KNOXVILLE ? Tennessee basketball Coach Buzz Peterson was left twisting in the wind yesterday following a meeting with UT President John Petersen and Athletics Director Mike Hamilton.
The Vols' fourth-year coach left the hour-long meeting without any assurances that he would return next season.
''I would say we are still in the evaluation process,'' Hamilton said. ''I think we came out of the meeting knowing what Buzz's plan is, and now we will take the time to evaluate all of that and begin our decision-making process.''
Hamilton said his inclination is to make an announcement on Peterson's future sometime next week before the start of the SEC tournament.
With Peterson's fate up in the air, Hamilton said he realizes there will be widespread speculation, which won't help the Vols in recruiting. Today is the first day coaches can call junior prospects.
That said, Hamilton said his intention all along has been to let the season play out before finalizing any decision. He refused to say if he was leaning one way or the other.
''We're going to stick to that course,'' Hamilton said. ''It's not something that will linger after the season.''
Petersen, in his first year as UT's president after coming from Connecticut, did not return messages. His secretary said he was traveling yesterday following the meeting.
Peterson, whose Vols face third-ranked Kentucky tomorrow on Senior Day at Rupp Arena, said it wasn't his place to discuss the specifics of the meeting. Still, he remained optimistic that he would be back next season.
''Do I believe that this program can win championships? I do. I really do,'' Peterson said. ''It takes time, though. It takes a learning process to go through a lot of things where you learn from your mistakes and try to correct those. I think we have the resources to get it done here. Where it starts is with recruiting and the people that are working under you.''
Peterson did most of the talking in the meeting. He mapped out in detail his plan to revive the Vols' program. Peterson said a big part of that plan was being more hands-on in several different areas.
''I personally need to take more of an active role toward recruiting and everything,'' he said. ''I think it's important that I'm involved in that. I am now, but I'm going to have to pick it up in some areas.''
Peterson said he would also be more demanding with assistant coaches and players. One certainty, should he return next season, is that he will make significant changes on his coaching staff. One scenario is bringing in a veteran coach to assist him, possibly one who's previously been a Division I head coach.
''I know how to run a disciplined program, because I played in one and that's what I did at other places,'' Peterson said. ''I just need to be a little tougher and more demanding on different things, whether it's recruiting, academics, or whatever.
''Things need to change a little bit. People who are under me, whether it's a player or coach ? I need to expect a little bit more out of them.''
Peterson is 59-57 in four years at Tennessee and facing his second losing season. Former Tennessee coach Wade Houston also had 59 wins at this same point in his fourth season. He was brought back for a fifth season and was fired after going 5-22.
Peterson's contract runs through the 2008-09 season. His buyout, should UT fire him after this season, would be approximately $1.4 million.
Tennessee also owes former coach Jerry Green one final $210,000 payment on his $1.05 million buyout. Green was forced out following the 2001 season after going to four consecutive NCAA tournaments.
The Vols have had five head coaches in the last 20 years and won just three NCAA tournament games during that span.
Hamilton, who has grown extremely close to Peterson over the years, said that attachment would not impact his judgment on what's best for the program.
''For me, in particular, these type of situations are part of working at a place like the University of Tennessee,'' Hamilton said. ''I am not comfortable from the standpoint that I wish we weren't faced with having to not be where we want to be right now from a wins and losses standpoint.
''Beyond that, I like to think I am fairly levelheaded about these types of decisions. I don't make emotional decisions.''
Hamilton said he has consulted with everyone from donors, to community members, to others close to the program about Peterson's future.
''I know that ultimately the decision rests in my lap with support from the president,'' Hamilton said.
Scooter a go?: Senior guard Scooter McFadgon practiced yesterday after missing the last three games with a bruised kneecap. Peterson said he anticipates McFadgon will play against Kentucky tomorrow.
The Vols' fourth-year coach left the hour-long meeting without any assurances that he would return next season.
''I would say we are still in the evaluation process,'' Hamilton said. ''I think we came out of the meeting knowing what Buzz's plan is, and now we will take the time to evaluate all of that and begin our decision-making process.''
Hamilton said his inclination is to make an announcement on Peterson's future sometime next week before the start of the SEC tournament.
With Peterson's fate up in the air, Hamilton said he realizes there will be widespread speculation, which won't help the Vols in recruiting. Today is the first day coaches can call junior prospects.
That said, Hamilton said his intention all along has been to let the season play out before finalizing any decision. He refused to say if he was leaning one way or the other.
''We're going to stick to that course,'' Hamilton said. ''It's not something that will linger after the season.''
Petersen, in his first year as UT's president after coming from Connecticut, did not return messages. His secretary said he was traveling yesterday following the meeting.
Peterson, whose Vols face third-ranked Kentucky tomorrow on Senior Day at Rupp Arena, said it wasn't his place to discuss the specifics of the meeting. Still, he remained optimistic that he would be back next season.
''Do I believe that this program can win championships? I do. I really do,'' Peterson said. ''It takes time, though. It takes a learning process to go through a lot of things where you learn from your mistakes and try to correct those. I think we have the resources to get it done here. Where it starts is with recruiting and the people that are working under you.''
Peterson did most of the talking in the meeting. He mapped out in detail his plan to revive the Vols' program. Peterson said a big part of that plan was being more hands-on in several different areas.
''I personally need to take more of an active role toward recruiting and everything,'' he said. ''I think it's important that I'm involved in that. I am now, but I'm going to have to pick it up in some areas.''
Peterson said he would also be more demanding with assistant coaches and players. One certainty, should he return next season, is that he will make significant changes on his coaching staff. One scenario is bringing in a veteran coach to assist him, possibly one who's previously been a Division I head coach.
''I know how to run a disciplined program, because I played in one and that's what I did at other places,'' Peterson said. ''I just need to be a little tougher and more demanding on different things, whether it's recruiting, academics, or whatever.
''Things need to change a little bit. People who are under me, whether it's a player or coach ? I need to expect a little bit more out of them.''
Peterson is 59-57 in four years at Tennessee and facing his second losing season. Former Tennessee coach Wade Houston also had 59 wins at this same point in his fourth season. He was brought back for a fifth season and was fired after going 5-22.
Peterson's contract runs through the 2008-09 season. His buyout, should UT fire him after this season, would be approximately $1.4 million.
Tennessee also owes former coach Jerry Green one final $210,000 payment on his $1.05 million buyout. Green was forced out following the 2001 season after going to four consecutive NCAA tournaments.
The Vols have had five head coaches in the last 20 years and won just three NCAA tournament games during that span.
Hamilton, who has grown extremely close to Peterson over the years, said that attachment would not impact his judgment on what's best for the program.
''For me, in particular, these type of situations are part of working at a place like the University of Tennessee,'' Hamilton said. ''I am not comfortable from the standpoint that I wish we weren't faced with having to not be where we want to be right now from a wins and losses standpoint.
''Beyond that, I like to think I am fairly levelheaded about these types of decisions. I don't make emotional decisions.''
Hamilton said he has consulted with everyone from donors, to community members, to others close to the program about Peterson's future.
''I know that ultimately the decision rests in my lap with support from the president,'' Hamilton said.
Scooter a go?: Senior guard Scooter McFadgon practiced yesterday after missing the last three games with a bruised kneecap. Peterson said he anticipates McFadgon will play against Kentucky tomorrow.
