Butch Jones speaks out for first time since firing: 'I'm starting to get that itch'

Butch Jones has spoken publicly for the first time since being fired as Tennessee's football coach.

On Thursday, ESPNU Radio tweeted a one-minute clip of an interview with Jones.

"I'm very proud of what we were able to accomplish," Jones said. "Two back-to-back nine-win seasons, three straight bowl games. We're able to do things here that haven't been done in 10, 15, 20 years.

"It's a result-oriented business," Jones said, adding that he's "never been a part of anything like" the Vols' 2017 season.

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"We had 29 concussions. We had 25 players out. Never been a part of anything like that. We looked at everything, our practice structure. Most of them were game-induced injuries, and it was very, very unfortunate because I thought we'd come a long way.

"And I'm proud of all of our players and staff, but as you get ready for the next journey, you learn from some things and you get ready to move on.

"Already, I'm starting to get that itch."

Several media outlets have listed Jones as a candidate to coach the Arizona Wildcats. That job opened Tuesday when Rich Rodriguez was fired. Arizona athletic director David Heeke hired Jones at Central Michigan in 2007.

Jones, who went 34-27 in five seasons at Tennessee, was fired Nov. 12 after a loss dropped the Vols to 0-6 in the SEC and 4-6 overall. UT finished 0-8 in the SEC and 4-8 overall — the first time a Tennessee team has lost eight games in a season.

Jones was under contract through Feb. 28, 2021. Because he was fired without cause, he is owed $8.126 million in buyout money.

The buyout adheres to the language in Jones' contract. He is required to seek comparable employment to mitigate the damages.

Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt was named as Jones' replacement last month after a tumultuous search.