Fired Tennessee football coach Butch Jones is finally coming off the Vols jumbotron at Neyland Stadium. Could Volunteers legend Al Wilson replace him?
Related Story: 10 Vols who need their jersey numbers retired
It’s become a bit of a joke. Tennessee football has not yet taken Butch Jones’s image off the jumbotron at Neyland Stadium, and he was fired over three months ago.
However, reports surfaced that work to remove it will begin Monday. So the question immediately came to this: Who would replace him?
Well, if the rumors are true, the Vols are turning to a legend to get on there. John Brice of Gridiron Now reported Wednesday that sources have indicated Al Wilson will replace Jones. And that’s a perfect choice.
After all, Wilson was an All-American linebacker and the leader of the 1998 national championship Tennessee football team. He is arguably Phillip Fulmer’s best player, yes, even beyond Peyton Manning, and is certainly one of the Top 10 players in school history. Also, don’t forget that he decided to stay for his senior season just like Manning.
More from Vols Football
- How to Win a GUARANTEED $200 Bonus Betting Just $5 on the Vols vs. Florida!
- Tennessee Football at Florida: Five Keys to a Vols Victory
- Week 3 SEC Power Rankings: Did Tennessee Football’s Win Help At All?
- Week 3 AP Polls: Why Did Tennessee Football Drop in the Polls?
- Tennessee Football: Top Five Performers in 30-13 Win vs. Austin Peay
The guy is a legend who should have his jersey retired alongside Manning, Reggie White and Doug Atkins. But if that’s not going to happen, it’s more than fair to put him up on the Neyland scoreboard.
According to Brice’s report, Wilson going up had been the original plan dating back to Jones’s firing. And whomever it is should be up by April 21.
Most people in Knoxville would agree that Wilson is not getting the recognition he deserves at Neyland Stadium. That’s not to take anything away from Manning, Atkins or White. But Wilson was the leader of the only 13-0 team in school history. That has to count for something.
Add in the fact that Johnny Majors, Phillip Fulmer and even Tee Martin, another member of that ’98 team, all have streets named after them, and it becomes clear Wilson deserves more respect. This is the perfect way to do it.
Next: 10 Vols bound for turnaround under Jeremy Pruitt
Whether or not Fulmer was behind the idea is unclear. However, he probably has as much an appreciation for Wilson as anybody. As a result, even if he wasn’t behind it, there’s no way he’d object to it.