Tag Archives: On Hiatus

Tennessee Vols coaching candidate Les Miles

As Tennessee embarks on its fourth coaching search in ten years, here’s a quick look at Vols coaching candidate Les Miles.

Les Miles coaching experience (63 years old)

After a strong tenure as Oklahoma State’s head coach, Miles took over at LSU for Nick Saban and had a great run at LSU before falling out of favor. He won a national championship and compiled a 141-55 record. The Tigers also played for another national championship. Miles was an assistant for Oklahoma State, Michigan, the Dallas Cowboys and Colorado. He served a term as the Cowboys offensive coordinator.

GRT taxonomy of college football coaches: The Proven Winner, Level One – National Champion (but with a recency problem); On Hiatus

Why the Tennessee Vols might want Les Miles

Miles can coach, he knows the SEC and he can recruit his hat off. He’s one of the most beloved characters in the SEC, and if he could hire a dynamic offensive mind to help take his scheme to the next level — something that was ultimately his downfall in Baton Rouge — he could work out. He’s a fit in the studio, and Miles is great on Twitter. He wants to coach again, but will the Vols go in this direction?

Why the Tennessee Vols might not want Les Miles

The fears that his offensive scheme is antiquated were real in his latter years in Baton Rouge, but Miles is a legit great coach. He’s a gambler, and when that backfires, fans turn on him. He’s also the kind of guy who can win a press conference or wear on you with his befuddling comments. Would that be something UT wants to endure after having the King of Coachspeak and Cliches lead your team? It may wear thin.

Tennessee Vols coaching candidate Chip Kelly

As Tennessee embarks on its fourth coaching search in ten years, here’s a quick look at Vols coaching candidate Chip Kelly.

Chip Kelly coaching experience (53years old)

He built Oregon into a powerhouse as a head coach from 2009-2012 before moving on to be the head coach for the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers. Prior to becoming Oregon’s head coach, he was offensive coordinator for the Ducks. Before that, he was a prolific coordinator at New Hampshire. He’s also been an assistant at Johns Hopkins, Columbia and Nevada.

GRT taxonomy of college football coaches: The Proven Winner, Level Two – Major Conference Champion; Guru (offense); Pro; On Hiatus.

Why the Tennessee Vols might want Chip Kelly

He has coached some loaded teams, recruited incredible players and developed quarterbacks like Marcus Mariota. He’s produced some of the most prolific offenses in college football history and left what looked like it could become a dynasty in Eugene before failing in the NFL. He has experience on all levels and isn’t currently coaching.

Why the Tennessee Vols might not want Chip Kelly

Tennessee probably wouldn’t have that many reservations, but how will his brash attitude fly in Knoxville? That’s really the only worry. But Kelly has never recruited in the SEC. He’s a West Coast and Northeast guy. It seems like he’d be an ideal pick for UCLA if he wanted to come back to college ball. But does he want to get another shot at the NFL? How long would he be in Knoxville if you got him to come? How much would he cost? Yes, there’s huge upside, but there are also questions.

Tennessee Vols coaching candidate Jon Gruden

As Tennessee embarks on its fourth coaching search in ten years, here’s a quick look at Vols coaching candidate Jon Gruden, the white whale on Rocky Top.

Jon Gruden’s coaching experience (54 years old)

Vols graduate assistant, 1986-87. College assistant at Southeast Missouri State and Pacific 1988-89. NFL assistant 1990-97, including offensive coordinator at Philadelphia. NFL head coach 1998-2008 at Oakland and Tampa Bay.

GRT college football coach taxonomy: Pro, On Hiatus.

Why the Tennessee Vols might want Jon Gruden

Gruden is the Holy Gru-l of Tennessee coaching searches. His name has come up in each of the past two searches that yielded Derek Dooley and Butch Jones. He’s basically the guy who could completely unify the fan base. He is a former graduate assistant at UT under Johnny Majors, his wife is a former Tennessee cheerleader, his son is a UT student, he owns land in Jefferson County. HIS WIFE WANTS TO BE CLOSE TO FAMILY! HE LOVES THE VOLS! [By now, you’ve heard it all]. He’d give Tennessee that instant-credibility hire that could make the Vols a national story again. In a good way.

Why the Tennessee Vols might not want Jon Gruden

Of course, UT would love to have the Super Bowl winning head coach and current Monday Night Football analyst, but how serious is he about coaching? He makes a ton of money as one of ESPN’s leading analysts, and he has a cushy, stress-free job. He doesn’t know anything about coaching in college, recruiting, or compliance, so he’d have to beef up his support staff in those areas. Plus, he really loves Tennessee. Would he want to take the chance of the highs and lows of rebuilding UT to a powerhouse? That’s a major question.