When Tennessee vacated the $27 million hiring of Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano, many in Columbus assumed this sealed at least another year of service in Columbus for Ohio State's defensive coordinator.

But with the NFL coaching carousel whirling at high speeds, Bruce Feldman of FOX Sports reports Schiano is drawing interest as a defensive coordinator candidate.

Hearing theres a lot of interest around the NFL in #OhioState DC Greg Schiano for some defensive coordinator jobs. He is very well-regarded by a lot of folks up there. — Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 11, 2018

"Interest" is a far cry from "interview" or "hire," but Schiano has proven ready to depart Urban Meyer's nest for the right opportunity. Schiano last coached in the NFL in 2013 as head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Should Schiano depart, Ohio State hired Washington State defensive coordinator Alex Grinch earlier this week for a significant yet undefined defensive role.