What Butch Jones said about the crowd booing at halftime
To say Tennessee’s first-half effort against Florida on Saturday was abysmal would be an understatement.
Fortunately for coach Butch Jones, the Vols were a different team in the second half, coming from behind to defeat the Gators 38-28 and snap Florida’s 11-game winning streak in the series.
Speaking at his Monday press conference, Jones said he could hear the boos as the Vols headed into the locker room at halftime:
Butch's full some-wanted-me-gone-at-halftime quote for contextual purposes. pic.twitter.com/1hXFKgHDQp
— Patrick Brown (@patrickbrownTFP) September 26, 2016
Butch Jones on Vols fans vs Florida: "I know there were a lot of people that didn't want me here at halftime. I get that part of the job."
— Rhiannon Potkey (@TennesseeBeat) September 26, 2016
There certainly were plenty of Tennessee fans hoping Jones would be fired before the second half, but those critics have quieted down after the comeback win.
The Vols have another tough game this Saturday when they travel to Athens to take on the Georgia Bulldogs in a game that could decide the SEC East title.
I don’t even think they were booing Butch or the players per se. I understand a lot of fans, myself included, were disappointed with the coaching and the play during the first half. I think mostly they were booing the decision not to even attempt to drive down the field with 44 seconds and two timeouts to get some momentum going into the second half. I think they were booing that decision specifically, not so much a call to have him fired. But there are plenty of crazy Vols fans out there that want a rash decision to fire him, so maybe.
Yup. Totally agree. And all those “Tennessee Fans” who are really just trolls, I’m looking at you B-Chip and Seatonda, will have to come up with another pile of BS to spew, while never acknowledging how wrong they were in the first place.
True fans don’t boo their players or coaches. Trust your players, trust your coaches, trust your team and enjoy the game. That’s our role as fans. Not act like “backseat coaches” saying what should/could have been done etc….
totally agree. no excuse for booing. cheer your team on, don’t give up and turn on them half way thru the game.
EXACTLY. I was there too and we were definitely upset that they didn’t try to score before the half, but that was the ONLY reason we were booing. And that’s what everyone in our section was saying, too.
They weren’t booing because we were losing. They were booing because he chose to take a knee to end the half instead of running another play. We had the ball and a few seconds left on the clock, but it was probably a smart move since desperation plays are more likely to result in a turnover. If he had thrown it deep and got a pick 6 right before the half, people would be saying he should have taken a knee.
Yup, it’s funny how plays with good outcomes never fall under scrutiny even though they might not have been the way it was dialed up. Yes, while we could have perhaps driven down in 44 seconds to get a field goal at best, the knee was not a terrible call. Considering Florida had all the momentum and confidence at this point and our offense had yet to establish theirs. It’s hard to believe we’d be able to do it in 44 seconds. Take the knee and regather composure in the locker room for the 2nd half.
In my opinion, which I dare say is the right opinion, amateur athletes should never be booed. Pro football players are different. They are well paid to perform. Some of these kids are just out of high school. Plus, what message does that send to those Tennessee is recruiting? My message to those who booed, “Next time and the time after that and so on, stay at home. We don’t need any fair weather fans who don’t understand loyalty.”
Clearly our players have a greater control over their emotions than some of our fanbase.
fans that boo are the same fans that act like they are owed something
If it were up to me, anyone booing would be ejected from the stadium. When things arn’t going a team’s way what they need to hear, if they need to hear anything at all, is cheering to show they still have the support of their fans. Booing accomplishes virtually nothing aside from potentially hindering a player’s confidence and causing doubt which could continue the trend of poor execution. I’m glad this team has proven themselves to be immune to all the Vols who have been critical of this team since game 1.
I was at the game, that’s exactly what the fans were mad about. We were down and gained 9 yard and wanted to at least try to get another field goal before half instead of conceading the half. It felt as if the team was folding up with 46 seconds and two timeouts at home with 102,455 behind them. I didn’t agree either. The boos I didn’t mind, but one fan actually threw a coke cup at the players on the sideline. That pizzed me off. If I could of found that fan I woulda knocked his head off.
I was at the game. Yea, I wasn’t happy about being down 21-3 at the half but I wasn’t booing my team either. Not going to say it was the best call taking the knee but the Gators did have the momentum. I do think that being booed by the home crowd lot a fire under a lot of the Tennessee players. Being a former player I know it would have me. In college sports players don’t want to disappoint their
They don’t want to disappoint their fans.
This one of many instances of the low class UT fan base
Worst fan base in the SEC
Didn’t you guys have like 10 people show up to the Georgia Tech game 2 weeks ago?
Oops, I often get Kentucky and Vandy mixed up because you know, bottom of the barrel…etc. Sorry =|
Well your coach is going to get fired for getting a 19yr old pregnant.
Vicious rumor probably planted by a Vol Fan
More like…Louisville.
Bold statement there. At least Tennessee has enough fans for the cheering/booing to be noticeable.
Seven T, all that salt in your diet will lead to high sodium levels and heart problems. I’m telling you now before it’s too late and the saltlife kills ya.
Florida just scored again.
Well if that ain’t the pot calling the kettle black.
I cheered when he went for it on 4th down, and I was upset when he gave up with 45 seconds to go in the 1st half…
Boos are never aimed at the players, only the coaching staff…
When fans boo, it’s not about or to the players, it’s to the coaches and the decisions they have made!!!
Keep up the great work Butch!!!!!!!
You guys will lose Saturday in Athens book it…. bad as we looked all season Watch What Happens…. that’s just the way the game goes
Nope, i dont see TN leaving GA with tails between their legs. I think it will be a better win than over FL
Nope, im all Butch Jones. Wouldnt replace him. Ive never said anything down on Jones other than he needs to fire Debord. I still stick with that comment. Dobbs called the plays in the 2nd half more than Debord, hence why we came back and won.
Tennessee is the place coaching careers come to die. Even Golden Child Peyton said he’d never be the head coach at Tennessee, because he didn’t want the fan base hating him. In 5 years or less, Jones will be happily coaching in South Bend, and all of this fan base disloyalty will be a distant memory for him. He nailed it on the head: In Tennessee, love is purely conditional.