Vols’ Butch Jones feisty in meeting with media [video, photos]

By David Cobb September 26, 2017 5 min read

Butch Jones issued a heated response directed at media after question about if an altercation with teammate caused Shy Tuttle’s injury: pic.twitter.com/gbjdK4G3X5
— David Cobb (@DavidWCobb) September 25, 2017

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Vols manage to hold off winless UMass, 17-13

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones talks with quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) as they come off the field after the Vols 17-14 win over UMass. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's head coach Butch Jones talkws with Mike Canales, quarterback coach, as they come off the field. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee head coach talks with Quart'e Sapp (14) at the end of the playing of the

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones talks with UMass head coach Mark Whipple after the game. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's John Kelly (4) lunges forward for extra yards. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Trevor Daniel (93) punts for Tennessee. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee kicker Aaron Medley (25) congratulates holder Parker Henry (31) after a field goal. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Micah Abernathy (22) breaks up a pass intended for Andy Isabella (23). The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Quinten Dormady (12) throws behind the protection of Trey Smith (73) and Coleman Thomas (55). The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Ty Chandler (3) is pulled down by UMass's Bryton Barr (44). The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Vol fans cheer their teams second touchdown. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Trey Smith (73) lifts Tyler Byrd (10) into the air after Byrd scored a touchdown. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Ethan Wolf (82) picks up yardage after a pass reception. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee quarterback Quinten Dormady (12) throws for Tennessee second touchdown. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's John Kelly (4) breaks a run for the Vols first touchdown. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's John Kelly (4) is chased by a pack of Minutemen. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones confers with quarterback Quinten Dormady (12). The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Brandon Johnson (7) is tackled after a long run. The play set up Tennessee's first touchdown. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Even in the first half there were empty seats in Neyland Stadium. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Brandon Johnson (7) breaks lose for a long run after a reception. The play set up Tennessee's first touchdown. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Kyle Phillips (5) pressures a UMass punt. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Tyler Byrd (10) tries to get around UMass's Jackson Porter (28). The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Quart'e Sapp (14) pulls Marquis Young (8) down from behind. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee great Bob Johnson was part of the 1967 Vols honored at the game. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

UMass's Andy Isabella (23) loses the ball as he is tackled by Tennessee's Quart'e Sapp (14) and Justin Martin (8). The plays was ruled a incomplete pass. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Micah Abernathy (22) tackles UMass's Andy Isabella (23). The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

UMass's Marquis Young (8) is brought down by Darrell Taylor (19). The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Quart'e Sapp (14) tackles UMass's Marquis Young (8) for a loss. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's John Kelly (4) is brought down by a Minuteman tackler. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) is brought down by UMass's Chinedu Ogbonna (17) and Steve Casall (34). The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

UMass quarterback Ross Comis (2) is sacked by Jonathan Kongbo (1) and Kendal Vickers (39). The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones shows his displeasure. Behind him is quarterback coach Mike Canales. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee defensive line coach Brady Hoke rallies his defense. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee quarterback Quinten Dormady (12) fumbles after being tackled. UMass recovered the ball. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Elliott Berry (41) knocks the ball loose from a UMass receiver. The play was ruled incomplete pass. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Venzell Boulware (50) prepares to block on the play. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Brett Kendrick (63) prepares to block. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Austin Pope (81) plays end for Tennessee. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Brandon Johnson (7) looks for running room after a pass reception. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee kicker Brent Cimaglia (30) and holder Parker Henry (31) watches as Cimaglia's field goal is no good. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Kyle Phillips (5) pulls down UMass's Marquis Young (8). The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's John Kelly (4) is stopped by two Minutemen tacklers. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Daniel Bituli (35) tries to get the crowd up. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Marcus Tatum (63) saw time at right tackle for Tennessee. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Jeff George (19) is brought down after a pass reception. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tyler Byrd (10) is congratulated by Brett Kendrick (63) and other Vol linemen after Byrd scored a touchdown. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Ty Chandler (3) runs around left end. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee assistant coach Robert Gillespie directs from the sidelines. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee coaches, from left, Robert Gillespie, Mike Canales and Butch Jones signal the offense. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones encourages Quinten Dormady (12) and Josh Smith (25). The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee receivers coach Kevin Beard has to pull defensive line coach Brady Hoke off the field. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

A team manager gives Jonathan Kongbo (1) a drink in the hot conditions. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Colton Jumper (53) takes a drink in the extreme heat. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

Tennessee's Elliott Berry (41) knocks UMass quarterback Andrew Ford's (7) helmet off during a tackle. Ford did not return to the game. The University of Massachusetts Minutemen visited the University of Tennessee Volunteers in NCAA football action in Knoxville on September 23, 2017.

KNOXVILLE – Coach Butch Jones said in the wake of Tennessee’s 17-13 win over Massachusetts on Saturday that the responsibility would be on everyone in the program to bring passion and energy as the Volunteers worked to correct a “flat-out unacceptable” performance.

Jones brought both during his weekly media meeting Monday, as he offered a fiery rebuke of the growing unrest surrounding his program.

“Sometimes the negativity is overwhelming,” he said.

The message came as the Vols (3-1) prepare for a Southeastern Conference showdown with No. 7 Georgia (4-0) on Saturday at Neyland Stadium that is shaping up as a defining moment for Jones’ fifth team at Tennessee.