Tag Archives: The Proven Winner Level Two – Major Conference Champion

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 Gary Patterson

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

Gary Patterson’s coaching experience (57 years old)

Patteron has been TCU’s head coach since 2000, has a statue outside the stadium and currently has the Horned Frogs at 5-2. Prior to his time at TCU, he was the defensive coordinator at the school and was New Mexico’s before that. Also was an assistant at Kansas State, Tennessee Tech, UC Davis, Cal Lutheran, Pittsburgh State, Sonoma State, Utah State and Navy prior to that.

GRT taxonomy of college football coaches: The Proven Winner, Level Two – Major Conference Champion; Guru (defense)

Why the Tennessee Vols might want Gary Patterson

He’s one of the best standing coaches in all of college football and has proven his prowess building powerhouses on both sides of the ball and turning them into national contenders. He’s only making $5.1 million, and while that’s a good bit of money, the Vols could sweeten that pot. Patterson would be an instant-impact hire with ties to Texas, and he’d be a perfect fit.

Why the Tennessee Vols might not want Gary Patterson

Tennessee shouldn’t have any. But, much like the Mike Gundy situation in 2012, if Patterson was “interested” would it only be to get a raise? TCU has deep pockets and likely could match a price to keep him. Patterson is 57, so does he really want to start over somewhere else, especially at a place that snubbed him back in 2009 when Mike Hamilton reportedly told Patterson he believed he wasn’t ready for the big stage? Would he publicly turn the Vols down? Based on what happened in 2009, you’d probably want a sure sign of interest before you went that direction.