[Title and Post edited to reflect ND job no longer open]
Addressing the 2% chance that Butch leaves:
Were Jones to leave, I think we'd be able to find top caliber coach this year. Tennessee is the 2nd best job behind Notre Dame, and it could be argued it's a better job right now.
Coaching Jobs Currently Open:
--Oregon: Pac-12 is less prestigious; Region has less talent; Other than Phil Knight, booster situation is either equal or in Tennessee's favor; UT has better talent on roster and is more likely to have a 9+ win season than Oregon next year. [UT is better job]
--Notre Dame: (Edit: Kelly is staying at ND, so this is off the board. I've left the analysis for kicks) A more prestigious program with national reach; boosters are there; talent on roster is less than Tennessee but Independent status can help Notre Dame schedule to its strengths; less likely to have 9+ win season than Tennessee; ability to recruit to Notre Dame stronger than UT currently; (Edited: but maybe not since ND has recruiting restrictions, per @clenney75) [PUSH??? to Tennessee slightly better job???]
--Houston: Program is not prestigious but trendy given Sumlin and Herman's success; boosters not as extensive as Tennessee; UT has better talent on roster; UT can make the playoff, Houston cannot without running the table; Houston administration likely has inflated expectations; Has to recruit in Texas against Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, TCU, LSU, and OK, among others [Tennessee is MUCH better job]
--Indiana/Purdue: Program is not prestigious; Basketball School; boosters not as extensive for football program; UT has MUCH better talent on roster; It's Indiana; It's Purdue [Tennessee is MUCH better job]
All this is to say, Butch would be a fool to leave Tennessee right now. I don't see any lateral moves that really equal Butch's current status at Tennessee.
If Butch were to leave, I could see numerous coaches interviewing. Some would certainly be using the interview as contract leverage, but several others would show serious interest. I think these would include: Fuente, Miles, Petrino, Helfrich, Strong, Fleck, Norvell, Rodriguez, B. Kelly, Several NFL guys, and maybe even names like J. Franklin (who may want to not have to play CUM and CJH every year BEFORE making it to the Big Ten Championship game, even though he did it this year) and K. Sumlin who may want out of the West.
Addressing the 2% chance that Butch leaves:
Were Jones to leave, I think we'd be able to find top caliber coach this year. Tennessee is the 2nd best job behind Notre Dame, and it could be argued it's a better job right now.
Coaching Jobs Currently Open:
--Oregon: Pac-12 is less prestigious; Region has less talent; Other than Phil Knight, booster situation is either equal or in Tennessee's favor; UT has better talent on roster and is more likely to have a 9+ win season than Oregon next year. [UT is better job]
--Notre Dame: (Edit: Kelly is staying at ND, so this is off the board. I've left the analysis for kicks) A more prestigious program with national reach; boosters are there; talent on roster is less than Tennessee but Independent status can help Notre Dame schedule to its strengths; less likely to have 9+ win season than Tennessee; ability to recruit to Notre Dame stronger than UT currently; (Edited: but maybe not since ND has recruiting restrictions, per @clenney75) [PUSH??? to Tennessee slightly better job???]
--Houston: Program is not prestigious but trendy given Sumlin and Herman's success; boosters not as extensive as Tennessee; UT has better talent on roster; UT can make the playoff, Houston cannot without running the table; Houston administration likely has inflated expectations; Has to recruit in Texas against Texas, Texas A&M, Baylor, TCU, LSU, and OK, among others [Tennessee is MUCH better job]
--Indiana/Purdue: Program is not prestigious; Basketball School; boosters not as extensive for football program; UT has MUCH better talent on roster; It's Indiana; It's Purdue [Tennessee is MUCH better job]
All this is to say, Butch would be a fool to leave Tennessee right now. I don't see any lateral moves that really equal Butch's current status at Tennessee.
If Butch were to leave, I could see numerous coaches interviewing. Some would certainly be using the interview as contract leverage, but several others would show serious interest. I think these would include: Fuente, Miles, Petrino, Helfrich, Strong, Fleck, Norvell, Rodriguez, B. Kelly, Several NFL guys, and maybe even names like J. Franklin (who may want to not have to play CUM and CJH every year BEFORE making it to the Big Ten Championship game, even though he did it this year) and K. Sumlin who may want out of the West.
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