1. Is Butch Jones the man to get Tennessee football back to the top?
The Vols’ biggest sport, football, is much healthier than the last time Tennessee had to hire an AD. When Tennessee hired Dave Hart in September of 2011, the football program was about to suffer through the last two years of the Derek Dooley era and had just gone through the Lane Kiffin fiasco. Football is healthier now, but it’s still not at the level most fans want it to be.
Tennessee had five losing seasons in six years from 2008-2013, but now the team has managed back-to-back 9-4 records and have won three consecutive bowl games. The Vols have yet to win the SEC East at any point in the last few years despite being undeniable favorites this season. Some Vol fans think if Butch Jones doesn’t win the East again this season, his job should be in jeopardy. Time will tell if Currie shares that sentiment should that indeed happen.
Ultimately, he’ll need to make a long-term decision about Jones in the next year or two. He’ll either need to extend his contract or fire him and look for his own guy. The on-field results in 2017 will play a major role in that decision.
