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Tennessee Football: Will Volunteers make necessary jump in 2019?

By Jake Mitchell

KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Tennessee mascot Davy Crockett carries the flag across the end zone during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images)
KNOXVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 08: Tennessee mascot Davy Crockett carries the flag across the end zone during a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the East Tennessee State University Buccaneers at Neyland Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tennesee won the game 59-3. (Photo by Donald Page/Getty Images) /
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Jeremy Pruitt is entering the second year of his rebuild with Tennessee football. Will the Volunteers make the jump in 2019?

Truthfully, 5-7 is never a good record at Tennessee, but considering the situation, it was as encouraging as could be for Jeremy Pruitt in 2018. 2017 had been a disaster of a season, and after the firing of Butch Jones, the ensuing coaching search made Tennessee the laughing stock of the sport.

For a program with morale at an all-time low, Pruitt has been the right man for the job so far. In his first season, while suffering a losing year, there were a lot of good signs. The two highlights of the season came with a road win at Auburn, and a November victory over a Kentucky team that would win ten games.

The addition of offensive coordinator Jim Chaney will be a huge boost for the Volunteer offense. The former Georgia play-caller helped Jake Fromm reach a level of success that not many expected, especially in relation to the quarterbacks he was competing with.

There will be an infusion of new talent of the defensive side of the ball for defensive coordinator Derrick Ainsley to work with.

For the Volunteers, the goal for the last 20 years has been to get back to the top of the mountain. Rebuild mode is still in effect, but 2019 could become a very productive year in Knoxville.

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