Coaches Spotlight: University of Tennessee Head Coach, Butch Jones, Saugatuck Graduate

Saugatuck High School graduate, Butch Jones is the Head Coach at the University of Tennessee in the SEC. Jones will be entering his 9th season as a Head Coach in 2015. Since 1990, Jones has held assistant coaching positions at; Rutgers, Wilkes, Ferris State, Central Michigan, and West Virginia before becoming the Head Coach at Central Michigan in 2007.

During his time at Central Michigan, Jones developed Dan LeFevour into one of the most prominent QB's in college football as the Chippewa's would go 27-13 in his 3 years including a win at Michigan State and an overall record of 20-3 vs. the MAC conference, winning the MAC West twice.

Butch Jones would not coach the Chippewa's in their bowl win vs. Troy in 2009 as he was named the next Head Coach at the University of Cincinnati. Following a 4-8 season in 2010, Jones quickly turned Cincinnati into one of the most exciting teams to watch, due to an explosive offense. In 2011 and 2012, the Bearcats went 19-6, finishing with a share of the Big East Conference title and both seasons finishing in the top 25.

Again, Jones would get pulled his 3rd year before his former teams bowl game, as he was named the next University of Tennessee coach in 2012. Butch Jones replaces Derek Dooley at Tennessee to become the programs 24th Head Coach. Like at Cincinnati, Jones first season was adapting to a new conference and opponents as the Vols finished with a 5-7 record. In his 2nd season Tennessee finished with a 7-6 record, including a convincing, 45-28 bowl game win over Iowa.

Overall, Butch Jones record as a Head Coach is 63-40 with a 2-2 record in bowl games. Jones has one Michigan player currently on the Tennessee roster, Redshirt Junior DT, Danny O'Brien from Flint Powers who led Powers to a state championship his Senior year.

Butch Jones and his Tennessee staff have offered 5 kids from Michigan in the Class of 2015 which include: John Kelly, Kyonta Stallworth, Mike Weber, Brian Cole, and Josh Alabi. The staff also has a head start on the Class of 2016 by offering; Khalid Kareem, Matt Falcon, Donnie Corley, LaVert Hill, and Daelin Hayes, as well as Josh Ross in the Class of 2017.

The Volunteers Class of 2015 prior to Signing Day has zero Michigan commits but is still rated as the #5 signing class on Rivals.com, #5 on Scout.com, and #4 on 247Sports.com.

Following his graduation from Saugatuck High School which is located in Southwestern Michigan off of Lake Michigan, Jones would walk-on to play Football at Ferris State before injuries shut the door on his playing future. Jones played Quarterback at Saugatuck and transitioned to Wide Receiver at Ferris State.

Butch Jones also has members of his staff who have graduated from Michigan High Schools; John Jancek - Muskegon Orchard View, Zach Azzanni - Eisenhower.