It’s a little early for coaching rumors, but it appears they are already in full swing.
Most folks assume that Michigan head coach Brady Hoke will be out sooner rather than later, which means the Wolverines will be in the market for a new head coach.
Naturally, if and when Hoke is fired, the focus will shift to several names. Among those names will be Michigan alums Jim Harbaugh and Les Miles.
Also among those names, according to FootballRumorMill.com (a fairly well plugged in site), is Michigan native and current Tennessee Vols head coach Butch Jones.
From Football Rumor Mill
"Most insiders now assume Michigan will dump Brady Hoke. Barring a major turnaround, it appears to be more a matter of when – not if – a change will be made. We continue to hear the same names.The Harbaugh brothers, Les Miles, Dan Mullen and Butch Jones are all in the mix, but it remains to be seen who’s actually attainable? Would the Wolverines really hire a 61 year old in Miles? Would they give the kind of control the Harbaughs would require? Would they really hire a Rich Rodriguez disciple?"
The article says that Jones is “in the mix”.
I tend to think that’s more speculation than anything. Nothing has changed about Hoke’s status at Michigan and I seriously doubt that Jones has had any contact with Michigan.
I never say never in coaching, but I don’t think Vol fans have anything to worry about here. I think Jones is genuine when he said that Tennessee is his dream job.
I also believe that Jones has shown us all we need to know about his character. There hasn’t been a coach at Tennessee that’s embraced Vol history like Jones since Phillip Fulmer.
Butch Jones certainly appears to be committed to Tennessee.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Jones quickly put an end to any job speculation.