<p>CHATTANOOGA (WRCB/AP) - Tennessee athletic director continues his scramble for a new head coach after reportedly being rejected by two of his top candidates.</p>
<p>Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp and Air Force head coach Troy Calhoun have both released statements saying they are happy where they are, and will not be leaving their schools.</p>
<p>ESPN.com reported Thursday Muschamp turned down a “lucrative” offer to become Lane Kiffin’s replacement in Knoxville, instead opting to stay the course with the Longhorns as Mack Brown’s future replacement.</p>
<p>Air Force football coach Troy Calhoun has scheduled a meeting with his players at 5:50 p.m. EST, Channel 3 Eyewitness News has independently confirmed.</p>
<p>The subject of the meeting was not stated. However, it appears Calhoun will be telling his players his intentions to stay with the Falcons.</p>
<p>Calhoun, 25-14 with three bowl appearances in three years at the Academy, issued a three-sentence statement through the school Thursday that indicated he had no plans of leaving for Tennessee, which abruptly lost Kiffin to USC this week.</p>
<p>Calhoun said he is proud to work at the academy and was diligently recruiting and preparing for next season.</p>
<p>Channel 3 Eyewitness News has learned that Coach Calhoun actually alerted his team to the Thursday meeting last night. Mark Tipton, who is an analyst for Channel 3’s Friday Night Football program, has a son on the Air Force football team. Tucker Tipton, a local prep standout at Cleveland High School, is a freshman quarterback for the program. Tucker and Mark have been in frequent contact throughout the day Thursday, and Mark is sharing as much as he knows with Channel 3.</p>
<p>Mark Tipton tells Channel 3 Eyewitness News:</p>
<p>“We were impressed with Coach Clay Hendrix, the recruiter who was responsible for our area, but when we met Coach Calhoun, we knew that the Air Force Academy is where Tucker wanted to go. Coach Troy Calhoun is a man of character and integrity. He sees beyond just the external athletic abilities of a player to the internal intangibles that lie at the heart of a champion. He sees the big picture. He knows that the recruitment and development of character is what is most important. His desire is not only to make these young men better players, but to make them better people in the process. He is about the business of instilling a sense of honor and pride into each player that will in turn manifest itself in the team that he puts on the field.”</p>
<p>Many reports earlier in the day had Calhoun and UT possibly nearing a deal.</p>
<p>The Sporting News also reported earlier Thursday that Jon Gruden stated he had no interest in the Vols’ opening. It was not known whether Hamilton had actually talked with the former NFL head coach about the job.</p>
<p>Gruden also said he had no interest in coaching the Vols’ last year before UT hired Kiffin.</p>
<p>Hamilton has also not responded to any requests for comment since his press conference on Wednesday afternoon.</p>
<p>WATE-TV in Knoxville reported Thursday afternoon that the UT athletic director was in Durham, North Carolina, and had shifted his attention to the pursuit of former Tennessee offensive coordinator and current Duke head coach David Cutcliffe.</p>
<p>More info on Calhoun:</p>
<p>Calhoun was widely considered to be the runner-up when Lane Kiffin was hired 14 months ago, and he had another successful season with the Falcons after getting passed over by Hamilton – who could be getting a mulligan with the bright, offensive-minded coach.</p>
<p>Troy Calhoun was named Mountain West Conference Coach of the Year in 2007. He played quarterback for Air Force from 1985-1988. Calhoun’s team was 8-5 this season and he has a 25-14 record with Air Force.</p>