Wrangler95
Well-Known Member
BUTCH JONES
Record (SEC record): 12-13 (5-11)
Accomplishments in first two seasons: Jones took over a Tennessee program reeling from its three years under former head man Derek Dooley, and in less than two seasons Jones' Vols began showing flashes of the greatness they personified in the 1990s and early 2000s. Tennessee maintained a 5-7 mark in Jones' first season on the job, then improved to 7-6 this season while earning UT's first bowl berth since 2010 and first bowl victory since 2007. UT has begun stockpiling talented recruits during the Jones era, hauling in back to back top 25 recruiting classes including the No. 7 class last year. Those recruits have already begun paying dividends, and not only has Jones turned UT back into a legitimate program in the SEC, he's made it a coveted destination for top talents in the coming years.
Future outlook: To pick up where we just left off, Jones' recruiting prowess should translate into even greater success in the next handful of seasons. Tennessee boasts the No. 3 recruiting class in America as of Jan. 19, and it will return almost all of its key contributors from this season, which should help the team continue to grow as it attracts and implements new talents every year. The SEC East is as down as its ever been, but UT is trending upward as the rest of the division is trending downward. This could result in a stretch of dominance by the Vols on their side of the SEC, thanks in large part to Jones' abilities as both a recruiter and talent developer.
By Ethan Livene
Record (SEC record): 12-13 (5-11)
Accomplishments in first two seasons: Jones took over a Tennessee program reeling from its three years under former head man Derek Dooley, and in less than two seasons Jones' Vols began showing flashes of the greatness they personified in the 1990s and early 2000s. Tennessee maintained a 5-7 mark in Jones' first season on the job, then improved to 7-6 this season while earning UT's first bowl berth since 2010 and first bowl victory since 2007. UT has begun stockpiling talented recruits during the Jones era, hauling in back to back top 25 recruiting classes including the No. 7 class last year. Those recruits have already begun paying dividends, and not only has Jones turned UT back into a legitimate program in the SEC, he's made it a coveted destination for top talents in the coming years.
Future outlook: To pick up where we just left off, Jones' recruiting prowess should translate into even greater success in the next handful of seasons. Tennessee boasts the No. 3 recruiting class in America as of Jan. 19, and it will return almost all of its key contributors from this season, which should help the team continue to grow as it attracts and implements new talents every year. The SEC East is as down as its ever been, but UT is trending upward as the rest of the division is trending downward. This could result in a stretch of dominance by the Vols on their side of the SEC, thanks in large part to Jones' abilities as both a recruiter and talent developer.
By Ethan Livene
