Seems as though the University of Tennessee wants Joe Barry to volunteer to leave the Bucs to become the Volunteers defensive coordinator.

And Barry is listening.

Barry, the Bucs linebackers coach, has been reported to be in discussions with new Tennessee coach Derek Dooley about becoming the Volunteers defensive coordinator through a number of published reports, including Woody Cummings of the Tampa Tribune.

Barry, whom the Redskins were interested in making their linebackers coach, has been contacted twice in the last few days by new University of Tennessee coach Derek Dooley.

Joe has learned through multiple independent sources that it was Dooley who made the first contact with Barry. Joe has also confirmed there is “mutual interest” between the two parties.

If Barry were to take the job, he would be the second Bucs coach in as many years to accept the same offer for the same job at the same school. Last year then-Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin left to take over the Volunteers defense.

Ironically, Kiffin left when his son and Vols head coach Lane and his scorching hot wife Layla left Knoxville recently as Lane Kiffin was named the new coach at Southern Cal. Monte Kiffin left with Lane and Layla.

It seems the biggest stumbling block for Barry is his contract. Barry has one more year left on his contract with the Bucs. It is not clear whether that contract is enforceable if Barry leaves for a college job.

Keep in mind that Monte Kiffin left the Bucs with time left on his contract, as did Raheem the Dream when he left to be the defensive coordinator at Kansas State.