Donnie Tyndall Introduced As Vols New Head Coach
By Zach Ragan
Dec 18, 2013; Bowling Green, KY, USA; Southern Miss Golden Eagles head coach Donnie Tyndall during the second half against the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers at E.A. Diddle Arena. Western Kentucky won 68-65. Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
The Tennessee Volunteers introduced Donnie Tyndall as their new men’s head basketball coach on Tuesday afternoon.
Tyndall, immediately drawing comparisons to fellow Michigan native Butch Jones, was full of energy as he took the podium for the first time as the Vols’ head coach.
After being introduced by athletic director Dave Hart, Tyndall started by applauding the Vols’ Sweet 16 run before diving into what to expect during his tenure.
Tyndall said he expects his team to handle themselves in a “first class manner”, saying “We will not have thugs and renegades”.
As far as on the court, Tyndall says the Vols will press after every made basket and push the ball after missed baskets and rebounds.
The new Volunteers head coach also acknowledged that his entire staff from Southern Mississippi would be coming with him to Knoxville in some capacity.
Tyndall, echoing Butch Jones’ sentiments from his introductory press conference, said he would place an importance on recruiting in Memphis and the entire state of Tennessee. He also said that Tennessee would “play second fiddle to no one” when it comes to recruiting.
The biggest issue immediately facing Tyndall will be retaining the four incoming recruits. Tyndall said he’s already contacted three of the four recruits and will continue a dialogue with them on Tuesday evening.
Tyndall is definitely excited to be on Rocky Top. He called Tennessee a “destination job” and much like Butch Jones he held off on other job opportunities in hopes that the UT job would come open.
Even though Tyndall wasn’t necessarily the first choice for the job, it appears that Dave Hart was able to get the best man for the job. A man that truly wants to be in Knoxville, whose personality fits perfectly with what Tennessee is doing athletically these days.