Butch Jones Very Likely to Take the Tennessee Football Coaching Job [UPDATE]
By Jason McIntyre
Butch Jones, who led Cincinnati to a 9-3 mark this year, is very likely to take the Tennessee Volunteers head coaching opening according to two reports. Jones, who is 23-14 in three years with the Bearcats since taking over for Brian Kelly, who went to Notre Dame, was about the 4th option for Tennessee.
The 4-week coaching search appears to finally be over.
The Vols were rejected by Monday Night Football analyst Jon Gruden.
Then Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy passed.
Louisville coach Charlie Strong also said no (and got a shiny new 8-year deal from the Cardinals).
With nobody wanting the job, the Tennessee brand took a hit this month, but that can easily be repaired if Jones has success in a year or two.
Jones also had success at Central Michigan prior to Cincinnati, going 27-13 in three years there.
[UPDATE: Jones took the job. Tennessee is having a press conference at 2:30 pm.]