Tag Archives: Twitter
Vols-Kentucky: Wrapping up a bumpy 2013 season (videos and photos)
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — The buzzword of the week for Butch Jones and his team was “1-0” and the Vols finished with that mark after beating Kentucky on Saturday night in Lexington.
For all the talk of positive momentum after the win, someone quite sensibly asked, “What if Tennessee had lost?” The only positive momentum then would be the force with which this season was consigned to the trash basket.
Jones, true to style, said he plan for everything, including that contingency. Fortunately, it won’t be necessary.
The seniors can leave on a positive note after an otherwise bleak four- or five-year stretch, and Jones and his staff can turn their attention completely to recruiting.
#Team117 built the foundation for @Vol_Football for years to come, now it's time for the recruiting grind for #Team118! #VFL
— Butch Jones (@UTCoachJones) December 1, 2013
Thanks for following me this year. I’m going to take the next nine months off and see you in August.
Just kidding! We’ll have tons of content between now and spring practice, including a lot of interesting recruiting stuff, some very early position previews and anything else that I have time for. If you have any questions or ideas, let me know.
For now, check out the video montage from last night above, some video interviews below, as well as some photos from before and after the game. Watch the video in your highest HD settings for best results.
Defensive lineman Cory Thomas appears to be Tennessee’s latest commitment (updated with official news)
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Defensive lineman Cory Thomas of McAdory High School in McCalla, Ala., has verbally committed to sign with Tennessee, AL.com reported today.
“I’ve decided to go to Tennessee and rise to the top with the Tennessee Vols,” Thomas told the website.
Thomas announced his commitment on Twitter earlier Monday but almost immediately deleted his message, shown below in a screen capture. It’s not clear why the tweet was deleted.

Cory Thomas tweeted his commitment to UT, but later deleted it. A story on AL.com quotes him as saying he plans to sign with Tennessee.
Thomas, a 6-foot-6, 270-pound defensive line prospect, also had offers from Mississippi State, Florida and Clemson, according to his 247 profile.
Thomas be the 31st publicly committed member of the Vols’ 2014 signing class.
UPDATE: Thomas formally committed to the Vols on a local Birmingham television station Monday night. The deleted tweet was, presumably, trying to save the news for his televised announcement.
Suspended Tennessee player Mo Couch says he’s still waiting on word from NCAA (tweets)
If I don't play next week, im gonna lose my mind!
— maurice couch (@MoTrilla44) October 26, 2013
Na ncaa still playing the quiet game @morganc44: please tell us you will be back for Mizz!…….."
— maurice couch (@MoTrilla44) October 28, 2013
N I again I apologize to the Volnation for what I did, but I'm a father first!
— maurice couch (@MoTrilla44) October 26, 2013
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — In a series of Twitter posts made during Tennessee’s loss at No. 1 Alabama, suspended defensive tackle Mo Couch expressed his eagerness to return to the field, but said he had not received clearance from the NCAA.
In response to a question from a fan, Couch said the NCAA was still playing the “quiet game.”
Couch was ruled ineligible on Sept. 12 after Yahoo Sports reported that he was among several current and former players who received cash payments from someone acting as a liaison to NFL agents.
Couch hinted at his motivation for taking money when he tweeted that he was a “father first.”
Couch and his wife have one child. His wife is pregnant with their second.
UT football players, recruits and coach react online to George Zimmerman verdict

George Zimmerman (Associated Press photo)
When George Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges after a highly publicized three-week trial, the news provoked angry reaction among some members of Tennessee’s football team.
BREAKING: Jury acquits George Zimmerman of second-degree murder in shooting of Trayvon Martin -RJJ
— The Associated Press (@AP) July 14, 2013
Junior offensive linemen Antonio “Tiny” Richardson was one of several players to react immediately on Twitter.
Zimmerman not guilty….. I'm done.
— Antonio Richardson (@tinyrichardson) July 14, 2013
I'm about to lose it!
— Antonio Richardson (@tinyrichardson) July 14, 2013
So they just letting him walk freely?
— Batman (@CoreyMillerYFN) July 14, 2013
I know my hometown(Sanford) is losing it about the #ZimmermanTrial!! Stay strong n leave it in God's hands!
— maurice couch (@MoTrilla44) July 14, 2013
Vanderbilt assistant responds angrily after Butch Jones references stadium size in tweet
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — We’ve scrupulously documented the various Twitter tussles involving Vanderbilt head coach James Franklin (here and here, for example), but now Vandy assistants are getting into the act.
This Vandy-UT game on Nov. 23 is going to be a lot of fun.
Here’s how the latest social media drama started.
After Tennessee’s Orange & White Game ended on Saturday, Butch Jones tweeted out thanks to the fans who attended. He followed up immediately with this tweet.
Some places can’t get 60,000+ to a game or seat 60,000 in their stadium! #BrickbyBrick #VolbyVol We will #RiseToTheTop! #VOLUNTEERSTATE
— Butch Jones (@UTCoachJones) April 20, 2013
James Franklin, in testy exchange on Nashville radio, doesn’t back down from ‘settling in life’ comment
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Vanderbilt coach James Franklin went on a Nashville radio station this week apparently expecting a softball interview about the Commodores’ upcoming spring game.
Instead, as you can hear for yourself, the interview on the Midday 180 show on 104.5 The Zone turned contentious about midway through.
Jonathan Hutton, Chad Withrow and Paul Kuharsky are identified as hosts on the show’s Twitter page. Update: A reader tells me that Kuharsky is the host who will not take evasion for an answer.
New UT coach Robert Gillespie’s Twitter popularity soars, while Jay Graham updates his profile with a new look
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — It didn’t take long for the newest member of Tennessee’s coaching staff to get a new Twitter handle.
New running backs coach Robert Gillespie is now @UTCoachG. In just one morning, he surged over 5,000 followers from about 1,500 at West Virginia when he was a semi-regular tweeter.
Gillespie did post a goodbye message to fans in West Virginia before switching over.
Derek Dooley briefly emerges on Twitter, starts but doesn’t finish Top 10 list
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — Social media has been all the rage in Knoxville since the hiring of new coach Butch Jones and his tech-savvy staff.
But while Jones and his coaches offer plenty of rah-rah optimism, what was missing was the wit and snark for which Twitter is known.
Enter former Tennessee coach Derek Dooley, whose Twitter debut has been long awaited since he sent his first tweet shortly after being fired.
While Dooley’s first new tweets today got us off to a rousing start, he left us hanging only 10 percent into the countdown.
Read on for the Storified details…
Butch Jones’ Twitter surges in popularity, then goes blank
KNOXVILLE, Tennessee — New Tennessee football coach Butch Jones has embraced Twitter, posting updates about his first few days on the job and frequently interacting with fans.
Within days, Jones had surpassed 50,000 followers, making him the fourth-most followed head coach in the country.
Then, on Thursday night, he reached a new distinction.
His account was suspended by Twitter. Going to @UTCoachJones profile on Twitter gives you a blank page saying, “The profile you are trying to view has been suspended.”