Here's my take on Butch Jones and how I feel about him:
Meat and Potatoes - Wins and Losses "Rational"
2013
5-7, 2-6 conference record
- We lose to (Five) Top 10 ranked teams in the country
- We beat 11th ranked South Carolina
- We lose to Vanderbilt
In his first year, Butch Jones loses to who he is supposed to, wins 1 he "shouldn't" and loses to Vanderbilt which is debatable given the circumstances
2014
7-6, 3-5 conference record
- Loses to (Three) top 5 ranked teams
- Plays 12th Georgia tight. I believe this is the year Pig Howard fumbles through the end zone.
- Arguably "chokes" against Florida.
- A marked improvement in year 2 with a great bowl win against Iowa.
All in all, another season of winning the games he should and losing the games he should with the debatable game being Florida.
2015
9-4, 5-3 conference record
- We choke against Florida on arguably coaching decisions
- Tough loss against Arkansas where we come out flat despite starting the game 7-0 on a EB29 kickoff return.
- Hang in with Alabama in Tuscaloosa for the entire game.
- Make an improved bowl game w/ great win
2016
8-4, 4-4 conference record
- The first year where Jones and his staff have substantial expectations from both the media and fans
- Finally get over the hump against Florida and Georgia.
- Lose a tough road game to A&M.
- Not remotely competitive against a very good Alabama team.
- Choke away SEC East championship against USCJr and Vanderbilt.
- Multiple stories and distractions leading to questioning the leadership and overall direction/momentum of the football program
Intangible (Emotional)
When I read all that it seems crazy to me to consider firing CBJ. He has flipped our football team around in the 4 years he has been here with the exception of two bad losses in the last month. Here is the problem though....CBJ has not handled this year well from both a performance and personal standpoint. We weren't ready from the beginning of the season to show up and play good football; pre injuries narrative. On a personal level he has wilted in the face of media and fan expectations and has become very bristled towards both groups. This has become a big issue for me and concerns me going forward because the pressure cooker has been turned on and it would appear he doesn't like it.
I've never been drawn to him on a personal level; he is not a likable guy to me. He comes across as a football meathead and a relatively unintelligent guy which doesn't work in today's game. That sounds unfair when I read it but it is how I feel and believe it is a relatively accurate characterization based on how he carries himself publicly.
I was always endeared to Phil because he loved his players and was a Tennessee guy through and through. He was committed to the program. His players loved him till the end and generally speaking were not happy with he was hosed.
I loved Kiffin because the guy was inherently likable to me and fought for the program during his time here. He had an edge in regards to our competition. He immediately came in with the type of energy and enthusiasm that pointed towards him being committed to the program and fanbase. The fanbase and players immediately bought in. He made a previously horrible QB a borderline Heisman candidate and his father provided the blueprint for Eric Berry to show he could play anywhere in the back 7. He also landed the #1 player in the country his first recruiting class in a span of 3 months(it doesn't matter if he was a bust, you land the #1 kid if you can). On top of that, he was a blocked FG away from knocking off the eventual National Champion. To this day I still believe USC was one of the few jobs he would have left us for when he said that in his press conference. It unfortunately made sense for him to leave in a lot of ways. The player's adored him and would do anything for him
Dooley was funny to me but I was more middle of the road with him. I received him well at the beginning but it became clear to me 2 seasons in he was over his head. The lateral move of Justin Wilcox was the final nail in the coffin for me. Mixed bag from players according to what I heard while at UT.
CBJ needs to evaluate his staff and more importantly himself during this off season. It is imperative to his success and if he carries himself the way he did this year next year I think he's looking for another job.
Meat and Potatoes - Wins and Losses "Rational"
2013
5-7, 2-6 conference record
- We lose to (Five) Top 10 ranked teams in the country
- We beat 11th ranked South Carolina
- We lose to Vanderbilt
In his first year, Butch Jones loses to who he is supposed to, wins 1 he "shouldn't" and loses to Vanderbilt which is debatable given the circumstances
2014
7-6, 3-5 conference record
- Loses to (Three) top 5 ranked teams
- Plays 12th Georgia tight. I believe this is the year Pig Howard fumbles through the end zone.
- Arguably "chokes" against Florida.
- A marked improvement in year 2 with a great bowl win against Iowa.
All in all, another season of winning the games he should and losing the games he should with the debatable game being Florida.
2015
9-4, 5-3 conference record
- We choke against Florida on arguably coaching decisions
- Tough loss against Arkansas where we come out flat despite starting the game 7-0 on a EB29 kickoff return.
- Hang in with Alabama in Tuscaloosa for the entire game.
- Make an improved bowl game w/ great win
2016
8-4, 4-4 conference record
- The first year where Jones and his staff have substantial expectations from both the media and fans
- Finally get over the hump against Florida and Georgia.
- Lose a tough road game to A&M.
- Not remotely competitive against a very good Alabama team.
- Choke away SEC East championship against USCJr and Vanderbilt.
- Multiple stories and distractions leading to questioning the leadership and overall direction/momentum of the football program
Intangible (Emotional)
When I read all that it seems crazy to me to consider firing CBJ. He has flipped our football team around in the 4 years he has been here with the exception of two bad losses in the last month. Here is the problem though....CBJ has not handled this year well from both a performance and personal standpoint. We weren't ready from the beginning of the season to show up and play good football; pre injuries narrative. On a personal level he has wilted in the face of media and fan expectations and has become very bristled towards both groups. This has become a big issue for me and concerns me going forward because the pressure cooker has been turned on and it would appear he doesn't like it.
I've never been drawn to him on a personal level; he is not a likable guy to me. He comes across as a football meathead and a relatively unintelligent guy which doesn't work in today's game. That sounds unfair when I read it but it is how I feel and believe it is a relatively accurate characterization based on how he carries himself publicly.
I was always endeared to Phil because he loved his players and was a Tennessee guy through and through. He was committed to the program. His players loved him till the end and generally speaking were not happy with he was hosed.
I loved Kiffin because the guy was inherently likable to me and fought for the program during his time here. He had an edge in regards to our competition. He immediately came in with the type of energy and enthusiasm that pointed towards him being committed to the program and fanbase. The fanbase and players immediately bought in. He made a previously horrible QB a borderline Heisman candidate and his father provided the blueprint for Eric Berry to show he could play anywhere in the back 7. He also landed the #1 player in the country his first recruiting class in a span of 3 months(it doesn't matter if he was a bust, you land the #1 kid if you can). On top of that, he was a blocked FG away from knocking off the eventual National Champion. To this day I still believe USC was one of the few jobs he would have left us for when he said that in his press conference. It unfortunately made sense for him to leave in a lot of ways. The player's adored him and would do anything for him
Dooley was funny to me but I was more middle of the road with him. I received him well at the beginning but it became clear to me 2 seasons in he was over his head. The lateral move of Justin Wilcox was the final nail in the coffin for me. Mixed bag from players according to what I heard while at UT.
CBJ needs to evaluate his staff and more importantly himself during this off season. It is imperative to his success and if he carries himself the way he did this year next year I think he's looking for another job.
Last edited:
