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Former Tenn. strength coach uses saw to break into arena

A former strength coach at Tennessee used the cover of darkness (and a saw) to steal from an office inside the school's basketball arena. (Photo: Randy Sartin, USA TODAY Sports)

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  • Knoxville
  • University of Tennessee
  • Cuonzo Martin

    A former strength and conditioning coach at the University of Tennessee was arrested and charged with burglary, theft and vandalism after he used a saw and his own two hands to ransack an office inside the university's basketball arena.

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    Troy Willis spent eight seasons working with the Volunteers' basketball program until being let go following the 2011-12 season by coach Cuonzo Martin. According to an affidavit acquired by the Knoxville News Sentinel, Willis broke into the arena early Saturday morning before using the saw to enter the office of Bill Whitesell, a university event management director.

    He then got to work inside Whitesell's office, causing $750 in damages and stealing $4,150 from Whitesell's desk. Willis was seen on surveillance video walking down a hallway inside the arena "with what appears to be a saw in his hand" and "attempting to hide underneath his coat," the affidavit read.

    Then there's the tanning cream. Did I mention the tanning cream?

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    Willis also faces an additional theft charge following a Dec. 5 incident at Fusion Tanning Studios in Knoxville, Tenn. According to the affidavit, Willis took a bottle of $100 tanning cream from the tanning salon. Willis agreed to return the bottle after being contacted about the theft, but he never did so, according to the News Sentinel.

    Because, as you know, it can't hurt to look good and bronzed when you're on (surveillance) camera. Willis was released on bonded arraignment and is due to appear in court on the charges on Mar. 6.

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