Vols Football: Was Colin Cowherd Unfair To Butch Jones?

Colin Cowherd went all in on Vols head coach Butch Jones on Thursday, calling him nothing more than a gym teacher.

The source of Cowherd’s ire seemed to be Jones’ celebration after Tennessee beat Georgia.

Jones, as I’m sure you recall, fell to the ground in tears after Jauan Jennings’ game winning touchdown catch.

I’ve tried to be fair when it comes to Butch Jones. I’ve been critical at times and I’ve praised him at times.

An unreal amount of criticism and attention is part of the deal when you take the job of head football coach at Tennessee. You better have thick skin because you’re pretty much on level ground with the governor.

So I’m going to try to be as straight up as possible in regards to Cowherd’s comments, specifically about the Georgia celebration.

I really don’t have a problem with how Jones celebrated at all.

It wasn’t so much about the fact that Tennessee beat Georgia to win that game. Hell, they beat Georgia last season.

That celebration, that emotional release, was relief. It was a feeling of “finally”.

No, it didn’t mean that Tennessee was back to an elite status.

But it was finally a moment that went the Vols’ way.

Tennessee was so close to big wins so many times over the years. But those moments that could have been joyous, usually provided heartbreak instead. But not when Jennings caught Dobbs’ pass against Georgia.

It was exceptionally special because Georgia quarterback Jacob Eason had just just put a dagger in the heart of Vol fans. Which was accompanied by a feeling of “here we go again”. Winning that game erased that feeling. That was what that moment from Butch Jones represented to me.

And that cool thing about it is that I feel Jones’ felt the years of disappointment right along with UT fans. Even the years before he was there.

Jones obviously has to do a better job in 2017. Most everyone will agree with that.

But just because the man is passionate or emotional has little to do with whether or not he can be successful.

Every coach has their own personality. Just because Saban is successful and not very emotional doesn’t mean that’s the only way to be successful.

Cowherd, however, was right about one thing and that’s the fact that Tennessee is indeed a top ten job.

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Which means if Jones doesn’t get the job done in 2017, it should be a very attractive job.

Especially with a more more talented roster than what was left to Jones in 2013.