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UPDATE (2:42 PM, 11/29/17): Multiple reports have refuted this report from Hyams. We have a running tracker going here.
Volquest.com is reporting that Tennessee moved on from Brohm. It is still unclear what happened.
With @Brent_Hubbs, Tennessee moves on from Jeff Brohm and turns focus toward others. https://t.co/IdntthurMr
— Jesse Simonton (@JesseReSimonton) November 29, 2017
The most interesting coaching search of all time is over — reportedly. The Tennessee Volunteers “will soon announce the hiring of Jeff Brohm,” according to Jimmy Hyams.
Tennessee will soon announce the hiring of Purdue coach Jeff Brohm after going 6-6 this year. Brohm was 30-10 at Western Kentucky. Buyout is $5 million, drops to $4 million Dec 5. Still owes Purdue about $750k for leaving WKY.
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) November 29, 2017
Of course, this can’t just be drama free. There are some conflicting reports out there which we are monitoring.
Purdue University football coach Jeff Brohm was at Christian County High School today to visit 2018 commit Cory Trice. According to Trice, Brohm said he’s not leaving the Boilermakers for Tennessee. https://t.co/TKmPnJIn9L
— Chris Jung (@ChrisJungKNE) November 29, 2017
A Purdue spokesperson told a reporter this morning that Brohm hadn't even spoken to Tennessee. This story is amazing. https://t.co/sY2wOnLYCi
— Ben Kercheval (@BenKercheval) November 29, 2017
Hyams is sticking to his report.
@JimmyHyams reporting Tennessee has found its next head football coach... pic.twitter.com/zKtJmlfr5s
— Bob Ley (@BobLeyESPN) November 29, 2017
ESPN’s Chris Low says otherwise.
Told by both sides that no deal is in place between Tennessee and Purdue's Jeff Brohm and not close to being done at this point, although there have been discussions.
— Chris Low (@ClowESPN) November 29, 2017
We have a running tracker on Brohm going here. What a mess.
Brohm was 6-6 is his one season at Purdue. He was in year one of a total rebuild, following Purdue’s 3-9 season in 2016. Brohm was at Western Kentucky before that, where he followed Willie Taggart and Bobby Petrino. He went 30-10 during his time with the Hilltoppers.
He is 46 years old. Head coaching experience seemed to be a must for this search for John Currie and the Tennessee decision makers. Brohm fit that criteria, with four seasons as a head coach.
Background
Brohm spent seven seasons as a backup quarterback in the NFL and played one season in the XFL. He attended Louisville, where he started at quarterback in 1992 and 1993.
He returned to Louisville after his playing career was over, holding multiple assistant roles. Brohm was a quarterbacks coach, assistant head coach, passing game coordinator and offensive coordinator during his six year stint at Louisville.
Brohm coached quarterbacks at FAU, UAB and Illinois before landing the offensive coordinator job at Western Kentucky under Petrino. He was promoted to head coach when Petrino left for Louisville. After three successful seasons as the head coach at Western Kentucky, Brohm bolted for the Purdue job.