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Is it finally time for Tennessee football to move on from Butch Jones?

By Justin Dottavio

GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Head Coach Butch Jones of the Tennessee Volunteers is seen on the sidelines during the second half of their game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images)
GAINESVILLE, FL - SEPTEMBER 16: Head Coach Butch Jones of the Tennessee Volunteers is seen on the sidelines during the second half of their game against the Florida Gators at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium on September 16, 2017 in Gainesville, Florida. (Photo by Scott Halleran/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images) /

2.College programs must strike while the iron is hot

College football programs have to strike while the iron is hot. They can’t wait to fire their coach and start the search after other teams have begun their search. Other programs that have cut bait have their future head coaches lined up and their interviews completed before a late program has even announced their opening.

I can see Butch Jones being fired early. That would enable the Vols to strike quickly and start. They have Larry Scott on the staff as the offensive coordinator and Scott is known for leading Miami to a 4-2 record as their interim head coach in 2015. His tenure was highlighted by that wild finish against Duke in 2015.

Scott was then let go by Mark Richt and fell into the OC position in Knoxville. Some programs don’t fire their coach mid-season because their coaching staff doesn’t have a viable interim head coach. That’s not the case with Tennessee. Scott has already proven he can keep the ball rolling.

The Vols also need to jump out early because of the programs that may be looking for a coach along with them. Notre Dame has been unhappy with Brian Kelly. Texas A&M isn’t sold on Kevin Sumlin. UCLA has struggled lately with Jim Mora Jr,. Then there are jobs like Arkansas, Mississippi State, Florida, Nebraska, Louisville and Ole Miss that might come open because of a variety of reasons.

Tennessee is currently compensating Jones as the 18th highest paid FBS football coach. That would be a pay raise for some notable names such as Virginia Tech’s Justin Fuente, Colorado’s Mike MacIntyre, as well as Mike Gundy, Kirby Smart and Bobby Petrino.

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