UT has fired JT today, after 23 years of leading the Vols. The AD gave the reason as "gross misconduct."
www.swiminfo.com has the story.
JT has coached Melvin Stewart, Jeremy Linn, Tripp Schwenk and others to olympic medals in his yeas as a coach.
Former Member
Or the letter's opening line.
And JT would have even more chutzpah if he responded to his firing by shouting out, "It's great to be alive!!!"
LOL.
Braden Keith at Swimmers Circle claims to know what happened but is reluctant to share until he is clear from a legal standpoint.
See the comments below this article:
theswimmerscircle.com/.../
I’ve been told what happened, but am trying to figure out how to confirm it/protect us from a defamation lawsuit (people in the swimming community are highly litigious). If what I’ve been told is true – it wasn’t a Sandusky-type of incident, which is good news, but definitely a fireable offense.
JT was the head coach of the swim camp I attended as a kid (held at Mercersberg Academy in Pennsylvania). He was a great camp leader and told the best stories. He also had the biggest calf muscles I have ever seen in my life. He taught me to always dry my ears and start every day by thinking "It's a beautiful day. It's great to be alive." I learned a lot about swimming from him and hold him in high regard.
This is a shame. I wonder what happened.
I can't see how it could have been anything even covertly political. According to the WBIR report I read the list of stuff under the heading of "gross misconduct" didn't include "he made too much money" or "he didn't get along with the new AD".
He taught me to always dry my ears and start every day by thinking "It's a beautiful day. It's great to be alive."
Well now I know where Jeremy got that statement from. He starts off every email to us with it and will say "It's a beautiful day" to us and we're supposed to add "and great to be alive."
I wonder what happened, other than a new athletic director. I'll have to see if Jeremy has the inside scoop tomorrow.
I was at UT last night. I will call you this afternoon.
Well now I know where Jeremy got that statement from. He starts off every email to us with it and will say "It's a beautiful day" to us and we're supposed to add "and great to be alive."
JT would greet swimmers at morning practice, afternoon practice, coaches at clinics with that statement.
He would have the biggest smile on his face when saying it too. Made you feel like you were going to have a great day
