Tennessee head coach Butch Jones was up during the first day of the SEC’s 2017 spring meetings in Destin, Fla. The Volunteer coach shared his thoughts on graduate transfers, the high number of new coaches on his staff, the early signing day period and Tennessee coaches working with Lane Kiffin and FAU.

Jones on some concerns regarding graduate transfers:

“We can’t turn this into free agency. I understand everything that goes into it but I’m more or less going to sit back a little bit and form an opinion based on everyone else and their thoughts. I do think there are some stipulations that need to occur to allow a young man the ability to do that. I think we have to be very, very careful. I think there are a lot of discussions and dialogue behind the scenes that aren’t permissible, we have to be very careful that the protect the integrity of our profession.”

Jones was asked if he was concerned that people may be recruiting players on other people’s rosters:

“Correct, yes. We have to be careful that we don’t let that happen.”

Jones on the challenges of having five new members of his coaching staff:

“It’s been very rewarding. First of all, these five individuals have come in and added a whole new level of expertise, energy, excitement and our players have really fed off that. It’s been exciting for our players because, at the end of the day, they’re responsible for building their own identity. A lot of these individuals were given a fresh start, a clean slate so to speak. So they are responsible for what they create on a daily basis.”

Jones on the early signing day period:

“We’ll see… First of all, for us, you are preparing for post-season play. Now you are going out and you have a signing day coming. From an academic standpoint, when are their grades finished? Then, just the overall health and welfare of the high school football, high school coaching aspect of things. You are going to have more individuals taking official visits during the season, where are they at with their teams? Where are they at with finishing their high school career? I’ve spoken to a number of high school coaches and I don’t know many that are in favor of it.”

Jones on new NCAA rule banning high school coaches from camps:

“Everything in our profession is about growth and development. When we bring in high school coaches to work our camp we would have a clinic section. We wanted them to clinic a little bit (to observe them)… I think the growth and development is hurt by that.”

Jones on Tennessee coaches working with the FAU camp with Lane Kiffin:

“I know there will be a number of institutions there. South Florida is an important area for us. We are thankful for the opportunity.”