Tennessee coaching analysis after Utah State

Butch Jones set the bar high in his team’s opening game.

Tennessee sent a message to the SEC that its rebuilding process may be farther along than most expected with a 38-7 win over Utah State. The Vols avoided an upset by a solid Aggies team to kickoff its 2014 season with a 1-0 record.

Jones and his staff called an excellent game on Sunday. As noted in the offensive analysis article, it seemed like the Tennessee coaches focused on spreading the ball to different skill players, rather than padding the stats of star players. Some may look at Sunday’s game as a disappointment for players with lofty expectations, such as Marquez North, who caught four passes for 38 yards. But the outcome speaks for itself. Team 118 will be judged on wins and losses, not All-SEC nominations.

Jones gave senior quarterback Justin Worley the reins of the offense this offseason and he’s been proven right thus far. Worley has seen an increase in production since working with Jones and his staff and should have a career season. In regards to Sunday, Worley benefited from balanced play calling and run support to open up passing plays. Tennessee also used more downfield passes than in the previous season. Perhaps with an improved group of wideouts, Jones will rely less on screen passes as a security blanket, much like he did in 2013.

It also must be noted how strongly the players seem to buy into his philosophy. Jones preaches to his roster about camaraderie and brotherhood and it is evident the team is working cohesively. When players are down with injuries, several teammates come over to help them and walk them off the field. They run back to the huddle between plays and back to the sidelines between quarters. Thus far, a great coaching display by Jones and his staff that will likely start a trend moving forward.