3. Tennessee’s prestige factor is increasing
It wasn’t that long ago in the Derek Dooley era when assistant coaches were jumping ship, making lateral, or even backwards moves at times, to get out of Knoxville and find a more stable situation. Even in the past couple years, the Vols didn’t seem like they were at a place where they could convince other employed, well-payed, highly-sought-after coaches to come coach at Tennessee. There was a stigma, and a level of uncertainty, that seemed to come with the job.
The Shoop hire seems to signal a change in that mindset. Auburn wanted him. LSU wanted him. He wasn’t willing to give either a ton of consideration. But without even a huge raise, Jones and Tennessee were able to attract him to Knoxville. Perhaps they sold the city, the chance to win an SEC title or the new-found stability of the program to get the deal done. Whatever they did, they showed that the prestige factor at Tennessee is increasing.
