want to get into this pool of candidates.

The report states that Florida wants Scott Frost, but they also have some concerns. They report Chip Kelly is interested in the Gators, but Kelly has his eye on the (potential) UCLA gig.

Gus Malzahn and Mike Norvell were named as candidates for Arkansas, with Jimbo Fisher mentioned as a replacement for Malzahn at Auburn. Wouldn’t that be something?

Norvell’s name is also being connected to the Ole Miss and Mississippi State jobs. The SEC West is going to get wild this cycle, it seems.

Butch Jones — the now former Tennessee head coach — has been contacted by Oregon State. The Beavers moved on from Gary Anderson early in October. Jim McElwain was also mentioned as a candidate here.

The report also mentions Tennessee offensive coordinator Larry Scott as a candidate for South Florida, if Charlie Strong moves on.