Tennessee dismisses WR Jauan Jennings after he rips coaching staff in expletive-filled rant
“Dysfunctional” would be an understatement when it comes to the Tennessee football program.
Vols wide receiver Jauan Jennings, famous for catching the Hail Mary to beat Georgia last year, posted an expletive-filled rant on his Instagram account Wednesday where he ripped the Vols coaching staff. Hours later, interim head coach Brady Hoke announced on 104.5 The Zone that he, in consultation with athletic director John Currie, has dismissed Jennings from the program.
Tennessee later released the following statement from Hoke:
“In consultation with athletic director John Currie, I have made the decision to dismiss Jauan from our program. Representing the University of Tennessee football program is a privilege.”
Among other things, Jennings said the “coaching staff is holding us back” and asked Tennessee to “please send us a great-*ss coaching staff.” Jennings accused the UT coaches of lying (about what is unclear) before calling them “fake” and snakes.
“That’s what the f*ck is wrong with Tennessee,” he said. “It ain’t nothing to do with no players. It ain’t nothing to do with injuries. It’s straight f*cking coaching.”
(Video of Jennings’ rant is here, via Rocky Top Insider)
Jennings, who has not played since the season opener due to a wrist injury, said he was going to practice in order to play in the game against rival Vanderbilt (because he “really f*cking hate(s) Vanderbilt with a f*cking passion”) on Saturday, but it appears that did not happen.
“Bring us a coaching staff that is honest and will do everything in their power for the kids and the players. F*ck the paycheck. This is for us,” Jennings said. “But yeah, f*ck the coaching staff right now. I don’t give a f*ck.”
Jennings, a junior, entered the season as Tennessee’s leading returning receiver. He caught 40 passes for 580 yards and seven touchdowns in 2016.
Tennessee fired head coach Butch Jones on Nov. 12, a day after a 50-17 loss to Missouri. The Vols (4-7, 0-7 SEC) host the Commodores (4-7, 0-7) on Saturday at 4 p.m.
– – – – – – –
Sam Cooper is a writer for the Yahoo Sports blogs. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!
