The Tennessee Vols made a splash hire this weekend by landing Penn State defensive coordinator Bob Shoop as a replacement for the recently departed John Jancek.
ICYMI: #Tennessee landed #PennState DC Bob Shoop. Here's why it's a big get for the #Vols: https://t.co/j22n1zogSb
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) January 10, 2016
Shoop (who is one of two fantastic hires by Butch Jones this off-season, the other being new tight ends coach Larry Scott, who was Miami’s interim head coach after Al Golden was fired) was lured away from Penn State and James Franklin (Shoop has been with Franklin since 2011 at Vanderbilt). According to Fox Sports’ Bruce Feldman, Shoop had previously turned down opportunities at Auburn and LSU.
Feldman describes Shoop as a coach that makes excellent in-game adjustments and is also a great play-caller. Feldman noted that Shoop led Penn State to the second best defense in the nation during his first season.
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Shoop, who reportedly agreed to a three-year deal as Tennessee’s defensive coordinator, is exactly what the Vols need in order to take the next step in 2016.
The pieces are in place. Tennessee has the talent. Now they just need someone to take the defense to a championship level — and that’s exactly what Shoop will do.
But Vol fans shouldn’t get too comfortable with Shoop on Rocky Top. If he does what he’s expected, he’ll be a hot head coaching commodity in the coming years.
Of course that shouldn’t bother Vol fans too much. Tennessee is built to compete for national championships as soon as this upcoming season.