With the recent firing of Tennessee’s head coach Butch Jones, the Tigers reflect on how the familiar change in coaching can affect the Vols ahead of their upcoming matchup.
“They want to make the most of their fresh opportunities,” senior wide receiver DJ Chark said. “Saturday will be the start of a new era for them.”
The Tigers know from first-hand experience how much firing a head coach during the middle of the season can inspire a struggling football team. Last year, Les Miles was fired as LSU’s head coach four games into the season, and interim head coach Ed Orgeron sparked a new sense of life into the team.
“They are going to play hard,” junior defensive back Donte Jackson said. “They are playing for their pride and their respect kinda of how we were last year after we lost coach Miles.”
LSU will travel to Knoxville to face Tennessee this Saturday. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m.