It seems the University of Tennessee knew the fight that was coming well in advance. And they perhaps acquired the right weapon for that fight.
According to Adam Sparks of KnoxNews.com , the university hired attorney William “Bill” Burck back in early December to represent the school’s interests in the escalating investigation by the NCAA which has reportedly centered around the recruitment of Tennessee starting QB Nico Iamaleava.
Per Sparks, UT general counsel signed a representation agreement with Burck’s firm on December 4, well before the pending investigation was first made public by SI.
The timing is noteworthy because, per Sparks, Tennessee reportedly tried on December 15 and 18 to meet with NCAA president Charlie Baker, which efforts UT Chancellor Donde Plowman noted in her letter dated January 29. Baker’s reps reportedly played dumb in response to Tennessee about what it was about, also noting Baker’s alleged scheduling conflicts even though UT leadership would have apparently settled for a Zoom meeting.