July 15, 2014 But we are still going through the realities An interview with: of building a college football program. We're the only school in the country that has to replace both starting interior lines, both offensively and COACH BUTCH JONES defensively. We have to replace our entire kicking game. KEVIN TRAINOR: We're going to So for us the challenge is going to be to continue with the head coach of the Tennessee maintain our focus, having consistency in Volunteers, Coach Butch Jones. performance, and really understanding what it COACH JONES: Thank you. It's great to takes to play winning football week in and week see everyone this time of year again. Before I out. start, I'd first off like to say thank you for all that You'll hear me talk about the power of one. you do in promoting our student-athletes, The one is very powerful with this football team promoting the Southeastern Conference, and because being so young we have to focus on the promoting the University of Tennessee. It's the moment. We have to win one moment at a time, best game going. Appreciate all your efforts and one play at the same time, one practice at the everything that you do. same time, one day at the same time, have one Obviously it's an exciting time of year right unity of purpose, one common commitment, and now. Everyone is extremely optimistic. Everyone one mindset. starts at 0-0. No two teams are ever the same. It's all about our players understanding That's why we've moved on from team 117 to team they have to earn the right to win. There's a 118 at Tennessee. difference between earning the right to win and On average, a third of college football hoping to win. Our players are doing that just right teams change, the dynamics change, you have to now. reinvent yourselves each and every year. There's Our veteran players have done a great job new opportunities for everyone in your football of really mentoring our younger players. That's program from leadership to the roles of your why A.J. Johnson, Curt Maggitt and Mack Crowder players. are with us today. They've earned the right to For us at Tennessee, we're a little bit represent the University of Tennessee with their different. We're not at the norm in terms of having consistency and their approach on a day-to-day to replace a third of our football. We're having to basis but also their leadership qualities. replace almost half of our football team. We had two freshmen that played for us This year half of our roster will be last year that were freshmen All-Americans in brand-new. With that that has brought a lot of terms of Marquez North and Cam Sutton. We're positive energy, excitement, momentum that going to rely on them. surrounds Tennessee football. So much As I talked about the power of one, the momentum, not just from a program standpoint in whole key for us is how do we manage the natural terms of football, but from facility improvements, adversities that a college football season brings from recruiting, just the overall development that's about, the daily demands of being a going on at Tennessee. student-athlete, the media, going on the road and We've had an influx of young talent and winning in hostile environments, to the time youthfulness. We were very fortunate to sign a management that's required, community service, signing class of 32, 14 of which were early all that that embodies being a student-athlete. So enrollees, so they were present during spring it's going to be how this football team can manage football. That really helped in the overall those natural adversities. development of our football program. Coach Jones - 07 15 14 1 visit our archives at asapsports.com But we have great team chemistry. I like COACH JONES: Well, every game's where this football team is right now. Looking going to be critical. Again, I'm going to go back to forward to starting practice on August 1st. Quite the power of one. I'm concerned about Utah State, simply, it's going to be how fast can we jump the then moving forward. learning curve. We'll find out in a hurry with a But I believe Florida's going to be an great opponent in Utah State. exceptionally talented football team. I think they're But I'll answer any questions you may going to be one of the teams to beat. Coach have at this particular time. Muschamp is a great coach. They have our respect, just like every program in this great Q. What does it say about Curt? You conference. called him the heart and soul of your team, But for us, we can't even look down that despite never having coached him during a path right now. We have to focus on day one of game. What do you expect from him this training camp, really worry about ourselves in upcoming season? terms of the process, focusing on the process and COACH JONES: Well, I think it speaks the journey that we're about right to embark on. volumes about Curt Maggitt. He is the leader of our football team. He was the leader last year. Q. How well are the incoming freshmen Unfortunately he wasn't able to participate on the taking to the traditions of the University of field. Tennessee? So being able to get him back on the grass COACH JONES: You know what, they've for our football team, he's going to be a presence. done a great job. I think the thing where we've He's a very talented football player. He'll add an been aided and benefited from is we have six edge presence to our defense, but also we'll move legacy players whose fathers played at the him around at linebacker. He demands respect. University of Tennessee and were great players. He's accountable to his teammates. We want individuals that have grown up So to be able to have his voice on the field understanding the rivalry with Alabama, with when we're in the battles is going to be critical in Florida, understanding the traditions that we have us moving forward. I'm looking forward to getting at the University of Tennessee. So the legacy him out on the field and practicing. players have helped. But this is a class that wanted to be at the Q. This is your second year at University of Tennessee, and they take great pride Tennessee. For you what's the best part about and onus in having that upon their shoulders of coaching at Tennessee and in the SEC? getting Tennessee football back to its rightful place COACH JONES: Well, it's the relevance among the elite of college football. and magnitude that's the University of Tennessee. We always talk, about in recruiting people, make a Q. I know you talked about the rivalry place, and we have great people. We have what I with Alabama. The criticisms of that 6-1-1 feel is one of the best fan bases in the country. format is that it protects those two games. Do We have a great administration led by Chancellor you think you would have supported a change Cheek and Dave Hart. We're all aligned. That's in the format if you were a coach of a different what we sell all the time is being total alignment in school? What was your discussion with other your messaging, same principles, same value, coaches? same beliefs. It's only a matter of time. COACH JONES: Well, all I can speak on The University of Tennessee has so much is the University of Tennessee. I feel Coach to offer a prospective student-athlete. It's an honor Saban feels the same way. What makes college and privilege to be the head football coach there. I football special are the traditions, the rivalries. It's don't take that lightly. been a traditional rivalry. Now, we have to get I love my job and I love being at back to making these rivalry games relevant again. Tennessee. It's in our DNA at the University of Tennessee and the University of Alabama. Q. The matchup against Florida later in They're very special to us. I think that's what kind the year is a big one with Muschamp coaching of makes up the pageantry of college football. for his job, your young team. How important is that game? Coach Jones - 07 15 14 2 visit our archives at asapsports.com Every school has their own reasons and all To take time away from some of your lift that, but I also think that's one of the great things sessions to do film study, it's a great balancing act that separates the Southeastern Conference, is the for us. grind of a long football season and the great teams I also still think there comes a point in time that play each other week in and week out. in the summer that they need a break from the coaches and the coaches need a break from them. Q. I know it might not have offered Kind of reenergize yourself. much momentum during the season, but how It's been a balancing act for us. But it critical in terms of laying the groundwork for came at the proper time for us just because of the program was it to beat South Carolina last trying to get so many freshmen ready to play.