LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis is a baby. He admitted it.
Chavis spoke through tears following No. 1 LSU’s (7-0, 4-0 Southeastern Conference) 38-7 victory against Tennessee (3-3, 0-3 SEC) on Saturday.
“I’m a softie,” Chavis said. “Call me a baby or whatever you about.”
It makes sense that the Volunteer faithful would praise Chavis for his time at Tennessee. Chavis walked on as a football player while he was a student at Tennessee. He later earned a scholarship for his play as an offensive lineman.
He was the defensive coordinator for the 1998 Volunteer national championship team. During his tenure at Tennessee, Chavis coached future NFL players such as Eric Berry, Jerod Mayo, Albert Haynesworth and Jabari Greer.
While he cherished his time with the Volunteers, Chavis was quick to say the people that matter right now are his players on the LSU defense.
“My heart is with those Tigers,” he said. “I’m with them every day. Those are the people that I care the most about right fun.”
The Tigers’ defense held a Tennessee offense that was averaging 327 passing yards a game to only 128 yards on six completions.
The defense didn’t have to do much work in the second half. LSU controlled possession for most of the third and fourth quarters, and the Volunteers only had three drives in the second half.
LSU coach Les Miles said the game ball was awarded to Chavis in an emotional exchange after the game. According to Chavis, none of the focus should have been on him.
“I don’t ever want this to be about me,” he said. “I’m an old football coach, an old country boy that was fortunate enough to be able to fall in love with the them.”
 
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Contact Albert Burford at [email protected]