Tennessee basketball has a storied history, marked by many successes, but like any major program, it has seen its fair share of missteps, especially when it comes to coaching hires. Over the years, the Volunteers have experienced both highs and lows, and some of those lows can be attributed to questionable coaching decisions. Here’s a look at five of the worst coaching hires in Tennessee basketball history, as revealed by analysts and experts reflecting on the program’s past.
Wade Houston’s tenure as Tennessee’s head coach was marked by high hopes but few results. Houston, the program’s first African-American head coach, was a trailblazer, but his on-court performance fell short of expectations. In his five seasons with the Volunteers, he compiled a disappointing 65-90 record and never led the team to an NCAA Tournament appearance. Despite bringing his highly recruited son Allan Houston to Knoxville, the team never reached its potential under his leadership. His tenure ended in 1994, leaving a legacy of unfulfilled promise.
Buzz Peterson came to Tennessee with a solid resume, having worked under Dean Smith at North Carolina and led Appalachian State to an NCAA Tournament berth. However, his four-year stint in Knoxville was defined by underachievement. Despite having talented players like Scooter McFadgon and Chris Lofton, Peterson’s teams never made it past the NIT. His overall record of 61-59 and inability to make a significant impact in the SEC led to his dismissal in 2005, marking his tenure as one of the program’s most forgettable coaching hires.
Kevin O’Neill was known for his defensive coaching style and fiery personality, but his time at Tennessee was marked by inconsistency. Although he led the Volunteers to an NIT appearance, his abrasive demeanor didn’t sit well with players or fans. His style clashed with the administration, and despite being a decent recruiter, he failed to build a cohesive program. O’Neill left after just three seasons, and Tennessee was once again searching for stability.
Though Don DeVoe had moments of success, including leading the Volunteers to five NCAA Tournament appearances, his tenure ended poorly, leading many to view him as a coach who overstayed his welcome. After Bernard King and Ernie Grunfeld left, the program started to falter, and the Volunteers failed to get past the first round in most of their tournament appearances. DeVoe’s tenure became marked by stagnation, and by the end of the 1980s, Tennessee was ready for a change, though it took years for the program to recover.
John Mauer’s 15-year tenure may have spanned more than a decade, but it’s remembered as one of the more perplexing coaching decisions in Tennessee history. Mauer had a history of mediocre results, and during his long stint, Tennessee never became a dominant force in college basketball. His conservative style of play failed to capture success, and while his teams occasionally showed flashes of promise, they consistently underachieved. His hiring, though stable, did little to advance the program on a national level.
While Tennessee basketball has enjoyed periods of prosperity under coaches like Ray Mears, Bruce Pearl, and Rick Barnes, these five coaching hires stand as reminders that even great programs can make poor decisions when it comes to leadership. In each case, these coaches were unable to deliver the consistent success that the fanbase and administration hoped for, leaving lasting impacts on the program’s trajectory during their respective eras.