Tennessee
What Danny White is looking for in next Tennessee baseball coach after Tony Vitello exit
Danny White is searching for the next Tennessee baseball coach at an uncommon time of year and in an unusual situation.
The totality of the situation following Tony Vitello vacating the post to become the manager of the San Francisco Giants has White taking a comprehensive look at the search.
“I’m going into this with open eyes,” White said.
White has made six hires at Tennessee, including for two of the most prominent programs. He’s now looking to fill one of the other most prominent positions on campus and replacing arguably the most popular Vols coach.
He has appointed pitching coach Frank Anderson as the interim coach and asked associate head coach Josh Elander to be a candidate for the position.
As he enters the search, White said he has “nothing specific” he is looking for in a candidate. He wants his first “data point” to come from talking to the leaders of the baseball team.
“I still want to hear their perspective, learn from that and then go into the process, but I don’t have anything particular in mind,” White said.
White’s search differs from his previous ones at Tennessee and is unique in its circumstances. Vitello’s departure is the first time an MLB franchise has hired a college baseball coach with no prior MLB experience. It also comes less than 18 months after the Vols won the national title, whereas his other coaching hires all followed necessary change.
Heupel’s six hires are football coach Josh Heupel, Lady Vols basketball coach Kim Caldwell, women’s soccer coach Joe Kirt, rowing coach Kim Cupini, cross country coach Justin Duncan and track and field coach Duane Ross.
The most consistent pattern in White’s hires stems from the choices of Heupel, Caldwell, Cupini and Ross. All four were winners lower levels and proved they could build high-level programs as head coaches.
Heupel was White’s first hire. He previously hired Heupel to coach at UCF then brought him to Tennessee shortly after he was named the athletics director. Heupel brought a big offense and questions about recruiting, but put the latter to rest at Tennessee.
Caldwell is White’s most notable choice since Heupel. White moved on from former coach Kellie Harper in April 2024 then quickly hired Caldwell. Caldwell had only one year of head coaching experience at the Division I level, but had won a national title at the Division II level and has been a high-level winner in her whole career. She brought an elite offensive system with her.
Kirt’s hiring perhaps most similar mirrors the baseball situation. He was an internal candidate after Brian Pensky dashed to Florida State. White went through the process but ultimately chose to appoint Kirt the coach instead of an outside hire.
Cupini was a proven program-builder. She built a successful program at San Diego then was a winner at SMU, where she was before she was hired at Tennessee. She won three AAC titles at SMU and the Mustangs to three consecutive NCAA Championship appearances.
Ross has a similar background, having led North Carolina A&T from 2012-22 and creating the program into a winner. He brought head coaching experience.
Duncan was a pivotal assistant at Oklahoma State, which fielded one of the nations best distance programs.
Mike Wilson covers University of Tennessee athletics. Email him at michael.wilson@knoxnews.com and follow him on X @ByMikeWilson. If you enjoy Mike’s coverage, consider a digital subscription that will allow you access to all of it.
CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — The Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation is raising concerns about the state’s population outpacing landfill capacity.
TDEC shared those concerns at a senate committee meeting Wednesday.
Officials showed this map to State Senators:
They say landfills in green have more than 10 years left in their lifespan, while those in yellow have between 3-10 years left.
TDEC says failure to act on this issue can hamper the state in several ways, including public health and the state’s ability cultivate economic growth.
“We’re seeing strains on regional landfill capacity and if we don’t look into this and do something we risk our ability to manage this reliably. Failing to do this could be a risk to public health.”
At Wednesday’s meeting, the head of the National Waste and Recycling Association said that in Tennessee, about 92 percent of waste goes to landfills like this one in Birchwood:
The national average is about 54 percent.
TDEC says the landfills in East Tennessee have about 25 years of capacity left. It’s worse in Middle Tennessee, but…
“If a landfill closes down in Middle Tennessee, that waste has to go somewhere, so it’s going to go to maybe the next closest neighbor, I mean landfill, or perhaps even farther away, depending on the economics.”
We took these concerns to the Chattanooga Solid Waste Division to check in and see if landfills here are at capacity. They tell us…
“We have about six years left in our current sale, we are looking to increase our daily tonnage. And when that happens, that current sales timeframe will go down to two years.”
The Chattanooga Solid Waste Division says they’re looking to add another site close to the Birchwood landfill.
“We’re actually getting ready to open up another sale within the next two years. And shortly after that, we will already start making preparations to open up cell four, which will take us to a lifespan of 49 years.”
State lawmakers also got a look at some of the efforts made towards recycling in Tennessee.
Industry experts estimate recyclable materials could be worth hundreds-of-millions of dollars to the right manufacturers annually.
Knox County Schools Superintendent Jon Rysewyk looks for areas to improve in
Knox County Schools Superintendent Jon Rysewyk looks for areas to improve in
It’s the first snow day of 2026 in East Tennessee!
Schools across the region are closing their doors Thursday, Jan. 15, due to snow and freezing temperatures.
While Knoxville is forecast to get less than an inch of snow, communities at higher elevations in the mountains could see more than 4 inches, according to the National Weather Service.
Here’s which schools are closed or have a delayed start for Jan. 15.
Please check back! This list will continue to be updated.
East Tennessee school closures and delays
- Campbell County Schools: Two-hour delay Thursday, Jan. 15
- Cocke County Schools: Closed Thursday, Jan. 15
- Grainger County Schools: Two-hour delay Thursday, Jan. 15
- Greene County Schools: Two-hour delay Thursday, Jan. 15
- Hamblen County Schools: Two-hour delay Thursday, Jan. 15
- Hancock County Schools: Closed Thursday, Jan. 15
- Hawkins County Schools: Two-hour delay Thursday, Jan. 15
- Jefferson County Schools: Closed Thursday, Jan. 15
- Newport Grammar Schools: Two-hour delay Thursday, Jan. 15
- Rogersville City School: Two-hour delay Thursday, Jan. 15
- Scott County Schools: Two-hour delay Thursday, Jan. 15
- Sevier County Schools: Closed Thursday, Jan. 15
- Union County Public Schools: Two-hour delay Thursday, Jan. 15
Allison Kiehl covers trending and breaking news from Knoxville for the Tennessee Connect Team. Email: allison.kiehl@knoxnews.com
Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at knoxnews.com/subscribe.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — The Nashville Office of Emergency Management will conduct cold patrols Wednesday evening as dangerously low temperatures and wind chills move into the area.
Patrols are set to begin around 6 p.m. and will continue through the night, focusing on areas known to be inhabited by people experiencing homelessness. Teams will offer transportation to warming shelters, distribute winter kits with essential cold-weather supplies, and connect individuals with additional resources.
OEM said the patrols are part of the city’s ongoing commitment to protect vulnerable residents during severe winter weather. Officials urged the public to remain alert and report anyone in need of assistance to 911.
Residents are also encouraged to take precautions as temperatures and wind chills drop to dangerous levels overnight.
The effort comes as the National Weather Service says morning rain is expected to change to snow showers this evening for parts of Middle Tennessee. Forecasters say parts of the Cumberland Plateau could see an inch or more of accumulation.
Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at newsroom@newschannel5.com.
Repaying your federal student loans may be different in 2026 and beyond
The news surrounding student loan repayment has been ever-changing over the last few years. When it comes to your money, confusion is never a good thing. Thankfully, Robb Coles helps us sort out the path forward. Check out his story for some practical tips and insight behind the latest changes.
– Carrie Sharp
Tig Notaro talks growing up in Mississippi, parenthood and her friendship with poet Andrea Gibson : Wild Card with Rachel Martin
Casting is dead. Long live casting!
Trump’s push to acquire Greenland sparks international media frenzy on remote island
Noem names Charles Wall ICE deputy director following Sheahan resignation
Early peanut exposure in babies tied to sharp drop in food allergy diagnoses
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Video: ‘It Didn’t Have to Happen This Way:’ U.Va. Faculty Call for Review of Police Response to Protests
Noem names Charles Wall ICE deputy director following Sheahan resignation
Israel continues deadly Gaza attacks as ceasefire deal moves into phase two
Venezuela’s Machado gave Trump her Nobel prize. In return she received a swag bag but no promise of support | CNN
Video: Runaway Emu Leads Sheriff’s Corporal on 45-Minute Chase
Federal judge scorches Dems for pandering to Latinos with California map in fiery dissent
-
Montana5 days agoService door of Crans-Montana bar where 40 died in fire was locked from inside, owner says
-
Technology1 week agoPower bank feature creep is out of control
-
Delaware7 days agoMERR responds to dead humpback whale washed up near Bethany Beach
-
Dallas, TX1 week agoAnti-ICE protest outside Dallas City Hall follows deadly shooting in Minneapolis
-
Virginia5 days agoVirginia Tech gains commitment from ACC transfer QB
-
Iowa1 week agoPat McAfee praises Audi Crooks, plays hype song for Iowa State star
-
Montana6 days ago‘It was apocalyptic’, woman tells Crans-Montana memorial service, as bar owner detained
-
Nebraska1 week agoNebraska-based pizza chain Godfather’s Pizza is set to open a new location in Queen Creek