At least one other power-conference head coach expressed interest in Tennessee's coaching vacancy while the Vols were still searching for a replacement for Butch Jones.

After its deal with Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano fell through, Tennessee, which also targeted Mississippi State's Dan Mullen, moved its search on to Oklahoma State's Mike Gundy, NC State's Dave Doeren and Washington State's Mike Leach before Currie's ouster on Dec. 1.

Two other big-name coaches also reached out to Tennessee about the job, according to former athletic director John Currie's phone records released by Tennessee on Thursday night.

(Want the latest scoop on Tennessee football and basketball? Make sure you're in the loop — take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Vols newsletter now!)

Paul Johnson

The attorney for Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson reached out via text message to then-Tennessee athletic director John Currie, according to Currie's phone records.

Here is what Jack Reale texted to Currie at 10:52 p.m. on Nov. 30, the night before Currie was suspended by Tennessee Chancellor Beverly Davenport: "Mr. Currie I represent Paul Johnson of Ga Tech. He has interest in your HC position. I can be reached at (redacted). Best Regards Jack Reale."

Tennessee opened the 2017 season by outlasting Johnson's Yellow Jackets in a double-overtime victory at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Georgia Tech rolled up 535 rushing yards and led by two touchdowns in the fourth quarter before the Vols rallied to force overtime. Johnson went for the win in the second overtime, but Tennessee stopped Georgia Tech's two-point conversion attempt.

The Yellow Jackets tumbled to a 5-6 finish after losing four of their final five games to miss a bowl game for just the second time in Johnson's 10-year tenure at Georgia Tech.

Johnson, who has guided Georgia Tech to one ACC championship and four ACC division crowns, reportedly agreed to a contract extension through the 2022 season in January.

Les Miles

Earlier that Thursday (Nov. 30), Joan Cronan, the former leader of Tennessee's women's athletic department, texted Currie to notify him of a call she received the previous day from former LSU coach Les Miles.

In Cronan's text, she relays to Currie that she told Miles she was a "fan" of Currie and "trusted (his) judgment," but she doesn't stop there.

"Just for brainstorming would a mature Phillip (Fulmer) or Les coupled with Tee (Martin) as OC & throw in KEVIN Steele as DC & you also have (John) Chavis. I have no idea how personalities go together. Still trust YOU!!!!"

Based on the message log it's unclear if Currie replied to Cronan's message with a message or phone call.

Former Tennessee interim head coach Brady Hoke and then-Dallas Cowboys special teams coordinator Rich Bisaccia also reached out to Currie about the job.

Hoke, whose messages are easily noticed in these logs because he famously texted in all caps, reminded Currie on Nov. 29 of his interest in becoming Tennessee's new coach.

"JOHN I HOPE YOU DO KNOW I WOULD LIKE TO BE YOUR HEAD FOOTBALL COACH I DO KNOW THE ENVIRONMENT WE LIVE IN AND WHAT NEEDS TO BE DONE AT TENNESSEE!"

Hoke now is the defensive line coach for the Carolina Panthers.

(ENJOY VIP ACCESS TO GOVOLS247 WITH A FREE SEVEN-DAY TRIAL)

Rich Bisaccia

Bisaccia, who coached at South Carolina and Clemson, served on David Cutcliffe's staff at Ole Miss and was a part of the Tampa Bay Bucs' Super Bowl championship team, reached out to Tyler Johnson, Tennessee's associate athletics director for business and internal operations, on multiple occasions to state his case for the Tennessee job.

When Johnson first notified Currie of Bisaccia's interest on Nov. 28, , Currie responded, "Who's he?"

Johnson texted Currie that former Vol and current NFL analyst Charles Davis and Cowboys tight end Jason Witten might reach out to Currie on Bisaccia's behalf.

Bisaccia, who has been in the NFL as an assistant since 2002, sent another lengthy text to Johnson clamoring for the job on Nov. 29.

He is now the assistant head coach and special teams coordinator on Jon Gruden's new staff with the Oakland Raiders.

———————————————

Contact Patrick Brown at patrick.brown@cbsinteractive.com or on Twitter, and follow GoVols247 on Facebook.