University of Tennessee Chancellor Beverly Davenport didn't sign agreement with Schiano

University of Tennessee Knoxville Chancellor Beverly Davenport didn't sign a memorandum of understanding between the university and prospective hire Greg Schiano, according to a spokesman, thus calling into question the legality of the document.

Vice Chancellor for Communications Ryan Robinson said Davenport didn't sign the memorandum, reportedly signed by Athletic Director John Currie and Schiano just before a deal to hire him as head football coach fell through on Sunday.

A copy of the memorandum was not immediately available Monday.

Earlier in the day Monday Davenport issued a statement on the university's handling of the offer with Schiano, who is currently Ohio State's defensive coordinator.

“I deeply regret the events of yesterday for everyone involved," Davenport said in the statement. "The university remains steadfast in its commitment to excellence, and I look forward to John Currie continuing the search to bring the next head football coach to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.”

Currie was reportedly in Columbus Sunday finalizing the offer with Schiano, who is also a former assistant coach at Penn State University.

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But backlash from fans and state politicians resulted in the deal falling through at the last minute.

Currie, in his own statement Monday, said the university had properly vetted Schiano and knew of reports that he may have been aware of child sex abuse by Jerry Sandusky at Penn State.

"Coach Schiano worked at Penn State from 1990-1995," Currie said. "Consequently, we, of course, carefully reviewed the 2012 investigation report by Louis Freeh. Coach Schiano is not mentioned in the Freeh report and was not one of the more than 400 people interviewed in the investigation. We also confirmed that Coach Schiano was never deposed and never asked to testify in any criminal or civil matter."

Currie was Davenport's first hire after she took office in February. Following the controversy around Schiano Sunday, some fans have called for his firing.

Davenport said she didn't have additional comment on his job aside from the statement.