Was Tony Elliott offered Tennessee football job? How Danny White smacked down notion

How close was Tony Elliott to taking the Tennessee football job?

Not close enough, according to UT athletic director Danny White.

White interviewed several candidates in the coaching search that led the Vols to Josh Heupel, who is entering his third season with the program.

Elliott was among the candidates. But did the now-Virginia coach ever get an offer from Tennessee? Not according to White.

“Interesting… don’t remember offering,” White said in response to a video of Elliott talking about the UT job Monday night on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. “Ignored this the first time, can’t do it again. An interview doesn’t constitute an offer. Interviewed several candidates, offered 1.”

Elliott was asked about the Tennessee job ahead of the Sept. 2 season opener between the Vols and Cavaliers at Nissan Stadium in Nashville.

“Obviously, Tennessee in my opinion is one of the bluebloods, one of the top-tier programs in the country,” Elliott said. “When I evaluated, there were a lot of positive things about it. It just wasn’t the right time for me. So when it came down to it, I prayed about it. … So it was close. But at the end of the day when I looked at the totality of everything, it just wasn’t the right time and fit for me.”

Heupel was hired Jan. 27, 2021, the same month UT fired Jeremy Pruitt for cause after uncovering allegations of serious NCAA infractions.

Heupel quickly made the Vols a winner, reaching back-to-back bowl games, including an 11-2 finish in 2022 and win over Alabama at Neyland Stadium.

Elliott stayed at Clemson one more season before being hired at Virginia on Dec. 10, 2021. He finished 3-7 during his first season.