It was cold… It was wet… But it was so good.
After all the turmoil he endured (most self-inflicted) in five seasons as head coach of the University of Tennessee, Butch Jones would experience the joyous side of the Alabama-Volunteers rivalry over the weekend as a member of Nick Saban’s coaching staff.
He is not tasked with much in being an offensive analyst; however, Saban does allow Jones to make suggestions, study film and assist offensive coordinator Michael Locksley if it is needed.
It is not easy to transition from being the head man at a major collegiate program to being labeled an “intern” by the most powerful influence in the sport; nevertheless, Jones has learned to adjust and is starting to see the value in the decision he made. All week leading up to the game, a few Crimson Tide players joked around with Jones in assuring him that this year’s team would get him that long-awaited cigar. Alabama made good on its promise and before time expired on a 58-21 win over Tennessee, Jones was hit with a bucket of Gatorade and embraced.
Video from Bill Bender of Sporting News
Butch Jones gets a Gatorade bath pic.twitter.com/TDRhdypKjT
— Bill Bender (@BillBender92) October 20, 2018
Saban was not too fond of the Fruit Punch flavor that was dropped on him at the 2010 BCS National Championship Game (2009 season), but seeing the players celebrate a moment with Jones did his heart a lot of good.
“It was good to see Butch Jones get dumped on,” Saban said on players celebrating Jones’ first victory in the “Third Saturday of October” rivalry. “I know he was happy and he has done a great job for us and we appreciate the things he has done to help our program.”
Following the win, some of the players took to social media to post photos of Jones puffing his first cigar in excitement. He may be the lowest man on the totem pole, but even Jones deserves to have some fun at the most elite program in college football.
Stephen M. Smith is the managing editor and senior writer for Touchdown Alabama Magazine. You can “like” him on Facebook or “follow” him on Twitter, via @CoachingMSmith.
