Report: Butch Jones turned down chance to coach Tennessee's final two games
On Sunday morning, the inevitable finally happened and Tennessee officially fired coach Butch Jones.
It was a decision fans had been waiting on for several weeks, and after a 50-17 loss at Mizzou on Saturday night, Jones was given the boot.
However, according to Tennessee insider Jimmy Hyams, Jones was given the opportunity to coach the Vols’ final two games (against LSU and Vanderbilt), but declined to do so:
Breaking news: Tennessee coach Butch Jones has been fired and has informed his coaches. Jones was given the chance to coach the last 2 games and declined, a source said.
— Jimmy Hyams (@JimmyHyams) November 12, 2017
Based on the way Tennessee fans have (deservedly) booed him and the team this year, it makes sense that he wouldn’t want to face the home crowd at Neyland Stadium again.
Much like Jim McElwain at Florida, it’s time for Jones and the Vols to part ways and not let the goodbye linger.
Brady Hoke, the former Michigan coach and current Tennessee assistant, will serve as the team’s interim coach for the final two games of the year.