How marketable is Butch Jones as a head football coach now?

Butch Jones’ best move in his last year as Tennessee’s football coach was hiring super-agent Jimmy Sexton.

Who better to have in your corner than the UT alum? No one is more attune to the college coaching carousel. And he’s especially prominent in the SEC, where Alabama’s Nick Saban heads up his lengthy client list.

Even before Jones was fired Sunday, Sexton likely was already shopping for a landing place. After all, there was nothing shocking about Jones’ dismissal. He began his fifth season at Tennessee on the hot seat, and the heat intensified after a last-second loss to Florida and a dreadful showing in a 41-0 loss to Georgia.

More:UT Vols coaching search: Here's what we know, including Grumors

You might wonder how marketable Jones will be as a head coaching candidate?

Not as marketable as before this season, which now stands at 4-6, but more marketable with Sexton for an agent than without him.

Jones has posted winning records at three schools — Central Michigan, Cincinnati and Tennessee. But his biggest plus is his recruiting reputation at UT, where his last four classes had an average ranking of 10.5 in the 247Sports composite team rankings. 

Adams:Jones a great Vols football salesman with too thin skin, not enough wins

That should get any athletic director’s attention, particularly if his program is in need of rebuilding.

After four consecutive seven-loss seasons, UT went 7-6 in Jones’ second season. He followed that up with back-to-back 9-4 seasons before the program took a tumble in 2017.

Getting players wasn’t Jones’ problem. Keeping and developing them was.

Some of the players who were enamored with Jones as a recruiter realized they didn't want to play for him, which contributed to the program's attrition.

More:Butch Jones' replacement: 15 names from Gruden to Gundy

There has been considerable speculation about Jones' treatment of players, but no player has gone on the record giving details about how he was mistreated. Now that Jones is gone, former players might be more willing to talk.

Player development also has been an issue. For example, the defense that gave up 50 points to Missouri on Saturday was full of four-star recruits.

Tennessee's offensive inadequacies this season also could negatively impact Jones as a head coaching candidate.

Despite his experience on that side of the ball, the Vols rank 124th in total offense, 116th in scoring offense, 111th in passing and 101st in rushing yards per game.

More:What it was like for Vols on Sunday when Butch Jones was fired

Their offensive struggle has been magnified in the SEC, where UT has managed only five offensive touchdowns in six games. Missouri’s offense had six touchdowns in one game against the Vols.

In Jones’ defense, you could point out that Tennessee has started three different quarterbacks due to injuries, and its offensive line has been plagued by injuries as well.

Excuses aside, it’s still hard to get past those stats.

All of that could raise questions with any athletic director who is considering Jones as his next football coach. Nonetheless, with Jones' track record as a recruiter and with Sexton as his agent, Jones might not have to wait long for another head coaching opportunity.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at: Twitter.com/johnadamskns.