(Video above: Tennessee head football coach Butch Jones really wishes “Sweet Home Alabama” wouldn’t get played during Tennessee football practice.)
KNOXVILLE, TN — Butch Jones and his Tennessee Volunteers are trying to build on their 7-6 2014 seasons, the program’s first winning campaign since 2009. But if they ever hope to return to their late-90s, Manning-era glory, they’re going to have to find a way to beat the University of Alabama.
In 2014, former UT head coach and current UA offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin made his highly anticipated return to Tennessee’s Neyland Stadium. The offensive guru went to Amari Cooper early and often, allowing the NFL-bound wide receiver to rack up 224 yard receiving, propelling the Tide to a 34-20 victory.
That win marked Alabama’s eighth consecutive victory over Tennessee.
Needless to say, “Sweet Home Alabama” is not on Coach Jones’ iPod playlist. But apparently it is on somebody’s playlist in the UT athletics department.
As the first day of spring practice was getting underway at the team’s Knoxville football facility, the iconic guitar riff of Lynyrd Skynyrd’s ode to the Yellowhammer State suddenly flooded the air.
Jones came unglued.
“Why would we have that playing at Tennessee?” The flabbergasted coach asked everyone within earshot. “Do you think you could go to Alabama and they sing ‘Rocky Top’? That’s embarrassing. Are we not at Tennessee?”
After a lengthy search, the culprit was finally found at the nearby baseball stadium.
“Run over there and tell them that don’t play here!” Jones demanded.
The full episode was documented by the UT football program’s video crew (video above).
They don’t reveal the identity of the individual who played the song. But all we can say is, God bless them, whoever they are.
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— Cliff Sims (@Cliff_Sims) December 3, 2014
