Tennessee coach Butch Jones has preached a “family mentality” to his team since his arrival in December 2012. As the Vols prepare for Saturday’s game at Vanderbilt, the team will celebrate Thanksgiving as a football family and share what they’re most thankful for.

“We talk about being a football family and that’s all-encompassing,” Jones said after the Vols’ practice on Wednesday. “The core value of our football program is family. So, to be able to spend Thanksgiving Day with them, there’s so much to be thankful for and grateful for.”

Defensive coordinator John Jancek shared Jones’ sentiments on the importance of the team bonding as a family.

“Family is the foundation of every great organization,” Jancek said. “Not only your personal family but also your family of brothers that are here, your coaches and your teammates. These kids are away from home and they made the commitment to come to the University of Tennessee. As coaches, we want to make sure that they have a sense of Thanksgiving.”

The Tennessee coaches have welcomed players into their homes for festive occasions. Quarterback Joshua Dobbs, a native of Alpharetta, Ga., is appreciative of his coaches hosting the team.

“They invite us over, especially on Thanksgiving because a lot of us can’t go home with a game on Saturday,” Dobbs said. “They invite us over to their houses and we’re always welcome to come over, be with their family and hang out a little bit. They do a good job of bringing us together and making a real family out of the team.”