It seems like only a matter of time before the Tennessee Volunteers will move in a different direction when it comes to their head coach. The Vols haven’t won a game this season versus SEC competition so it wouldn’t be a surprise if Tennessee decided to pull the plug on Butch Jones at any moment.
He’ll have a chance to stop the bleeding on Saturday as the Vols head to Kentucky. They have lost three straight – two of which were in very ugly fashion. If they can at least get a win, it would bring them to 4-4 and bring the bowl season back into the conversation. Without that, Jones’ days are all but numbered at Knoxville, Tennessee.
There are a number of capable and qualified college coaches that could be in line to take over for the Vols once they eventually decide to move on. Here is a look at four potential replacements for Jones as the head coach at Tennessee.
Greg Schiano, Ohio State Defensive Coordinator
One of the top coordinators in college football, Schiano could be the perfect fit for the head coach position in Tennessee. Schiano has proven that he can turn a football program around dating back to his time with Rutgers, who he helped go 68-67 and make six bowl games during his time there from 2001 through 2011. Schiano’s defense ranks 10th in the entire country with an average of just 15.4 points allowed per game. It’s only a matter of time before he gets another chance to be a head coach. The Vols could be the perfect fit.
Matt Campbell, Iowa State Head Coach
Iowa State isn’t a football giant but Campbell has kept them competitive in the Big Ten. The Cyclones went 3-9 in Campbell’s first year as head coach. They are 5-2 this season and they are very close to bowl eligibility. Iowa State already has a statement win over an Oklahoma team that was ranked third in the nation at the time. If Campbell could lead the Cyclones to a big win in Norman then imagine what he could do with a lot more resources at his disposal as the head coach at Tennessee.
Scott Frost, UCF Head Coach
Frost has done an excellent job for a Central Florida program that is 6-0 in The American and ranked in the top-25 heading in to Week 9. He took over at UCF in 2016 and has quickly turned the program in to a legitimate contender. Frost has a reputation as a quality recruiter and he would have plenty of resources at his disposal if he made the move to Tennessee. The thought process is that he would eventually want to take his shot with a bigger program. The Vols could be the perfect fit for Frost should he decide that he wants the challenge.
Dave Aranda, LSU Defensive Coordinator
Another defensive coordinator that should get a lot of attention in terms of head coaching candidates is Aranda. Aranda is the highest-paid coordinator in college football and his numbers justify the money he has been paid. LSU allowed the fewest touchdowns and fewest touchdowns per game in the country last season. He also led the country’s top-ranked defense during a three-year run at Wisconsin. Like Schiano, it’s only a matter of time before Aranda gets a head coaching opportunity. Tennessee would be smart to sign him before somebody else does.
Jon Gruden
There continues to be persistent rumors linking Jon Gruden and the Tennessee Volunteers. Gruden, who is currently entrenched as a play-by-play guy on ESPN’s Monday Night Football, could still have that coaching itch. We continue to hear rumors even though he frequently denies them. But Tennessee is an attractive place for him to go. The SEC is struggling right now, so there is room for Gruden to step in and make some gains. Moreover, this is a talented, big program. They haven’t tasted success in a long time and Gruden could help deliver that.
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