Keeping true to his college roots is something Peyton Manning, a first ballot Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback when the time comes, believes Tennessee head coach Butch Jones has the Vols heading in the right direction. While speaking at a charity golf tournament Monday, Manning showed support for the head coach of his alma mater.
“I really like Butch,” Manning said, according to the Associated Press. “I’m a big Butch Jones fan.”
Jones is ramping up for his second season in charge of the once dominant SEC and national power. Rebuilding the program after years under Lane Kiffin and Derek Dooley is a bit of a work in progress but Jones has generated some new enthusiasm around the program through recruiting. Just over the weekend former Alabama running back Alvin Kamara announced he was joining Tennessee.
“I think it’s going in the right direction,” said Manning. “I think Butch had a lot of work to do when he got here. He’s put in that work. He’s signing some of his players. Every coach wants to have their players. He’s been patient. At the same time, he’s been hard-working, as he was advertised to be. He’s done that. I just see it continuing to get better. I really do.”
Tennessee may not be ready to challenge South Carolina or Georgia for the SEC East just yet, but after finishing each of the past four seasons in the bottom half of the SEC East division, the Vols could be ready to start moving back up in the division. That needs to be the first goal for Tennessee this season, and it is not all that unrealistic. It will not be easy though, with road games at South Carolina and Georgia and a home game against Alabama.
