The 10 most ridiculous statements from Butch Jones

10. “Brick by brick”

Ugh.

“Brick by brick.”

It’s a phrase that has been drilled into Vols fans’ heads for the past four years. Jones used this as a way to build long-term expectations for a downtrodden program.
With Tennessee stuck in rebuilding mode, the coach promised to build the program “brick by brick” with recruiting as its foundation. While that worked during his first two seasons in Knoxville, it’s a promise that has grown thin with a large portion of the fan base. Eventually, Jones is going to have to take those bricks, apply some mortar and actually build a house.

9. “Praise and blame, it’s all the same”

Jones has used the phrase “praise and blame, it’s all the same” on numerous occasions. It’s basically his way of either diverting criticism or hype, depending on Tennessee’s changing expectations.
Jones has used this phrase after losing close games, as well as downplaying the Vols being picked as a favorite to win their division. But no, those things are not at all the same.

8. “25 points”

Tennessee won 13 of its previous 18 games heading into the 2016 season. Those five losses, however, were by a combined margin of 25 points. So naturally, Jones made “25 points” the team’s mantra during the off-season.

“So we’re working for those 25 points in everything that we do —in the classroom, in academics, in our strength and conditioning program, with everything,” Jones said. “That’s kind of been the rallying cry.”
While his team should set goals, it’s questionable for the coach to put public emphasis on close losses, especially with most of them coming from poor late game decisions and clock management.

When Butch Jones talks, he often leaves us scratching our heads. (Photo Credit: Jim Brown
USA TODAY Sports)

7. Downplaying expectations of an SEC East Division title

Tennessee was expected by many to win the SEC East Division title in 2016. That was talked about throughout the season by fans, media members and even the coaches. However, Jones denied it shortly after the Vols’ win against Missouri in November.

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Rhiannon Potkey @TennesseeBeat

#Vols coach Butch Jones said "you never heard me talk about it" regarding team's goal winning SEC East title.
8:03 PM - 19 Nov 2016

Really? Not once?

Either way, Tennessee lost to Vanderbilt the following week and spoiled its chances at an SEC Championship Game appearance.

6. On not going for two against Florida while ahead by 12

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Tennessee Football
?@Vol_Football

JONES on not going for two: We had great confidence in our defense, so we felt comfortable in that decision.
7:43 PM - 26 Sep 2015

Many fans’ perception of Jones changed during the 2015 Florida game. After months of being heralded as the “savior” to the ailing program, the coach made several questionable decisions with his team ahead late against the Gators who the Vols hadn’t defeated since 2004.
The most confusing decision came during Tennessee’s final touchdown. Ahead by 12, Jones elected to kick a point after rather than go for two.

Trailing by 13, Florida marched downfield and defeated Tennessee, 28-27, to extend its winning streak.
Jones defended his decision by claiming he had “great confidence” in his defense. Regardless, that doesn’t justify not taking a chance in that situation.

5. “We always just want to be 1-0”

This quote was recycled throughout the 2016 season. Jones wanted his team to focus on the upcoming task at hand during each weekly press conference. He told reporters that the Vols “always just want to be 1-0.”
Apparently this meant the team had a clean slate every week, regardless of the previous outcome. So don’t worry about those upset losses to South Carolina or Vanderbilt, we’re heading into our first game of the season fresh!

4. “We learned about the value of being ready vs. the value of being prepared.”

Huh?
What is the difference between being ready and being prepared? It’s literally the same thing.

If you don’t believe me, Google it. “Ready” is in the definition of “prepared.” That is, unless you’re using Butch Jones’ dictionary, apparently.

This quote came directly after the Vols’ 24-21 upset loss at South Carolina, which followed their bye week.
Apparently they weren’t ready or prepared for the Gamecocks.

3. “5-star heart”

And we’re back to Wednesday’s quote.
So let’s dive in a little bit deeper. Not only did Jones throw out this little “afternoon special,” but he also claimed that Tennessee had to “turn away” more players than in past years.

“A lot of times we had to turn away very, very talented football players unfortunately because of our numbers and what we needed with this current football team,” Jones said. “We probably had to turn away more talented players than we’ve had since we’ve been here.”
While that may have some validity, it comes off as an excuse for seeing a consistent drop in recruiting. Tennessee had numerous decommits leading up to National Signing Day, including five-star wide receiver Tee Higgins, an East Tennessee native who decided to sign with Clemson instead.

2. “Champions of life”

After Tennessee fell short of its SEC Championship Game expectations, Jones provided this gem that has since become infamous in SEC folklore:

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Rocky Top Insider @rockytopinsider

Jones on this senior class: "They’ve won the biggest championship – that’s the championship of life”
12:42 PM - 21 Nov 2016

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Not much needs to be said here. Apparently a “Life Championship” outweighs an SEC East Division title in the eyes of Butch Jones.

1. Eighth win

I really wanted to put “champions of life” or “5-star heart” at No. 1 because of the sheer corniness in either statement. But even those quotes pale in comparison to what Jones said about the Vols winning their eighth game in 2016:

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Wes Rucker @wesrucker247

Butch: "I’m not gonna sit here and talk about (not winning SEC East). We just won our eighth game. That hasn’t been done here in a while."
8:05 PM - 19 Nov 2016

“That hasn’t been done here in a while.”

I suppose one season counts as a “while” then considering Tennessee finished with a 9-4 record in 2015. And even more ridiculous, Jones was the coach.

Did he forget?

Is he completely oblivious?

Or is he just trying his hardest to downplay expectations? Regardless, this is most ridiculous of the many questionable quotes from Jones’ tenure in Knoxville and surely won’t be the last.