Vols Break Family Tradition

To say Phillip Fulmer hasn't gone outside the Tennessee family to hire assistant coaches isn't true.  It's happened many times.   But this week's hiring of Dave Clawson as the Vols' new offensive coordinator is a landmark.

For the first time in decades, the guy at the other end of the headsets on game day won't have an extensive Tennessee background.    David Cutcliffe did.   Randy Sanders did. 

It was foolish to believe Fulmer was ready for a wholesale change in his offensive philosophy.   I never bought into that and Clawson's hire confirms it.   His arrival in Knoxville was borne of necessity, but it also reaffirms Fulmer's approach to scoring points.  Tennessee will do it their way.  Clawson fits.

This week's hiring of Florida running backs coach Stan Drayton was the first clue Clawson was coming to Knoxville.   Both worked together at Villanova.  

Fulmer's not afraid to adapt.   Expect more Gerald Jones option-type plays next season.   But while elements of the spread-option offense may be popular in some places-- it's not sweeping into Knoxville just yet.   Clawson is, and Fulmer made the right move.