Butch Jones understands Vol fans' frustration; 'If I was a fan, I'd be upset, too.'

Butch Jones knows fans are upset with Tennessee's 3-5 start to the season. He understands their frustration.

"If I was a fan, I’d be upset too," Jones said Monday. "I bleed with them, but also, I understand we need to win some football games, and I’m going to do everything in my power for our players, for our university, for our program, to get that done.”

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As for Jones, he said he's "very, very disappointed, but not discouraged."

Vol fans had to be wondering Sunday whether Jones' tenure would survive after Tennessee's 29-26 loss to Kentucky on Saturday. Tennessee has lost four straight entering Saturday's game against Southern Mississippi (5-3), matching its longest losing streak since 2013.

Sunday came and went without a peep from the athletic department while Jones sits on the hot seat amid his fifth season at UT.

Jones said after Saturday's game that he "absolutely" believes he has the full support of athletic director John Currie. Asked Monday about that comment and Currie's support, Jones said "nothing has changed at all.”

Jones said he communicates with Currie on a daily basis. When asked whether they've discussed Jones' status for next season, Jones said "all we do is we talk about day-by-day and week-by-week. That’s been the constant theme since he’s been here.”

Notably, Currie did not release a statement in support of Jones on Sunday, when questions about his job security reached an all-time high.

“Our players, just like us, it’s back to work for another week," said Jones, when asked whether a public statement of support from Currie would have been beneficial to his players' psyche. "They’re ready to go, just like our coaching staff. It’s a week-to-week season, as we’ve talked about. It’s all about Southern Miss and getting ready to play in Neyland Stadium for homecoming.”

While Jones noted that he's cognizant of the fan base's frustration, he also said he's received some encouraging words.

“There’s been a ton of people that have been supportive," Jones said. "This is a great community, and we have a lot of great friends here. There’s been a lot of people that have been extremely supportive.