KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton’s hope is to have a new coach hired by this weekend.

And, really, with the recruiting period set to go live again Sunday, the Vols can’t afford to go much past this weekend without a coach.

The sooner, the better.

Will Muschamp, Texas’ defensive coordinator and head coach-in-waiting, remains the Vols’ top target, and Hamilton was expected to have talks with Muschamp later Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.

One of the keys in landing Muschamp will be going in and getting him and not letting this thing drag out in search-like fashion.

Tennessee is prepared to offer some serious cash, potentially more than $3 million per year.

Muschamp has made it known that he will certainly listen for that kind of money. He’s making close to $1 million right now with the Longhorns.

It’s going to take a sweet deal to pry Muschamp away from Texas. But if Hamilton goes about it the right way, moves in quickly and makes it known that Muschamp is unequivocally his man, then the Vols will have a chance.

If Muschamp elects to stay at Texas, then former Tennessee assistant and current Duke coach David Cutcliffe may end up being the guy. At this point, it looks like Hamilton is interested in talking with Cutcliffe.

Former Tennessee star quarterback Peyton Manning would be a strong advocate for Cutcliffe.

Others to watch include Air Force’s Troy Calhoun, Ole Miss’ Houston Nutt, Oklahoma State’s Mike Gundy and Connecticut’s Randy Edsall.