The CheckerBoard

Excellent article! Let's give the guy a chance, and show the recruits out there the Vol Nation is united and ready to start working our way back to the top of the conference. Maybe we can help CBJ win a couple of "jump balls" with recruits vs. chasing them off with the " terrble hire- won't support him" talk.
As someone said earlier- he's 0-0 as our coach.

Well said Wes!

If this guy can sell kids on coming to Knoxville, then he will be a winner, and if he can't then he will lose. Simple as that.

Because he's already proven he can coach football teams hands down. So in my mind, if he can start to get some top level talent in here we will see marked improvements in the coming seasons.

Welcome coach Butch Jones!!! GBO!!! VFL!!

Not only did Jones wait on the UT job, but he did it knowing that he was pretty far down the list. That takes guts and want-to. Proud to have him in Knoxville.

Same questions about Brian Kelly were asked at ND. Can he recruit nationally against the top schools, will his staff be able to recruit. He and the staff has done very well. I think Jones will do the same at UT. He's got a good brand to sale to the recruits. Wish you guys luck, the SEC is always better when UT is relevant.

Well said Wes. That piece of journalism is the exact reason why I pay for this site (and no other) and why I like reading what you write.

I think Wes has been watching the Walking Dead a little too much with this comment, "I’d want a guy who would jam a box-cutter into his best friend’s jugular for a first down." Lol Easy now. We are still talking about football, right? I mean, I like winning games an all but we don't need to murder anyone. Might be tough to get recruits, assistant coaches, parole, etc.

In all seriousness, I'm am thrilled about Jones. The players and recruits seem to really like him. He's got a much better recruiting class with Cinci than Strong at Louisville. Jones is 2-1 vs Strong as a HC. I want to know why we liked Strong so much anyway? If you compare these guys on paper, Jones seems like the better option. Jones has a .649 winning percentage which is better than Fedora, Kiffin, Strong, Tuberville, Leach, Dantonio, Rich Rodriguez, Mullen, James Franklin, Brady Hoke, Gene Chizik, Al Golden and last and also least Derek Dooley.

He's got wins over Virginia Tech, Louisville, Syracuse, Rutgers, Pitt, NCSU and Vandy to name a few. He's won a conference title 4 out of 6 years of being a Head Coach.

He also looks great in orange. (but I mean who doesn't tho)

What's not to like?

Great writing Wes! Thanks.

It's at least good to see us land someone who truely wants to be at UT more than anywhere else in the world. There weren't a lot of great coaches in that category lately. Let's remember that our program is at the bottom and has been for years now, yes, enough money might have bought another "stud" for the coaching stable but I believe we could not have gotten one more committed to making Tennessee great again.

Let's just hope that the administration at UT is as committed to making the changes needed to make the program great again - without help, no coach alone can pull this wagon back to the top!

You really are a very good writer. You sure are mean to the lunatic fringe. Why?

Nice work, Wes. Thoughtful piece.

Excellent writing Wes. You hit a grand slam with this one. Keep up the good work---that's why most of us are subscribers. I really believe BJ is the man for the job. GO VOLS