Coaching search overshadows Vols' final game

Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart realizes the challenges involved in rejuvenating the Volunteers' football program.
 
The Volunteers are assured of their third consecutive losing season and second straight year without a bowl bid. Tennessee had a $3.98 million budget defiicit in the 2011-12 fiscal year. The Vols are on probation until August 2015.
 
Still, Hart believes he can find a quality candidate willing to take on those obstacles. Hart is seeking a replacement for Derek Dooley, who was fired Sunday.
 
As Tennessee (4-7, 0-7 SEC) gets ready to finish its season Saturday against Kentucky (2-9, 0-7) in a game that pits an interim head coach (Vols offensive coordinator Jim Chaney) against a lame-duck coach (Kentucky's Joker Phillips), Hart is beginning his quest to find Dooley's permanent successor.