KNOXVILLE – Butch Jones may not have to go far to find Tennessee’s next offensive coordinator, and it could provide him more flexibility as he looks to upgrade the coaching staff entering his fifth season with the Volunteers.
During a conference call on Tuesday, Jones indicated he was speaking with coaching candidates in both the college and NFL ranks, and he also didn’t rule out promoting one of his current assistant coaches.
Tight ends coach Larry Scott and wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni are the two possibilities should Jones elect to go that route, which could allow him to focus on a quarterbacks coach for the vacancy on his staff.
“We have some very talented coaches on our staff already, and obviously I will speak with them and make a decision based on is there somebody that I feel comfortable doing that,” Jones said. “I see these coaches every day. I’m in every single meeting with them. I’m on the headphones with them on game day. I’m in the game-planning meetings.
“I know their strengths and I know everyone’s contributions and how valuable they are to our football program. I witness that on a day-to-day basis.”