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Tennessee Football: 3 coaches to take over as head coach

By Colton Pickard

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 26: Fans take their seats before the Tennessee Volunteers play against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 26: Fans take their seats before the Tennessee Volunteers play against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Neyland Stadium on October 26, 2019 in Knoxville, Tennessee. (Photo by Silas Walker/Getty Images) /
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Jan 2, 2021; Glendale, AZ, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell celebrates with the trophy after the Fiesta Bowl against the Oregon Ducks at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 2, 2021; Glendale, AZ, USA; Iowa State Cyclones head coach Matt Campbell celebrates with the trophy after the Fiesta Bowl against the Oregon Ducks at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports /

Iowa State head coach Matt Campbell

Coming off a victory in the Fiesta Bowl, Matt Campbell is one of a few coaches that have found success at the Power 5 level that might be looking to move up above Iowa State.

Whether that’s in the Big 10, Big 12, SEC, PAC-12, or ACC, Campbell can move up if the right offer comes across his desk. That offer could come via the University of Tennessee, given the Vols offer more amenities and possibilities than Iowa State.

As a successful head coach at Iowa State, it’s probably hard for Campbell to see Tennessee as a better job than Iowa State right now. He’s coming off his best season as the Cyclones head coach at 9-3 and a New Year’s Six bowl victory in the Fiesta Bowl. His Cyclones also finished the season in the top-ten.

He could be competing for a Big 12 championship in 2021, so leaving that situation for Tennessee might not be on his agenda this year.

His recent success might be enough to propel him to a bigger stage, but he’s really only had one season at the Power 5 level that has been successful. At Iowa State, he’s had two eight-win seasons and one seven-win season.

For Iowa State, 8-5 might be considered successful, with anything above that as a great season. I think Campbell knows that and knows that 8-5 will be the floor in a few years if he takes the Tennessee job, which could scare him away from the job.

I think Campbell could be a good coach at Tennessee with the possibility to be great, but he’s yet to prove he can be an elite coach at the top level, but he’s shown flashes of potential this past season as to what could come if he’s given the opportunity.

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