Tennessee’s football program rolls into Christmas Day with a ton of momentum after the Vols successfully navigated last week’s Early Signing Period. Do more presents await? The Vols hope — and expect — as much.
There won’t be much time for a Christmas vacation this week for the Vols, who still have plenty of work to do. UT’s coaching staff is still incomplete and the February signing day is little more than a month away. However, the Vols can take a moment to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Then, it’s back to work. Here are five things that UT coach Jeremy Pruitt would love to find wrapped under the tree:
1. An offensive coordinator
If it seems like it’s been a month since Tyson Helton left the Vols to become Western Kentucky’s head coach, there’s good reason for that. It has been a month since Helton left and the Vols still don’t have an offensive coordinator. If it seems like Pruitt has interviewed countless candidates and not settled on one, there’s good reason for that, too. He has.
Amazingly, Pruitt was able to assemble the majority of a strong signing class without an offensive coordinator. At some point, that would have to be a detriment to recruiting. Surely with early signing in the past, Pruitt is close to naming someone to head up UT’s offense. Perhaps a surprise, big-name candidate is under the tree?
2. Another 5-star (or two … or three)
Despite Tennessee’s strong recruiting haul last week, the Vols are still lagging behind the best programs in the SEC when it comes to securing elite prospects. UT’s current recruiting class ranks sixth in the SEC. The Vols have 1 5-star signee and 9 4-star commitments/signees. By comparison, Alabama has 3 5-star pledges and 22 4-star prospects on board. Georgia has 5 5-star prospects in its class and 14 4-stars. The Vols are building a foundation but eventually UT must match its rivals in recruiting.
3. A Final Four run
Yes, this is a football column, but don’t underestimate what a historic run in the NCAA Tournament could mean for UT’s entire athletic program. The exposure that Rick Barnes’ basketball team would gain would be phenomenal for the university. The general vibe on campus would be palpable. UT’s football program will already benefit from the basketball program when it hosts official visitors. UT’s basketball program could help their football brethren even more with a deep tournament run in March.
4. Another Final Four run
Don’t forget about the ladies! Yes, the Lady Vols are also poised for a strong tournament run. While you might not think a strong run by a women’s program could help UT’s football team, I beg to differ. I’ll never forget what UT defensive back coach Terry Fair told me when we hosted a radio show together. The Phoenix, Ariz., native said he first became aware of UT by watching the Lady Vols in the NCAA Women’s Tournament. That opened the door for Fair to sign with UT.
5. A healthy Trey Smith
Forget about football. Keep Trey Smith in your thoughts and prayers for a healthy life after the offensive lineman was sidelined against last season with a recurrence of blood clots. I’m sure this is a trying time for the Smith family. Get well soon young man.
Dave Hooker started covering Tennessee in 1998. He hosts an SEC radio show out of Chattanooga and covers the SEC for Saturday Down South.
