MATTHEW VANTRYON | MANAGING EDITOR
As first reported by The Tennessean, Butler head coach Chris Holtmann had preliminary conversations with the University of Tennessee Friday regarding the Volunteers’ men’s basketball head coaching vacancy, according to unnamed sources who could not speak publicly about the issue.
Tennessee contacted Holtmann within hours of firing Donnie Tyndall. Tyndall was fired after the university was informed of rules violations he committed as head coach at the University of Southern Mississippi, according to the Tennessean.
Holtmann was named interim head coach of the Butler men’s basketball program on Oct. 2, 2014, after Brandon Miller took a medical leave of absence for undisclosed reasons. Holtmann’s interim tag was removed on Jan. 2 and he received a multi-year contract, according to ESPN.
Holtmann led Butler to a 23-11 record in its second season in the Big East, including the team’s first NCAA tournament appearance since 2013. Butler defeated Texas in the Round of 64 before losing to Notre Dame 67-64 in overtime last Saturday.
This story will be updated as more information becomes available.