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I’m not exactly sure what a “Bearcat” is, or what it’s supposed to be, but I’m starting to think there’s something unique (aside from feline gene splicing) going on in Cincinnati. The last three head coaches to depart the Cincinnati Bearcats‘ football team have all seemed to do pretty well for themselves. First was Mark Dantonio, who departed in 2006 to coach the Michigan State Spartans. Then there was Brian Kelly in 2009, who left for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. And most recently, there was Butch Jones, who landed a storied SEC job with the Tennessee Volunteers in 2012.
Jones is entering his third year of Rocky Top ambience, and although his cumulative record sits below .500 (12-13), it’s invalid to say he’s squandering this opportunity with Tennessee. The Volunteers have culled together two consecutive top-five recruiting classes, and notably enough, the Alabama Crimson Tide are the only other SEC team that can make this claim.
Consider part I of the mission accomplished.
Now comes part II: win football games. Don’t win enough just to be bowl eligible — this is rabid SEC-country after all — but win like Phil Fulmer once did, like Johnny Majors, like Bill Battle and continue the line. Tennessee wants to redeem their SEC East status; they want Volunteer stadium to roar louder than any other mega-stadium in the country, and they want their seventh national title.
Jones has built equity on the recruiting trail, and now it’s time for the investment to seek returns.
The Bearcat bloodline has served Michigan State and Notre Dame well, and it’s beginning to flood Knoxville with blue-chip talent. Tennessee may have the toughest road to redemption out of the three, but they can always look back to figure out what’s ahead. And if Jones can get these blue-chippers buying into UT Orange, then he can get back to the principle aim of his resume — and coach.
Jerry Landry is a writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jerry2Landry, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
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