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KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Tennessee assistant Adam Howard has resigned for what the school has described as personal reasons. The school announced Monday in a brief statement that Howard, who had previously worked with Tennessee coach Donnie Tyndall at Morehead State and Southern Mississippi, was resigning "effective immediately." Video coordinator Beau Braden will fill Howard's role on the staff. Athletic department spokesman Tom Satkowiak also confirmed Monday night that R.J. Rush resigned as special assistant to Tyndall on Nov. 10, citing family reasons. Rush's departure was reported earlier Monday by the Knoxville News-Sentinel. The announcement comes as the NCAA conducts a review of Southern Mississippi's men's basketball program. Southern Mississippi acknowledged the review Nov. 6 after a Bleacher Report story indicated the NCAA was investigating potential rule violations from Tyndall's two-year tenure at the school. The NCAA and the school haven't disclosed the focus of the probe. A CBSSports.com report also said Howard's resignation might be tied to the NCAA investigation surrounding Tyndall and his previous tenure at Southern Miss. Tennessee spokesman Tom Satkowiak said the school had "nothing" to add to their original statement about Howard's resignation after he was asked about the CBS report. Shembari Phillips, a 6-4 shooting guard from Georgia who recently signed with Tennessee, said he was unaware of Howard's resignation but he said he remains committed to Tyndall and the Volunteers, regardless of what happens with the NCAA investigation. "I did [have concerns] at first," Phillips told ESPN.com. "I'm all in for Tennessee. Still gonna be here for Tennessee. I'm a very loyal person. ... I hope for the best." Howard began his coaching career as a graduate assistant at Morehead State in 2009-10 and was an assistant there from 2010-12 before following Tyndall to Southern Mississippi. When Tyndall took over Tennessee's program in April, he included Howard on his staff. Braden wasn't part of Tyndall's staff at Southern Mississippi. He spent the last two seasons as an assistant coach at Morehead State and previously worked as a director of basketball operations and graduate manager during Tyndall's final season at Morehead State in 2011-12. Messages were left for Howard and Tyndall seeking comment. Tennessee athletic department spokesman Tom Satkowiak declined comment beyond what was included in the school's release. Tennessee (1-1) plays Santa Clara on Thursday in the Orlando Classic. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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