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Welcome Back

Friday, August 16, 2013

Donald Page • Tennessee Athletics

Jones ushers in modified mindset to Vols in 2013 Steven Cook Sports Editor How does a football program with a 5-19 Southeastern Conference record in the last three seasons enter the 2013 season with the consensus No. 1 recruiting class in the country? The answer seems to be Butch Jones. Since the end of Tennessee’s Derek Dooley era, the oftenquestioned hiring in December of 2012 has turned into a movement that has completely altered expectations, confidence levels and the overall culture in Knoxville. “Throughout the years of coaching changes, the standard of which Tennessee is supposed to be at was lost,” senior defensive end Jacques Smith said. “Coach Jones brought it to our attention. “He’s definitely changed everyone’s mindset this offseason.” Offensive tackle Ja’Wuan James, who gave up a likely secondor-third-round pick in last season’s NFL draft to play for Jones as a senior, praised his new coaching staff for the changes they’ve brought to the program. “It’s been a whole lot easier (to play for Jones),” James said. “They’re making it easier. They’re more personable. You almost feel like family, like you’ve known these guys for years, like they’ve recruited you.” For perspective, James was recruited by Lane Kiffin. It’s more than likely that a majority of the roster entered into the first player meeting skeptical of the former Cincinnati coach, who was not-so-quietly UT’s third or fourth choice in their late 2012 coaching search. However, Smith said it took only minutes for that skepticism to fade. See FOOTBALL on Page 2D

WHAT’S INSIDE:

• UT Athletics

Offensive lineman Antonio Richardson and teammates during spring football practice.

Lady Vols Softball, page 6D

Robert Hubbs III feature, page 3D

Butch Jones at Media Days, page 2D


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