Former Tennessee football player Antone Davis may consider himself a Vol For Life, but he sure as heck wants no connection to current head coach Butch Jones. In a resignation letter to step away from his role as the Vol For Life coordinator, Davis did not mince words with his thoughts on the head coach of the football program that is under constant fire week by week.
In a resignation letter to Tennessee AD John Currie dated on October 31, according to a report from Jimmy Hyams of Sports Radio WNML in Knoxville, reportedly claimed working with Jones was “one of the worst work experiences” he had. There may have been more involved in Davis’ decision to resign from his position. Per the report, Davis claimed he had not received a merit raise, although he did receive a school-mandated raise between 1.5 and 3.0 percent.
From the WNML report, Davis wrote;“I want you to know that I am not leaving Tennessee because I want to,’’ Davis wrote in the email. “I am leaving because I must. My biggest regret and fear is that I am leaving behind student-athletes and co-workers that may be subjected to the same treatment I have received.’’
Davis also wrote: “In closing, I deeply regret that things have been allowed to transpire, causing a high level of anxiety and other health issues thus creating my need to resign.’’
Jones has previously received a public endorsement from former Vols quarterback Peyton Manning, but the way things have been going for the program have led some former players to sound off with their anger directed at Jones. Jones has managed to survive this long while Florida has made a coaching change. We’ll see how much longer he can hold on to the job.