Media react to Tennessee firing assistant coach mid-season
The Tennessee Volunteers fired defensive line coach and co-defensive coordinator Jimmy Brumbaugh following the 34-7 loss to the Kentucky Wildcats.
Brumbaugh was hired in February to replace Tracy Rocker, whose contract wasn’t renewed. Rocker is now coaching at South Carolina, and he’s doing a strong job with the Gamecocks’ defensive line.
It’s somewhat of a surprising move 4 games into the 2020 season, but after losing to Kentucky, somebody had to pay. Brumbaugh’s defensive line was gashed by Kentucky’s running game in the second half of Saturday’s game.
Following the news of Brumbaugh’s firing, reactions started pouring in by media members:
#Vols‘ D-Line hasn’t been great and definitely could be better, and those concerns date back to preseason camp, but I wouldn’t put it anywhere near the list of this team’s biggest problems right now.
Surprising move, for sure. Probably a combination of things. We’ll see.
— Wes Rucker (@wesrucker247) October 19, 2020
Lose to Kentucky by 27, somebody has to pay https://t.co/iw5WDqth1X
— Pat Forde (@ByPatForde) October 19, 2020
I said when Tracy Rocker left Tennessee that it would be a blow and that South Carolina was getting a great coach.
His replacement didn’t last half the season while South Carolina’s young d-line is playing really well this season.
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) October 19, 2020
That’s…. surprising. https://t.co/EUwpHyZzcZ
— Derek Terry (@DerekSTerry) October 19, 2020
Brumbaugh’s players didn’t throw three consecutive interceptions https://t.co/sA312DWpoW
— Bryan Matthews (@BMattAU) October 19, 2020
Awfully abrupt ending for a two-year assistant deal. Northeast Florida guy for you 904s. https://t.co/ohpBUM5vT6
— Chase Goodbread (@ChaseGoodbread) October 19, 2020
As Alabama-Tennessee week begins. https://t.co/I3S8ZKfieJ
— Michael Casagrande (@ByCasagrande) October 19, 2020
SEC making moves on position coaches during a pandemic season after four games. #itjustmeansmore https://t.co/oIHhyrTkri
— Sean Callahan (@Sean_Callahan) October 19, 2020
Wow. UT announced his hiring by Jeremy Pruitt Feb. 21st. Just 8 months and 4 games. https://t.co/VO3KzpzD0V
— 99.1 The Sports Animal (@SportsRadioWNML) October 19, 2020
