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Tennessee Vols Coaching Search: Just Say No To Matt Campbell

By Zach Ragan

AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 3: Head coach Matt Campbell of the Iowa State Cyclones coaches from the sidelines in the second half of play against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Jack Trice Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. Northern Iowa Panthers won 25-20 over the Iowa State Cyclones (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images)
AMES, IA - SEPTEMBER 3: Head coach Matt Campbell of the Iowa State Cyclones coaches from the sidelines in the second half of play against the Northern Iowa Panthers at Jack Trice Stadium on September 3, 2016 in Ames, Iowa. Northern Iowa Panthers won 25-20 over the Iowa State Cyclones (Photo by David Purdy/Getty Images) /
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The Tennessee Vols are still searching for their next head coach.

If we’re being honest, none of us have any clue who John Currie will hire as the Tennessee Vols’ next head coach.

We all have our guesses, but because there haven’t been many leaks, they’re just guesses at this point.

One of the popular names that’s been kicked around is Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell.

On the surface, Campbell would seem like a good hire. He’s young, he was successful at Toledo and he’s turned things around at Iowa State. He’s even proved he can win big games — his Cyclones upset Oklahoma and TCU this season.

But I’m not certain he’d actually be a good fit at Tennessee.

Hiring a head coach goes a bit beyond a Wikipedia resumé. Just because someone is successful in the environment at Iowa State, doesn’t mean they’d be successful in Knoxville.

Campbell’s “aww shucks” personality plays well in Ames, but that won’t fly in the SEC.

I don’t disagree with Campbell’s message, but I also don’t think you need to treat your players like they’re five year olds (even if some of them might end up acting like five year olds).

Campbell also doesn’t allow his players to go into bars during the season. Again, a good message and a good way to keep your kids out of trouble, but is it reasonable? Maybe, but I’m not sure it would go over well.

(Though this isn’t that unusual, Jimbo Fisher did the same thing at Florida State a few years ago. But that was more out of necessity at the time.)

I think Campbell is in the perfect spot for his personality right now. He’s a midwest guy through and through. He’s never been a coach in the south and he’s never had a taste of life in the SEC.

Does Tennessee really need to hire another coach with no SEC experience?

And maybe Campbell has just caught lightning in a bottle. If he stays at Iowa State another year and goes 6-6, will he still be a hot commodity in the college football world?

I don’t think he would be.

The Vols need to aim a bit higher with their next hire. The fan base deserves a proven winner, not another “up-and-comer” that proves to be a dud in the end.

Next: Vols Hot Board Of Coaching Candidates

Hopefully, John Currie is aware of how important this next hire if for his future as the Vols’ athletic director and the future of Tennessee’s football program.

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