The Biggest Reasons Why the Vols Could Surprise in 2017

Improved Coaching Staff

This offseason saw the biggest overhaul of Tennessee’s coaching staff since Butch Jones took over as head coach. Jones promoted two coaches already on his staff to different positions, but he also went out and hired four new assistant coaches this offseason as well. Not only that, but Jones also hired a new strength and conditioning coach as well.

All in all, the only three coaches at the same position as they were last season are the Vols’ running backs coach, their linebackers coach, and their defensive coordinator. Everyone else is at their first year at their respective position while at Tennessee.

Some of the new hires at Tennessee have very strong track records at their previous stops. Brady Hoke has proven in the past he knows how to coach and recruit the defensive line, Charlton Warren has had success as a defensive backs coach in the past, and Kevin Beard has an impressive upward trajectory.

So far this fall, Tennessee’s new coaches have looked the part, and players have been raving about the new additions, especially new strength and conditioning coach Rock Gullickson. If Tennessee’s new coaching staff meshes well together and performs better than Jones’ initial coaching staff did and last year’s staff did, the results on the field should show that improvement.