Former UT strength coach arrested for breaking into arena office

A former Tennessee men’s basketball strength and conditioning was arrested this week and faces felony burglary and vandalism charges after being caught on video trying to break into the basketball arena with a saw, reports the Knoxville News Sentinel.

Police police say Troy Wills used a saw to break into a locked office at Thompson-Boling Arena on Saturday morning and was caught on video by officers investigating the break-in.

Wills spent eight seasons working with the basketball program before being fired last offseason by coach Cuonzo Martin.

A police affidavit says Willis then ”ransacked” a room causing $750 in damages to university property and stole $4,150 from the desk of Bill Whitesell, a UT event management director. Wills also was booked on a separate theft charge for stealing a $100 bottle of tanning cream from a tanning salon. Willis was released on bond and is due in court on Mar. 6.

The burglary charge is Class D Felony that required a $7,500 bond. The vandalism charges is a Class E felony carrying a $5,000 bond. As a condition of his release, Wills was barred from UT property. The theft charge is a Class A misdemeanor. Wills was told to stay away from the tanning salon and ordered not to make contact with the complainant.