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Tennessee football: Ranking Vols 6 offseason staff changes for 2019

By Caleb Calhoun

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers brings his team onto the field prior to a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Jeremy Pruitt of the Tennessee Volunteers brings his team onto the field prior to a game against the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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1. Replacing Tyson Helton with Jim Chaney as offensive coordinator

This was predictably the biggest move Tennessee football would made in the offseason. Tyson Helton was a disaster in his one year on Rocky Top, and although it wasn’t all his fault, may fans were glad to see him go.

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Following his departure to become head coach of the Western Kentucky Hilltoppers, Jeremy Pruitt had a wide open search for offensive coordinator. For a month and a half, the role was vacant, and names like Kendal Briles, Hugh Freeze, Jeff Lebby, Mike Yurcich, Eli Drinkwitz, Steve Sarkisian, Matt Canada, Neal Brown, Joe Osovet and Will Friend all popped up for the role.

While Pruitt went with a familiar name, he went with a guy who was part of the failed Derek Dooley coaching staff. Pruitt brought Jim Chaney away from the Georgia Bulldogs to be the Vols’ offensive coordinator.

The move itself is huge for the Vols because it’s the most important assistant coach role given the fact that Jeremy Pruitt, even if he gave up play-calling duties technically, will still be heavily involved on the defensive side of the ball. As a result, offensive coordinator is naturally the biggest move Pruitt made.

But it also is a move that could end up being a very good one. Chaney does know how to maximize talent, even if he has issues being too predictable at times. His last year on Rocky Top, despite Dooley getting fired, was 2012, in which the Vols put up record offensive numbers. That’s why fans are fine having him back.

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One big plus for Pruitt is that Chaney doesn’t have to coach any positions directly either. As a result, he can focus solely on calling plays, which could maybe add more creativity to his coaching, the one thing he has been criticized for. Regardless, Tennessee football’s offensive coordinator move was its biggest in the offseason. And it could end up being the best given the upgrade from Helton.

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