Vols fans are wondering if JP Estrella could return to Tennessee in the wake of Michigan’s coaching change
JP Estrella left Tennessee for Michigan earlier this offseason. On Monday, Wolverines head coach Dusty May left for the NBA, sparking curiosity about whether Estrella could return to Tennessee.a
Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May shocked the sports world on Monday by agreeing to become the new head coach of the Dallas Mavericks.
May, who has no previous NBA experience, led Michigan to a national championship this past season.
As soon as news broke that May was leaving for the NBA, Tennessee Vols fans immediately started wondering about forward JP Estrella.
Estrella, who spent the first two seasons of his college career at Tennessee, transferred to Michigan in April.
Could JP Estrella return to Tennessee?
Estrella, like the rest of Michigan’s roster, will be eligible to enter the transfer portal due to the coaching change (Michigan’s players will have 15 days to enter the portal after a new coach is hired).
Michigan is promoting assistant Mike Boynton Jr to interim head coach, and there’s a chance he could be the permanent replacement for May.
Estrella could certainly choose to transfer, and he could technically return to Tennessee if both sides wanted a reunion.
But it seems very unlikely that Estrella returning to Tennessee will be a serious option that’s on the table.
If Boynton lands the job on a full-time basis, Michigan will likely do whatever it can to keep this roster together, which means honoring NIL deals (and maybe even giving some raises if players are considering leaving).
Remember, Estrella entered the transfer portal for a reason, and that’s presumably because he felt he could earn more cash elsewhere. I doubt Tennessee’s feelings on his value have changed.
Secondly, given the additions that Rick Barnes and the Vols made in the portal, Estrella’s role with the team wouldn’t be the same. The Tennessee team that Estrella left isn’t the same Tennessee team he’d be returning to.
So essentially, yes, Estrella could technically return to Tennessee because of the coaching change, but it’s very unlikely that either side will pursue a reunion.
You never say never in college sports these days, but it would be quite a surprise to see Estrella back at Tennessee.