Former Tennessee DC John Jancek goes on retweeting spree after 'mutual' departure from Vols
In a bit of surprising news, Tennessee coach Butch Jones and former defensive coordinator John Jancek had an after-season meeting that resulted in what was termed as a “mutual” parting of ways by some.
In fact, here’s the wording from Butch Jones on the decision, from the Vols’ official website for athletics:
“John and I had a long discussion this morning and we both came to the conclusion that it was best to part ways,” Jones said. “I want to thank Coach Jancek for his contributions to the University of Tennessee football program the past three years. His hard work and dedication to this program played a major role in our back-to-back bowl wins. These decisions are never easy especially for someone I have worked with at three different schools. We feel strongly about the direction our program is headed and will work diligently to find the best person available to lead our defense.”
But, as is usually the case when these kinds of things were said, the decision was likely not as mutual as these releases would have you believe.
Jancek started his post-announcement Twitter presence with three classy Tweets of his own:
I just want to say thank you to #GBO I loved your passion and I never wanted to let you guys down!! I enjoyed improving the defense! #VFL
— John Jancek (@UTCoachJancek) January 6, 2016
I appreciate all the calls and texts from all the players!! You've got a great #GBO #Orange Swarm defense coming back!! Keep it up!
— John Jancek (@UTCoachJancek) January 6, 2016
Tennessee has a great #Orange Swarm defense coming back next season!! #VolNation dominate! The players are awesome!!
— John Jancek (@UTCoachJancek) January 7, 2016
But judging by the 32 retweets he made during the course of Wednesday afternoon, you may be able to draw your own conclusion on how he really feels about this decision.
Here are some examples of the Tweets that Jancek put on his timeline:
The #Vols allowed 20 ppg this year – 5th in the SEC. The year before Jancek? 35.7 – last in the #SEC.
— Football Time in TN (@FootballTimeMag) January 6, 2016
@UTCoachJancek held the nation's No. 3 third-down defense in 2015.
— Dan Harralson (@danharralson) January 6, 2016
That's twice in 12 months Butch jettisoned a coordinator who helped him get this job – a few weeks before NSD. https://t.co/iPPE1yxfsD
— Football Time in TN (@FootballTimeMag) January 6, 2016
Defense improved from 35.7 ppg before Jancek to 29 in 2013. 24 in 2014. And 20 this season. Pleasure to cover, wish him nothing but the best
— Football Time in TN (@FootballTimeMag) January 6, 2016
Good reading of the tea leaves here. https://t.co/wEihf7iMNO
— Football Time in TN (@FootballTimeMag) January 6, 2016
This is also true. https://t.co/W8ZpC4a5FI
— Football Time in TN (@FootballTimeMag) January 6, 2016
If the Vols didn't think they were capable of winning a Natty with @UTCoachJancek why was he on staff to begin with???
— Special K (@KBish15) January 6, 2016
There’s little doubt that Butch Jones decided he was moving on from Jancek, who had been with the Vols for three years. That leaves one question to be answered– Why?
That’s something we may never know publicly, but Jancek did his best to use the power of Twitter to let fans know that it was not his choice.
Feeling pressure? Those look like good improvement year over year. Maybe he has a home run hire that can bring an unexpected top recruit and still hold on to the recruits Jancek was on?
buddha22,
Good observation. Yeah there is definitely some pressure being thrown his way. I believe our D took a step back this year. Still very productive, but gave up a lot of plays. I also think recruiting has a lot to do with it.
No doubt the pressure is on for next year. I agree that it’s likely he has someone in mind; the decision a few weeks before NSD cost us a top JUCO commitment. I hope Jones knows what he’s doing.
Butch is going pretty hard after Shoop at Penn State. But there are reports that Chizik really wants the job. Either would be an upgrade.
Chizik? As in Gene Chizik? I haven’t heard that one…
I think time will tell, but this is a little reckless in my opinion. I don’t think you can upgrade THAT much in such a short period of time. The new guy has to have a similar system of defense in my opinion or this could be a disaster for Tennessee.
Even thought Jancek had a great third down defense, let’s not forget that his fourth down defense was ranked 124th. That’s what lost us games…
Exactly!
That might have contributed but I am sure that Tennessee offense going 3 and out in the 2nd halfs of thos games played a big role as well. Not so fast on the blame game. Deboard has a big piece of that too.
Being that we were just in Tampa last week, could it be a coincidence that Tampa Bay let Lovie Smith go yesterday and we let Jancek go on the same day as well?
I doubt an NFL head coach would drop back down to a defensive coordinator. I mean of course it’s happened before. But most switch just to another head coaching job. Love isn’t a bad coach either. Just always had bad teams at Tampa.
There is no way Lovie is coming to Tennessee. This decision has to be Butch saying “I have someone else in mind.” It’s got nothing to do with the Buc’s decision.
I’ll chalk that up to wishful thinking. It’d be one hell of a move if it were to happen.
Couldn’t afford Lovie.
Jancek was a ‘good’ D-Coord for Tennessee, and had the defense trending up (statistically) for each of his three years.
If Butch doesn’t have a ‘great’ D-Coord lined up, then I really don’t understand this decision.
There was no reason to let him go if he doesn’t have someone else lined up.. He’s not one that you just let go and then start looking for a replacement. He has to have someone all but locked up.
Word on the street, is that there was some off field issues that CBJ had a problem with. Had to do with chasing the young girls and them being on campus with Jancek around the recruits and recruits family. Take it FWIW.
But I really don’t see CBJ setting us back for next year with the firing Jancek, especially with all the expectations for 2016.
Go back to VolNation
Maybe Gruden enjoyed being on the sideline with the vols enough to be our new dc. Wishful thinking probably but it sure would be nice.
OMG! No just NO! It was a matter of time before Gruden’s name came into the mix. LOL!
Vol Nation, unfortunate for MIZ but a good thing for you. If Butch can get Gene Chizik it will pay almost immediate dividends. Chizik is Muschamp like, great DC but below average HC. The east needs to take back the SEC, though I will always root for the SEC in the NCG I’m tired of the west representing.
Yeah, I’m thinking another 2-3 yrs it will be TN’s turn to put Muschamp on the sidelines for a bit. As a DC is fine…Florida will likely still be paying him anyways.
Thank you Missouri glad you are in the SEC East with us
Chizik? Seriously? Heck no. I hope not. Baylor is still running all over his defense.
Pressure is all on the offense next year. With all the talent Tennessee has and lack of use in the 2015 season cost Tennessee wins. Dobbs and Hurd are beast that will turn a bad play into a great run and TD. Dobbs can make a bad play turn into a 40 yard TD run where most QBs are sacked. Play calling has to improve, the use of weapons at reciever has to improve, and find a coach who knows to go for the win instead of finding a way to lose.
Good 3rd down defense, but was was our 4th down defense rated? Spying on 4th and 14 against Will Grier with the game on the line may have been the best example of why this is happening.
News out of Knoxville has Gruden, Peyton Manning’s forehead, and Josh Dobbs’ eyebrows interviewing for the DC job.
Gruden’s plane was seen on the Tarmac in Kville. He had a cousin twice removed and his wife was a cheerleader there. It’s a done deal !!
Lol
He was a grad assistant there and met his wife (who was a cheerleader) there. He’s publicly (since the talent is a lot better) said UT is his dream job. Why not take the DC position, help win or compete for a natty then when CBJ follows the money he can take over the job with talent he’s recruited. Plus it would be a great way for him to learn the recruiting process and how to beat out Saban…just a thought…
You’re delusional. You know that right?
G R U D E N is Never going to coach at the college level, period
The only reason he was spotted with Haslam prior to the Lyle Jones hiring, is because Haslam owns an NFL team. If Gruden is to leave his dream job it would be to head coach an NFL team. That window closes a little each year. Why would he come back to a program that is known for firing the winningest coach because of a bad season and minor drop in recruiting. I guarantee after next year, the so called “season of TN” the fans will be looking to get rid of Lyle too, and the Gruden talk will be on full display.
Tenn can’t pay Gruene what ESPN is paying him, no where close!!!
All the Gruden talk was a JOKE people !!!!! Stop!!!!