High Praise For Josh Dobbs From Mike DeBord
By Zach Ragan
In Mike DeBord’s first year as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator, he will have at least one advantage that Mike Bajakian never had during his tenure on Rocky Top — he’ll know from the first day of spring practice who his starting quarterback will be.
Josh Dobbs, for the second consecutive season, finished the 2014 season as the Vols’ starting quarterback.
However, unlike after Dobbs’ freshman year, there’s no doubt that he’ll be the starter heading into 2015.
Dobbs finished the 2014 season by putting up some gaudy numbers. The Georgia native rushed for 469 yards and eight touchdowns, while throwing for 1206 yards and nine touchdowns, in the Vols’ final six games.
The best game of the season for Dobbs came in Tennessee’s thrilling overtime win against South Carolina. Dobbs rushed for 166 yards and three touchdowns and threw for 301 yards and two touchdowns, leading the Vols to their second straight victory over the Gamecocks.
There’s no doubt that Dobbs brings a dynamic element to Tennessee’s offense that was missing during the first part of the 2014 season. Dobbs, who will be a junior this season, is a natural fit in Butch Jones’ up-tempo offense.
Nothing against Justin Worley, he truly gave his all for Tennessee during his time in Knoxville, but Dobbs is the type of quarterback the Vols need in order to be successful in 2015.
Naturally, one of Mike DeBord’s first tasks as Tennessee’s new offensive coordinator was to familiarize himself with his starting quarterback.
Well that’s exactly what he did (starting at his interview) and DeBord already has some high praise for Dobbs.
DeBORD: I love being around @josh_dobbs1, he sat in my office until 10 pm last Friday. On my interview I watched film with him...
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) February 25, 2015
DeBORD: I told him during interview things he could improve on his stance and two weeks later he made adjustments. He’s a sponge.
— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) February 25, 2015
DeBord’s transition to Tennessee’s offensive coordinator should be seamless, thanks to an established quarterback who has already had success with the system that DeBord hopes to build upon.
2015 is a season full of big expectations for the Volunteers. A new offensive coordinator doesn’t change a single expectation for the third year of the Butch Jones era.