Mike DeBord’s departure for Indiana leaves Vols looking for offensive coordinator

Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs and offensive coordinator Mike DeBord hug following the Vols' 38-24 victory against Nebraska in Nashville in the final game of Dobbs's career. Tennessee quarterback Josh Dobbs and offensive coordinator Mike DeBord hug following the Vols' 38-24 victory against Nebraska in Nashville in the final game of Dobbs's career.

By Patrick Brown January 4, 2017 6 min read

UPDATE: Indiana has formally announced the hire of Tennessee Offensive Coordinator Mike DeBord.

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COACHING CANDIDATES

Tennessee is in the market for a new offensive coordinator following Mike DeBord’s departure. Whom might the Vols target as his replacement? Here are some potential candidates for head coach Butch Jones.> Mark Helfrich: The former Oregon coach, fired last month after the Ducks went 4-8 this season, was the name generating the most buzz after his visit to a Tennessee practice in Nashville last week. Helfrich was there to visit with Marcus Mariota, his former protege at Oregon, but his stop to see the Vols might have been more than a coincidence. Helfrich was 13-12 in his final two seasons, but the Ducks ranked fifth and 15th nationally in total offense those two years.> Larry Scott: Tennessee’s tight ends coach has been valuable as a recruiter in his native Florida since joining the Vols a year ago following an interim stint at Miami, but he made some key contributions to the offense schematically with the implementation of more two-tight-end sets late in the season. Scott never has been a play-caller at the college level, though.> Zach Azzanni: If Jones opts for familiarity, Azzanni would have a leg up. Tennessee’s receivers coach and passing game coordinator was with Jones during the entirety of his stints at Central Michigan and Tennessee. He was Florida’s passing game coordinator under Urban Meyer in 2010 and was Western Kentucky’s offensive coordinator in 2011> Bo Hardegree: It’s not the former Tennessee quarterback many might wish one day comes and coaches the Vols — sorry, Peyton — but Hardegree just wrapped his first season as the quarterbacks coach for the Miami Dolphins. Hardegree was a quality control coach with Dolphins coach Adam Gase with Denver and Chicago following stints with David Cutcliffe at Duke and in the SEC.> Mike Yurcich: Sticking with the theme of Mikes as offensive coordinator, Oklahoma State finished 22nd and 14th nationally in total offense the past two seasons under Yurcich, who had never coached at the Division I level when the Cowboys hired him prior to the 2013 season.

Tennessee offensive coordinator Mike DeBord

KNOXVILLE – Butch Jones and Tennessee are in the market for a new coordinator for the third offseason in a row.

This time the Volunteers are looking for a replacement for offensive coordinator Mike DeBord, who is leaving Tennessee for the same position at Indiana after many expected his next step to be into retirement.