Bob Shoop
Current Role: Defensive coordinator at Penn State
The connection: Shoop coached in the state of Tennessee at Vanderbilt from 2011-13 and has been a reported candidate in DC searches at Auburn and LSU recently. He was in Knoxville on Friday and Fox’s Bruce Feldman reports that he could be the guy if all the financials can be worked out. It’s safe to call him the early favorite as of Friday evening.
Pros: Shoop, who has somewhat of a mad scientist reputation, has a growing reputation as one of the best defensive coordinators in the nation. He was a big part of the success that James Franklin had at Vanderbilt that eventually led both Shoop and Franklin to Penn State in 2014. PSU had the top defense in the Big 10 in 2014 and the fifth best this season, so his success at Vanderbilt looks like no fluke. He knows how to coach in the SEC, has consistently produced results and could be a great fit if Jones could talk him into it. He was named the 247Sports Defensive Coordinator of the year by 247Sports in 2014.
Cons/Questions: Salary is a big one right off the bat. Jancek made $525,000, while Shoop reportedly makes around $1 million at Penn State. That could take a huge jump for Tennessee to even get in a neighborhood where he would consider it.
