Butch Jones Has "Sense of Urgency" This Spring

For a new head coach like Butch Jones, fifteen practice sessions for spring football just isn't enough. But Jones is trying to make the most of his limited opportunities this spring.

Butch Jones is literally jumping between drills in spring practice. He's in a hurry to turn around the Vols fortunes. "The big thing with this football team is they have to understand every time we step on the football field, there has to be a great sense of urgency. There has to be a sense of urgency. We don't have time to wait. We have to come Thursday with a great sense of urgency. In our lifting sessions and our meetings also with a great sense of urgency."

While Jones wants that sense of urgency, he understands he has to be patient."We are still in that infant stage of developing our mentality in our football team. I told them football practice officially starts Thursday when we put the pads on."

Even though the Vols have enjoyed only two spring practice sessions, Jones likes their work ethic. "I was going home last night, and we had a number of players in the indoor, working on their fundamentals by themselves. That shows me that they are hungry and eager." Added defensive lineman Marlon Walls,"Guys are putting their time in. I'm really appreciative of my teammates for taking that next step of accountability."

And Jones believes the Vols need that accountability even during the spring. "They have to understand the magnitude and importance of spring football each and every day."