Mr. Po.... is there any talk of Butch getting the ax? I saw that twitter link but that was mostly angry fans. Any chance he really gets canned?
I really hated the cornball "these guys are champions of life" bs and to follow it up with that loss.
Hearing and reading a few things. Don't think he is going to get fired based on the financial ramifications but the pressure for him to take a buyout is starting to build up steam. This article hits the nail on the head pretty much. TIFWIW but the name Lane Kiffin is slowly building momentum.
http://gridironnow.com/tennessee-butch-jones-buyout/
Is a buyout the way forward for Butch Jones and Vols?
By Dave Hooker Posted on November 28, 2016
It’s time to officially come to the realization that Butch Jones almost assuredly can’t take Tennessee to a championship level.
It doesn’t take an aerospace engineer to see what has become apparent. Jones has shown an amazing ability to blow games throughout his four seasons at Tennessee. Jones’ teams have gotten off to slow starts, failed to finish games and Jones is actually 2-2 against Vanderbilt. Yes, Vanderbilt.
Now, before you say I’m piling on, I’m not the only one. National analysts have questioned Jones. Former players ripped him after Saturday’s game. Worst of all, Jones appears to be cracking under the pressure.
Jones repeatedly has struggled to maintain his composure despite being so image-conscious. His post-game news conference after Saturday’s loss at Vandy consisted of only a handful of questions and lasted about four minutes.
So should Tennessee fire Jones? Not a chance. UT’s athletic department would owe him and his staff more than $10 million. Tennessee only recently improved its financial standing. This isn’t the time to go back in the hole.
The best move for all parties involved is for Jones to take less of a buyout and walk away. I know that sounds crazy but put yourself in Jones’ position. He’s not hurting for money and can convince a smaller school that he can rebuild their program. Jones may not be able to win a championship at a high level, but he’s proven, at Central Michigan and Cincinnati, he can win with less pressure. Happiness should be worth some of that buyout. Jones can take the financial hit.
Former Tennessee coach Derek Dooley reportedly did the same thing one year before he was fired. Think Tennessee would like to have that year back? Opting out doesn’t make a coach a quitter. It makes them realistic about the situation.
Jones isn’t the only Tennessee coach to feel the heat and struggle with its intensity. Former UT coach Johnny Majors was forced to have open heart surgery. Former UT coach Phillip Fulmer looks 10 years younger since he was fired. Former UT coach Lane Kiffin only lasted one season and was dumbfounded that fans were upset he was leaving.
If Jones thinks things are going to get better, he’s being overly optimistic. He has to replace a quarterback, his top defensive back, an emotional leader at linebacker and his top two tailbacks, one of whom quit a bit more than halfway through the season.
Jalen Hurd’s departure is one of the many pieces of evidence that Jones is wearing on his players, just like his clichés are wearing on UT’s fan base. The amount of transfers has been startling under Jones.
Jones has nothing to be ashamed of if he steps aside for another job with a more modest buyout. He’s already had a great career and that will most likely continue even if it’s at a lower level. Misery is no way to live – for Jones or UT’s fan base.
(You can follow Dave Hooker on Twitter @TheDaveHooker)