It has been blatantly obvious for months that embattled Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton wasn't going to keep his job long enough to have the chance to navigate the Vols out of this tumultuous period they've endured the past two years.
What was a bit more surprising was that he'd step down days before Saturday's hearing in front of the Committee on Infractions.
Calling himself a "lightning rod for negative attention" with Tennessee facing potential major violations in men's basketball, football and baseball, Hamilton resigned from his post Tuesday in an attempt to bring himself and the university "peace." He will receive a buyout package of $1,335,000 to be paid in equal installments through June 2014.
Tennessee chancellor Jimmy Cheek insisted Hamilton was not forced out, but admitted he didn't attempt to dissuade the athletic director from leaving either. Asked about the timing of his resignation, Hamilton cited his desire for Tennesee to arrive at Saturday's hearings in Indianapolis with "a clean slate."
Bruce Pearl and his staff were fired in March after he admitted lying to NCAA investigators about a barbecue at his house that was attended by recruits. The football violations occurred during the tenure of former coach Lane Kiffin, who infamously left Knoxville after just one season to become the coach at USC.
It's always difficult to project how the NCAA will penalize schools for rules violations since there seems to be so little consistency, but you can bet Tennessee will trumpet the fact that the three men most responsible are no longer employed by the school.
If Hamilton's resignation does diminish Tennessee's punishment in any way, expect to see other schools in the same position attempt the same ploy. It may be a move that smacks of desperation, but there's reason to believe it could work.
January Jones Christina DaRe Malin Akerman Melissa Joan Hart Bianca Kajlich
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