4. Offensive line coach
With four starters and a ton of experience returning in 2016, the O-line was expected to make a big jump forward. It didn’t happen. The Vols gave up more sacks in 2016 and rushing numbers went down overall. Dobbs’ interception numbers also went up, which has to be partially credited to the amount of pressure he got.
Coach Don Mahoney made a nice recovery in 2015 after a disastrous 2014 on the O-line. And he’ll have most of his starters back in 2017. But will the regression shown in 2016 lead Jones to make a change? He has some options here. DeBord has experience working with the O-line, so perhaps Jones shifts some pieces around to put him in charge instead. He’s been fiercely loyal to Mahoney in the past, and perhaps he’ll remain that way, but he’ll need to take a look at this spot after 2016.
