Mike Leach Reportedly Working on Contract to Be New Tennessee Head Coach

The Tennessee Volunteers are reportedly "working on a deal" with Washington State's Mike Leach to fill their head coaching vacancy, according to NBC 5's Newy Scruggs. 

Yahoo Sports' Pete Thamel added that Leach's name is "picking up steam," while former Texas A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin is "losing steam" after he emerged as a candidate for the gig. 

Citing a source, Fox Sports' Bruce Feldman reported Tennessee's meeting with Leach "went very well."

Leach is in his sixth year coaching the Washington State Cougars following a 10-year stay at Texas Tech that ended after the school suspended him following an investigation into his treatment of a player who had a concussion. 

The 56-year-old owns a career record of 122-80, including a 38-37 mark with Washington State that was bolstered by a 9-3 regular-season finish in 2017. 

If the Volunteers are able to lock down Leach—and that's a big if based on how the school's coaching search has played out—it will represent the end of a saga that has consumed college football for the last week. 

Since the school's memorandum of understanding with Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano was terminated, the Volunteers have reportedly expressed interest in a slew of candidates, including Sumlin, NC State head coach Dave Doeren, Purdue's Jeff Brohm and Oklahoma State boss Mike Gundy.