Tennessee Fires Butch Jones One Week Before Playing LSU

Tennessee Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics John Currie announced Sunday that Butch Jones has been fired.

The news comes just one week before the Vols play LSU in Knoxville on Saturday night.

Tennessee assistant coach Brady Hoke will serve as the interim head coach for the remainder of the season.

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"I would like to emphasize how much I appreciate Butch and Barb Jones and their sons, Alex, Adam and Andrew. The Jones family has poured their heart and soul into this Tennessee football program and the Knoxville community. We have been fortunate to have Coach Jones lead our program for the last five years. During that time, the program has improved tremendously in the areas of academics, discipline and community involvement.

"Unfortunately, we are not where we need to be competitively. For that reason, I have asked Coach Jones to step down as head football coach. I know Coach Jones will be successful moving forward, and we wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

"Coach Brady Hoke has been named interim head coach. I know Vol Nation will rally around this team and support our student-athletes as they compete the remainder of this season.

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