By Jimmy Hyams

Tennessee has selected a search committee in pursuit of finding an athletic director to replace Dave Hart, who steps down June 30.

The committee includes one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game: Peyton Manning.

The committee also includes prominent boosters Charlie Anderson and Jimmy Haslam, vice chair of the UT Board of Trustees Raja Jubran, faculty rep Don Bruce, and associate athletic director Donna Thomas.

One source said Tennessee will “cast a wide net to try to get the best of the best’’ for its athletic director.

No action in terms of hiring an athletic director is expected to be taken by the committee until the arrival Feb. 15 of incoming chancellor Beverly Davenport. Jubran previously said the hire might not take place until April or May.

A source told me UT has not yet hired a search firm and might not, depending on the qualifications of the firm and whether the firm can bring new names to the table for the search committee to consider.

Multiple sources told me reports that the hiring of Phillip Fulmer as AD is “almost done’’ are inaccurate and premature.

That doesn’t mean Fulmer isn’t a candidate. But the search committee has just been formed and hasn’t formally proceeded to the point of favoring one candidate over another.

Among potential candidates: Fulmer, Chattanooga AD David Blackburn, Cincinnati AD Mike Bohn, Virginia Tech AD Whit Babcock.

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