Butch Jones responds to 'champions of life' criticism
When Tennessee coach Butch Jones called the Volunteers’ senior class “the champions of life,” despite not winning the SEC East, it didn’t go over very well in the media.
The comment was naturally a target for memes and trolling. A sideline reporter covering a high school game worked in a witty reference. The Hefty Lefty got in on the fun. Even the SEC Network piled on the Vols.
At a Monday press conference for the Music City Bowl, Jones attempted to defend the comment, which has become something of a punchline online.
Butch Jones on champions for life "I want to say 7 college football programs have that motto so when I said it it didn't resonate very well"
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— Rhiannon Potkey (@TennesseeBeat) December 26, 2016
Jones might be right about other schools using it as a motto, but not many people will buy that as the reason that the quote “didn’t resonate very well.”
While Jones may be the butt of jokes on Twitter, in coaching circles his team’s 8-4 record despite numerous injuries and the starting running back quitting the team has impressed his peers:
#Vols' Butch Jones said many coaches are "calling me saying how did you do it? How did you manage? You’ve had so many adversities happen."
— Rhiannon Potkey (@TennesseeBeat) December 26, 2016
As a long time Vols fan I am thankful that Butch Jones is our coach. A lesser coach, aka Lane Kiffin, would simply bring in a bunch of trouble makers devoid of character. Butch on the other hand is attempting to instill character in the players who play for him. That’s what I think he meant by the Champions of life comment. While that approach is “old school”, it still is the best approach.
Comments like this from Lyle make him look weak and content with an 8-4 record.
No, but I’m sure he’s content with beating the snot out of Florida though
It is nice you have such loyalty for your Coach, but I wonder if you are not the victim of selective memory. Not saying Butch is the same as Lane, but seems to be there was discussion of less than a team full of boy scouts this summer and fall that the University paid handsomely for it to go away. Butch seemed to take some hits over this as well.
I love my vols, but Butch Jones is dumb- simple as that.
Wow! We could have hired Dennis Franchoine or Mike Shula or “Strip club Diva” Mike Price…Give me Butch Jones, a good man and a good coach.
#HatersGonnaHate
Bama and all the haters prob want Butch there for life tho
“Dumb?” The man is making more per year than you, me, and about 50 of our friends combined. He HAS turned the program around, it is much better than it was when Doofus was fired. No, he/team didn’t win SEC East (and the automatic butt-kicking that came with it this year, thanks for taking that one Gators.) No, they aren’t going for the Sugar either (that loss was really disappointing.) He’ll get one more, maybe 2 years to get things sorted out.
I think butch is a good guy just not the best coach
I tend to agree, good guy, but not EVERY coach is an SEC caliber coach. As my 84 year old dad said (and he’s seen plenty of SEC football in his life) “should have gone for 2” vs TAMU
Butch is a clown. As soon as $#!@ hit the fan this year, you got nothing but excuses. People are piling on about the “Champions of Life” comment because he’s trying to put lipstick on a pig. He blew it big time this year and the clock is now ticking…
It may be ticking, but All-Barn hasn’t held on to a coach for more than 4 yeas since….?
Butch Jones should stay at Tennessee. He’s a 2cnd tier coach who’s not ready for the SEC. UT will always be mediocre as long as “The Excuse Man” is there.
DOBBnailboot, sucker.
Hail Mary yes!! Enjoy your mediocre head coach!