Jimmy’s blog: VFL Davis has harsh words for Jones in resignation email

Jimmy’s blog: VFL Davis has harsh words for Jones in resignation email

Posted on November 3, 2017

Nov. 3

By Jimmy Hyams

Former Vol Antone Davis said he submitted his letter of resignation Oct. 31 as VFL coordinator after six years because he endured “constant intimidation, bullying and mental abuse’’ from Tennessee coach Butch Jones.

Davis made those comments in an Oct. 31 email to UT athletic director John Currie, obtained by Sports Radio WNML.

Davis told Currie that “I had always dreamed of coming back and being able to contribute to the continued success of the athletic program.’’

Davis said that working under Jones “has been one of the worst work experiences I have ever had.’’

Asked for comment, Jones issued this statement through football sports information director Zach Stipe: “I wish Antone Davis well and thank him for his work as Tennessee’s Vol For Life Coordinator.’’

Davis also said he had not received a merit raise despite having “outstanding performance reviews,’’ although he had been given UT-wide 1.5 to 3 percent raises. His salary now is about $69,000.

However, one source said Jones went to his administration a while back and, unbeknownst to Davis, asked for a raise for Davis. The request was denied.

Davis closed with this in his email: “I wish you and the men of the University of Tennessee football team nothing but success as you forge ahead in trying to drive the program toward its next national championship.’’

In another email Davis sent to Currie, Davis said he mentioned concerns to Currie as far back as Sept. 22 without Currie taking any action.

“I want you to know that I am not leaving Tennessee because I want to,’’ Davis wrote in the email. “I am leaving because I must. My biggest regret and fear is that I am leaving behind student-athletes and co-workers that may be subjected to the same treatment I have received.’’

Davis also wrote: “In closing, I deeply regret that things have been allowed to transpire, causing a high level of anxiety and other health issues thus creating my need to resign.’’

In an Oct. 31 email to Davis, Currie said: `While I am very sorry that you are leaving us, I am glad that you have been able to find a position you are excited about … ‘’

Currie said he had planned on expanding Davis’ role and “further synergizing your efforts to help our student-athletes with the Thornton Center and the upcoming VFLconnect program.’’

Currie added: “Antone, I appreciate your efforts on behalf of the athletics program and Volunteer student-athletes and look forward to staying in touch.’’

Davis, a former UT All-American offensive lineman, was the No. 8 overall pick in the 1991 NFL draft. He played seven seasons in the NFL.

He was runner-up in 2011 on “The Biggest Loser’’ reality TV show in which he lost 202 pounds.

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Vols Cruise to 86-44 Exhibition Win over Carson-Newman

Vols Cruise to 86-44 Exhibition Win over Carson-Newman

Posted on November 2, 2017
UT forward Grant Williams / Credit: UT Athletics

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Grant Williams logged a double-double off the bench, and Tennessee cruised to an 86-44 win over Carson-Newman at Thompson-Boling Arena Thursday night in the team’s first exhibition game of the preseason.

Williams finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds, both of which were game-highs. Admiral Schofield enjoyed a strong performance as well, dropping 17 points to go along with five boards. Also finishing in double figures was sophomore Jordan Bowden, who went 3-of-6 from beyond the arc. Jordan Bone dished out a game-high eight assists while committing just one turnover.

Tennessee’s defense helped create scoring opportunities for the Vols, who outscored Carson-Newman 26-2 in points-off-turnovers on the evening. Overall, the Eagles turned the ball over 24 times compared to UT’s 10.

The Vols jumped out to a quick start in the first half, opening with a 17-3 run in the first five minutes that was sparked by a pair of threes from both Bone and Lamonte Turner.

Tennessee was fueled by strong defensive play in the first half, forcing 12 turnovers and holding the Eagles to a five-minute scoring drought en route to a 45-25 halftime advantage.

That momentum carried over into the second half, as the Vols used a 15-0 run to go up 62-27 early in the stanza. Tennessee’s lead would grow to as many as 46 as 10 of the 14 Vols who saw playing time landed in the scoring column.

DEFENSIVE INTENSITY: Tennessee’s 44 points allowed were the fewest allowed by the Vols in any game (exhibition, regular season or postseason) since March 14, 2014, when they also allowed 44 to South Carolina in the SEC Tournament.

LONG DISTANCE SUCCESS: Tennessee’s 12 made threes were the most made in a game since the Vols had 16 made 3-pointers on Dec. 6, 2016, against Presbyterian, and second-most of the Rick Barnes era. The Vols’ 34 attempts were the most of the Barnes era.

SCHOFIELD SCORING: Junior forward Admiral Schofield‘s 17 points against Carson-Newman well surpassed his 2016-17 season average of 8.2 points per game and were his most in a single game since he scored 18 at Auburn on Jan. 31.

UP NEXT: The Vols will travel to face Clemson on Sunday, Nov. 5, at 12:30 p.m. ETin their second and final exhibition game of the season. The game will not be televised. Tennessee opens the regular season next Friday, Nov. 10 at home against Presbyterian, a game which will stream online through SEC Network+ (WatchESPN).

-UT Athletics

 

Daniel Named Burlsworth Trophy Candidate

Daniel Named Burlsworth Trophy Candidate

Posted on November 2, 2017
Vols P Trevor Daniel / Credit: UT Athletics

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Tennessee punter Trevor Daniel has been named one of 63 national candidates for the 2017 Burlsworth Trophy, as announced this week by the Burlsworth Trophy in conjunction with the Springdale (Ark.) Rotary Club.

Now in its eighth year, the Burlsworth Trophy recognizes the most outstanding Division I (FBS) football player who began his collegiate career as a walk-on and has since demonstrated an exceptional on-field performance.

The award is named in honor of Brandon Burlsworth, a former University of Arkansas offensive lineman who began his career as a walk-on with the Razorbacks. Burlsworth went on to become a 1998 All-American and was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1999. Tragically, he was killed in a car accident 11 days after the National Football League Draft. His life story was released in a major motion picture, “Greater,” last year.

Through eight games this season, Daniel has 47 punts for 2,209 yards and a 47.0-yard average, which ranks second in the SEC and fourth in the nation. Daniel’s 19 punts inside opponents’ 20-yard line and 21 punts of 50 or more yards lead the SEC. His 19 punts inside the 20 also rank fourth among Power Five schools.

Daniel’s 47.0-yard season average is on track to break Tennessee’s all-time record and his 45.6 career punting average ranks second among active NCAA punters, regardless of division, and is tops in UT history. Daniel’s 72-yard punt in the fourth quarter versus South Carolina this season also marked the longest punt in a regular-season game by a Vol since VFL Joey Chapman booted a 74-yard punt against Pacific in 1990.

In 2016, Daniel cemented himself as one of Tennessee’s all-time greatest punters. He ranked third in the SEC and 11th nationally with a 44.6 punting average and boomed 21 punts of at least 50 yards, including a conference-long 70-yarder against South Carolina. Daniel also pinned the opposition inside the 20-yard line 28 times.

To start the 2015 season, Daniel entered preseason camp in a three-way battle with a fifth-year senior and a highly touted freshman for the first-team punter spot but Daniel soon established himself at the Vol’s starting punter through his consistency and work ethic. In 13 games, Daniel punted 60 times for a 45.7 average which ranks second in UT history. The average ranked eighth in the NCAA and second in the SEC. Daniel had 25 punts downed inside the 20 and a long punt of 61 yards in his debut against Bowling Green in Tennessee’s season-opening game. In addition to earning a spot on the Ray Guy Award Watch List and being a Burlsworth Trophy candidate, Daniel was named to the 2015-16 Pro Football Focus Team of Bowl Season.

The Dickson, Tennessee native joined the Vols as a walk-on in 2013 and earned the second-team punter position as a redshirt freshman in 2014. Daniel was awarded a scholarship prior to the 2015 season.

The Brandon Burlsworth Foundation and the Springdale Rotary Club will host an awards ceremony on Dec. 4 in Springdale, Arkansas to honor the three finalists and to announce the 2017 winner.

-UT Athletics

 

Radio Romance Talks About Winning Nash Next 2017, Honing Their Sound on Lower Broadway, Musical Inspirations & More

Radio Romance Talks About Winning Nash Next 2017, Honing Their Sound on Lower Broadway, Musical Inspirations & More

Posted on November 2, 2017

Jim Casey talks with Radio Romance about:

  • winning Nash Next 2017
  • celebrating their win with family and friends
  • forming the band
  • naming the band after an Eddie Rabbitt album
  • being inspired by ’90s country and rock
  • writing songs
  • earning their stripes by playing Nashville’s Lower Broadway
  • managing their overly excited manager

Show Participants

  • Radio Romance: Sam Hayes (lead singer), Josh Gramling (lead guitar), Moises Padilla (drums), Adam Smithwick (bass)
  • Jim Casey, NCD editor in chief

Jimmy’s blog: Would Jon Gruden make a good college coach?

Jimmy’s blog: Would Jon Gruden make a good college coach?

Posted on November 2, 2017

By Jimmy Hyams

While Butch Jones remains Tennessee’s coach, many in the Vol Nation have moved on.

They even have a target: Jon Gruden.

We’ve seen this before. Tennessee fans clamored for Gruden in 2012, before Jones was hired.

Gruden was the sexy name then. He’s the sexy name now. He will continue to be a sexy name when it comes to coaching vacancies.

Five years ago, a member of the UT Board of Trustees told me Tennessee offered Gruden $5 million a year for six years – a $30 million guarantee. So much for the UT fans that think the administration goes on the cheap with very football hire – a bogus premise.

Gruden said no then for the same reasons he would say no now, if approached: The 20-hour rule, NCAA recruiting restrictions, NCAA rules in general, booster involvement, and the headaches that come with the job.

College coaches work 100 hours a week.

How much does Gruden have work during the fall: 20 hours? 30? He might watch film incessantly, but his hours obligation to ESPN doesn’t compare to those of a coach.

Remember this: Gruden is undefeated since he was fired by Tampa Bay in 2009.

Remember this: Gruden makes $6.5 million a year for ESPN and a few million more for commercial endorsements.

Remember this: Gruden hasn’t coached in college since 1989 when he was an assistant for Walt Harris at Pacific. The extent of his college coaching (counting his graduate assistant stint at Tennessee): four years.

And while I like Gruden personally and professionally, there is no guarantee he would be a winner in college.

His NFL resume is good but not great. He won a Super Bowl with the Bucs in 2002, but his overall record as a head coach: 100-85.

Dan Wolken, columnist for USA Today, isn’t sold on Gruden as a college coach, either.

“Would he even be a good college coach?’’ Wolken said when speaking earlier this week at the Knoxville Quarterback Club. “I don’t know.

“The thing about college football: It’s a developmental game. The NFL is scheme, chess pieces, Xs and Os. You move the pieces around. You try to outcoach people. Try to outscheme people.

“Obviously, it’s a players’ game. But it’s the best of the best.

“In college, you’ve got a guy from 18 years old to 21. A huge chunk of their football and personal development goes into that. That’s why college coaching is different.

“Would Gruden be good at that? I don’t know.’’

My thought: No. Gruden doesn’t have the patience for developing players. He wants ready-made stars, ready-made quarterbacks, ready-made receivers, etc.

But what if you hired Gruden?

“He’d be a great face of the program,’’ Wolken said. “He’d be great talking to the media. He’d bring all kinds of attention. But it’s a unique challenge. I’ve just never heard any indication that he really would do it.’’

So why doesn’t Gruden put to rest rumors he might be UT’s coach?

“I think Jon Gruden enjoys people talking about Jon Gruden,’’ Wolken said. “I think that is fairly well established over the years.

“Everyone’s got an ego in this business. Everyone likes it when they’re wanted. Everyone likes being the apply of somebody’s eye. Everybody likes to be a little bit unattainable or at least give that vibe.’’

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