Tennessee Vols morning report: Butch Jones status, Grumors
The status of Tennessee Vols football head coach Butch Jones along with Jon Gruden rumors lead the Volunteers news for Monday, Oct. 30, 2017.
Yes, it’s the Monday following another football loss to move the Tennessee Vols to 3-5 in Butch Jones’s fifth season with the program. And since it was a loss to Kentucky, fans on Rocky Top could not be more restless.
The football coaching carousel has started with the Florida Gators’ firing of Jim McElwain, and Tennessee’s relevance in that is a huge story. It leads our first two news stories of today’s morning report.
We also have a little bit of regular football information to bring you following the game on Saturday. That includes a quote from a player.
The postseason awards for another sport and the outcomes of four other sports are also on the list. So let’s go ahead with our Tennessee Vols news this Monday, starting with the coaching rumors.
Butch Jones still head coach of Tennessee Vols – Patrick Brown, GoVols247
Tennessee football head coach will still hold his Monday press conference ahead of the Vols’ match-up against the Southern Miss Golden Eagles this weekend. Whether or not he survives the season is still up in the air. But the fact that he hasn’t been fired immediately is making numerous fans restless.
"An email from Tennessee’s sports information department on Sunday night confirmed embattled head coach Butch Jones will hold his weekly Monday press conference as planned, seemingly confirming Jones will be on the sidelines for Saturday’s homecoming game against Southern Miss."
Rumors: Vols pursuing Gruden – Oliver Connolly & Trey Wallace, The Read Optional
They may not have fired Butch Jones yet. But a report on Sunday said that a source confirmed the Tennessee Vols are heavily pursuing Jon Gruden to be their next head coach. If he doesn’t work out, they have a deep list of names to also go after.
"Sources have confirmed to The Read Optional reports from elsewhere that Tennessee has offered over $10 million a year to Jon Gruden. The rest of the name’s on the school’s list currently matches Florida’s — Tennessee’s list also includes Gary Patterson (TCU), Bobby Petrino (Louisville) and Jeff Brohm (Purdue)."
Guarantano takes blame for Kentucky loss – Blake Toppmeyer, Knoxville News Sentinel
Everybody is blaming Butch Jones, but in a major sign of maturity, Tennessee Vols freshman quarterback willingly shouldered blame for his team’s loss to the Kentucky Wildcats on Saturday. When it comes to blaming players, Guarantano shouldn’t even be near the top of the list. But he is clearly showing competitive fire and a desire to win. And he’s willing to take the heat.
"Tennessee had six red-zone trips compared to Kentucky’s four. But UK converted each of those opportunities into a touchdown. The Vols scored two TDs and settled for four field goals on trips inside the 20.“We’ve got to capitalize on those opportunities,” Guarantano said."
Five Tennessee soccer players make postseason All-SEC – SEC Staff
Three Tennessee Vols earned first-team All-SEC: Khadija Shaw, Katie Cousins and Maya Neal. Meanwhile, Anna Bialczak earned second-team All-SEC, and Erin Gilroy made the SEC All-Freshman team.
"The Southeastern Conference unveiled its soccer coaches’ postseason awards Sunday to cap off another exciting season of SEC soccer."
Tennessee volleyball defeats LSU – UTSports
The Tennessee Vols volleyball team defeated the LSU Tigers 3-0 Sunday. With the win, they improved to 11-9 and 4-7 in the SEC.
"Tessa Grubbs had a team-high 11 kills and a .375 hitting percentage as Tennessee picked up a 3-0 (25-23, 25-19, 25-21) road win against the Tigers of LSU at the Pete Maravich Center Sunday afternoon."
Tennessee golf takes lead at East Deli Bay Classic – UTSports
The Tennessee Vols men’s golf team took the lead in the opening round of the East Deli Bay Classic, shooting 10-over par for a score of 298.
"Playing alongside the Atlantic Ocean at the Turtle Point Golf Course at the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, the Vols stand six strokes ahead of second-place Rutgers with the only sub-300 score of the day."
Men’s tennis finishes 49ers Fall Invite – UTSports
Scott Jones and Luca Wiedenmann both won matches Sunday while Andrew Rogers lost the consolation final of his draw in Charlotte.
"The Tennessee men’s tennis team wrapped up the 49ers Fall Invite with a trio of matches Sunday."
Women’s tennis finishes fall season – UTSports
The Tennessee Vols women’s tennis team finished their fall season Sunday, the third day of the Tennessee Fall Invite.
"While UT only went 2-3 in singles, the Lady Vols forced all three of the losses to third sets against a solid Wake Forest team. Sophomores Ariadna Riley and Johanna Silva both earned wins on the day. Riley downed Eliza Omirou, 6-4, 6-1, and Silva defeated Courtney Meredith, 6-4, 6-3."