SEC Head Coach Evaluation: Tennessee Volunteers’ Butch Jones

Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

SEC football coaches are constantly being evaluated, and we do our part to add to that. This is the sixth in our series of head football coach evaluations for the conference.

SEC Head Coach Evaluation:  Mark Richt

SEC Head Coach Evaluation:  Steve Spurrier

SEC Head Coach Evaluation:  Derek Mason

SEC Head Coach Evaluation:  Jim McElwain

SEC Head Coach Evaluation:  Gary Pinkel

So far in these evaluations, the outcome has rarely been in doubt.  The subject coaches have either been there long enough to form near consensus opinions, will be in their first year, or gloriously flopped ingloriously.  The two remaining coaches enter what could very well be make-or-break third years. Their evaluations will also be a touch different as there is not as much evidence to draw definitive conclusions on just yet….screw that.  That is for non fans.  They will get the thumbs up or down too.

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The similarities basically end at it being a make-or-break year for Butch Jones and Mark Stoops, though.  Fan and media expectations alike could barely be more different for the two programs this year.

We will go use the predicted order of finish for who gets their evaluation first.  Sidenote for the BIG 1(1) trolls:  that means Butch Jones will get his evaluation before Mark Stoops.

Butch Jones has elevated the Volunteers’ win total and talent level each year he has been at Tennessee.  The time is now for him to begin delivering on his “brick by brick” promise.  Recruits and fans are only attracted to the new coach on the block for so long if serious wins do not begin following soon behind.

Never to let the silver lining escape me, there is good news.  Over the course of his career, Jones has thus far shown himself to be a winner.  He has built a 62-40 resume to go

along with six bowl appearances in his eight seasons as a head coach.  While he does still own a 37-23 conference record, he has yet to attain a .500 season in conference since joining the SEC  (5-11 overall).

Next: Why Butch Is Good for Vols