When recruits aren't old enough to remember a program's last national title, it's impossible to recruit at an elite level without engaging in chicanery. (See: Harbaugh, Jim.)
Such is the case for Tennessee's Butch Jones, who, by the way, is dealing with his own set of sexual assault coverup allegations. Though the Vols dismantled an upstart Northwestern in the iconic 2016's iconic Outback Bowl, it came on the heels of a disappointing 8-4 season.
Some believe Tennessee to be a playoff contender this fall, but that remains to be seen. So what's a coach to do to attract the elite athletes he needs to get his program over the top?
The answer, obviously, is a $221,580 Mercedes with suicide doors.
From knoxnews.com:
"Kids judge you by your car," Jones told the crowd. "It's crazy. "I was joking with another fellow SEC coach because the SEC Network came in and did a feature. They first did a feature on his car. So when they came to Knoxville, they did a feature on my car. My SLS."
The SLS carries a sticker price of $221,580 and features a 6.2 liter V-8 engine and Gull-wing doors that open vertically.
Butch is right. That is crazy, but not as crazy as a coach four games over .500 driving around in a car more expensive than the average Knoxville house.
