All for Tennessee
Fansided

Tennessee football’s last five seasons returning both coordinators

By Caleb Calhoun

Defensive coordinator Tim Banks runs a drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 1066
Defensive coordinator Tim Banks runs a drill during Tennessee football spring practice at University of Tennessee, Thursday, March 24, 2022.Volspractice0324 1066 /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
Tennessee coaches John Chavis, left, and Trooper Taylor fire up the defense on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Vol defense yielded 510 yards as the Tide rolled over the Vols 41-17, dropping Tennessee’s season record to 4-3.Photo by Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel staffUtbama12 Mp8612
Tennessee coaches John Chavis, left, and Trooper Taylor fire up the defense on Saturday in Tuscaloosa, Ala. The Vol defense yielded 510 yards as the Tide rolled over the Vols 41-17, dropping Tennessee’s season record to 4-3.Photo by Michael Patrick/Knoxville News Sentinel staffUtbama12 Mp8612 /

2. team. 839. . 2007. . Volunteers

10-4; SEC East Champions; W Outback Bowl; No. 12 AP and Coaches

  • Head coach: Phillip Fulmer (15th year)
  • Offensive coordinator: David Cutcliffe (2nd year, 8th year overall)
  • Defensive coordinator: John Chavis (13th year)

Welcome to the only memorable season on this list in which Tennessee football returned both coordinators. It also just so happens to be the last time the Vols won 10 games or won the SEC East, and it came from the two coordinators most closely associated with Phillip Fulmer.

David Cutcliffe retuned to the Vols for a second stint in 2006. He was Fulmer’s OC from 1993 to 1998 and saw tons of success. This time, his task was to remake Erik Ainge, and he turned Ainge into the most efficient quarterback in school history while turning wide receiver Robert Meachem into an All-American.

The next year, with Meachem gone, Cutcliffe improved the running game and focused on elite protection. Meanwhile, John Chavis was in his 13th year there, and his pressure schemes were still crucial to the defense. Anchoring that unit was Jerod Mayo.

Key losses resulted in awful defensive play early on, as the Vols allowed over 40 points in losses to the Cal Golden Bears, Florida Gators and Alabama Crimson Tide. However, they regrouped down the stretch and won their final five games, three by less than a field goal to win the East.

Two late interceptions by Ainge cost them the SEC Championship game, but they then beat the Wisconsin Badgers 21-17 in the Outback Bowl. Cutcliffe then left to take over the Duke Blue Devils, and Fulmer made the hire that did in his tenure with Tennessee football: Dave Clawson.

Home/Vols Football