Butch Jones Embracing Former Tennessee Coaches

Jul 17, 2013; Hoover, AL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers head coach Butch Jones talks with the media during the 2013 SEC football media days at the Hyatt Regency. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

There’s a lot of reasons that Butch Jones took the job at Tennessee, but one word that you constantly hear when Jones explains his decision is tradition.

Tennessee is one of the most tradition rich schools in all of college football. (Just check out some of the great Vol traditions)

A lot of those traditions were put in place by former coaches, most notably Doug Dickey.

Dickey is responsible for traditions such as: The Power T on the helmets, checkerboard endzones and running through the “T”, among others.

It should come as no surprise that Butch Jones is leaning on some these great former coaches. He was asked directly about his relationship with former coaches on Wednesday at SEC Media Days and here’s what he had to say.

"Coach Fulmer and Coach Majors have been a tremendous resource, Coach Dickey as well…….The more I can speak with them, the more they can come around, the better.They’re the ones that have really laid the foundation………I’ve taken great advantage of speaking with them and building those relationships."

It’s refreshing to see Phillip Fulmer being embraced by Butch Jones. Especially since the legendary Vols coach didn’t have the most glorious departure from Tennessee.

Butch Jones recognizes and appreciates those that have come before him and paved the way for Tennessee to be what is today, and what it’s capable of returning to in the coming years.