Vols coach Butch Jones' assistants benefit from shared history - WSMV Channel 4

By STEVE MEGARGEE
AP Sports Writer

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - The members of Tennessee coach Butch Jones' staff believe their familiarity with one another should help them produce the same type of results they delivered at their previous stops.

Offensive coordinator Mike Bajakian, tight ends coach Mark Elder, defensive coordinator John Jancek, strength coach Dave Lawson, offensive line coach Don Mahoney and defensive line coach Steve Stripling all worked with Jones at both Central Michigan and Cincinnati. Safeties coach Willie Martinez and wide receivers coach Zach Azzanni also worked with Jones at Central Michigan.

The only Tennessee assistants who have no previous experience with Jones are linebackers coach Tommy Thigpen and running backs Jay Graham, the lone holdover from former Volunteers coach Derek Dooley's staff. Thigpen worked alongside Martinez at Auburn this season and previously has worked with Azzanni.

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