Today On Rocky Top: Tennessee Volunteers News

Nov 10, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Justin Hunter (11) catches a pass against Missouri Tigers defensive back E.J. Gaines (31) during the second half at Neyland Stadium. Missouri defeated Tennessee 51-48 in quadruple overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports

From Go Vols Xtra

"Tennessee heads into the NCAA softball tournament this weekend holding numerous advantages.The Lady Vols are loaded with elite talent, up and down the lineup. The top half of the order, in particular, can hit the cover off the ball.Softball is so much about pitching. Tennessee (44-10) has not one, but two, seasoned stoppers in sisters Ivy and Ellen Renfroe."

From WBIR

"Tennessee tennis coaches Sam Winterbotham and Chris Woodruff and sophomore Mikelis Libietis earned ITA Ohio Valley Region honors Tuesday afternoon.Winterbotham was named the region’s coach of the year for the fourth time in his seven-year tenure at Tennessee. The sixth-ranked Vols (25-8) returned to the national stage this season with a second-place finish in the Southeastern Conference and a trip back to the final 16 site of the NCAA Championships."

From Bleacher Report

"Butch Jones has officially held the position of head coach at the University of Tennessee for over six months. In that span, Jones has already made excellent progress towards improving the downtrodden Volunteer football program.Though it is too soon to put a grade on the hire made by Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart, Jones’ first offseason on Rocky Top has definitely caught the attention of the Vols’ passionate fan base. The first instance of optimism felt by UT fans toward the newly hired coach occurred during his introductory press conference."

From Go Vols Xtra

"Nearly 20 years ago, when Butch Jones was a young college assistant on the recruiting trail, he always looked forward to visiting Bob Welton’s high school on the shores of Lake Michigan.Welton was detail-oriented and organized. His players were smart and well-coached.“I knew the type of player I would be recruiting,” Jones told the News Sentinel.A friendship developed between the two coaches, who stayed in contact even while Welton’s career path took him to the NFL and Jones became a highly sought-after head coach."

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