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Tennessee Vols: Ultimate 2017 Wish List

By Zach Ragan

Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) is carried off the field by team mates after catching the game winning touchdown pass against the Georgia Bulldogs on the last play on the game during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Jauan Jennings (15) is carried off the field by team mates after catching the game winning touchdown pass against the Georgia Bulldogs on the last play on the game during the fourth quarter at Sanford Stadium. Tennessee defeated Georgia 34-31. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 1, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich looks on against the Washington State Cougars during the first half at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 1, 2016; Pullman, WA, USA; Oregon Ducks head coach Mark Helfrich looks on against the Washington State Cougars during the first half at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports /

A New Offensive Coordinator

Ok, so let’s go ahead and get this out of the way: Mike DeBord isn’t as bad as some fans make him out to be.

In fact, DeBord has been more successful at Tennessee than his predecessor, Mike Bajakian.

But DeBord certainly has his flaws.

Perhaps his biggest flaw is a slow starting offense that plagued the Vols in 2016.

Tennessee required a couple of miraculous come-from-behind victories this past season because of those slow starts.

A new offensive coordinator, with a slightly different offensive philosophy, could help remedy the slow starts.

Former Oregon offensive coordinator/head coach Mark Helfrich has been among those mentioned as a potential candidate if DeBord were to retire.

Landing an offensive mind like Helfrich would instantly bring excitement to Rocky Top.

That’s assuming, of course, that Butch Jones would completely hand over the reigns to Helfrich.

After all, Helfrich’s 2013 Oregon squad went off on Jones and the Vols for 59 points.

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