So who ya gonna get?
That’s the most common question detractors of Butch Jones face when they say it’s time to replace the fifth-year Tennessee coach. The question of Jones’ replacement is a reasonable concern if the Vols decide to make a change. Things didn’t go well the last time UT had to find a new head football coach. However, things should be different this time around.
Former UT coach Derek Dooley left the Vols in shambles after his time in Knoxville. The Vols were on the verge of facing NCAA sanctions because of a poor APR and the roster was closer to UMass than the University of Alabama.
If UT decides to replace Jones, here are some candidates the Vols should consider:
The Home Runs – These candidates would immediately elevate UT’s program.
Justin Fuente
Fuente would be expensive. He recently signed a contract extension with Virginia Tech that will eventually pay him $4 million per season by 2023. However, he’ll only make $3.25 million this season. But his buyout – $6 million – is awfully steep.
Chip Kelly
Kelly had great success at Oregon before flaming out in the NFL. He’s may be tough to get because most think he wants to coach in the northwest, but he’s worth a shot, especially since he’s currently unemployed.
Dan Mullen
Clearly Mullen isn’t quite as desirable after Saturday’s thumping by Auburn. However, he’s a solid, perhaps great, offensive coach and can develop quarterbacks. He’s made Mississippi State relevant, which isn’t easy to do. He also had great success as a coordinator at Florida.
Bobby Petrino
Petrino has a steep buyout, reportedly $4 million if athletic director Tom Jurich is fired, which seems to be inevitable. The buyout would be $8 million if Jurich is still in his current position. However, with serious allegations from the FBI concerning Louisville’s basketball program, it looks as if Jurich is on the way out. He’s currently on administrative leave. Petrino is a proven coach. Any program that hired him would have to look past the infamous motorcycle/volleyball player incident. But what coach is perfect?
Bob Stoops
Stoops recently said he would have stayed at Oklahoma had he wanted to coach in college. I tend to believe him. However, some think he’s positioning himself for a possible Notre Dame vacancy or an NFL position. This would be a reach for the Vols, but Stoops is worth reaching out to.
More Than Adequate – These candidates are established coordinators or up-and-coming young coaches.
Jeff Brohm
Brohm is an offensive-minded coach who has won ten or more games during the last two seasons at Western Kentucky. He’s off to a 2-2 start at Purdue this season. Brohm doesn’t have a long resume to be judged upon.
Jim Bob Cooter
Cooter is a Tennessee native and a former UT graduate assistant. Currently the offensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions, Cooter is a rising star in the coaching world.
PJ Fleck
Fleck had success at Western Michigan and is having early success in his first season at Minnesota. He’s a coach on the rise, but it may be a bit too soon to take a gamble on his short resume.
Tee Martin
The former UT quarterback is the offensive coordinator at Southern California and is known as an excellent recruiter, especially in the southeast. However, it’s unclear just how much input he has at USC considering head coach Clay Helton also has an offensive background. Martin has also never been a head coach.
Mike Norvell
Norvell was an offensive coordinator for five seasons at Pittsburgh and Arizona State before taking over for Fuente at Memphis. He won eight games last season and the Tigers are currently 3-1. The Vols should be able to secure a coach with a longer track record.
Brent Venables
Venables has been a head coaching candidate more times than he’d like to recall. Currently the defensive coordinator at Clemson, he’d be a solid choice for the Vols.
Just Stop It – These candidates have no chance of getting the head coaching job at UT and/or even wanting it.
Jon Gruden
Surely Gruden is ready to give up an easy media job that pays him twice what the Vols could afford for a full-time, high-pressure job. That’s sarcasm folks. No chance.
Brian Kelly
Hiring a fired coach from Notre Dame would not inspire UT’s fan base.
Lane Kiffin
How does Vegas even come up with odds for a Kiffin return?
Peyton Manning
No coaching experience. Likely no desire. Just no.
Les Miles
Miles’ age, 63-years-old, works against him and so will his affinity to ramble in job interviews.
