Bob Shoop addition a show of power by Tennessee, increases expectations

Tennessee made a true power move over the weekend in pulling away defensive coordinator Bob Shoop from Penn State. The Volunteers weren't the first SEC team to attempt to lure Shoop south, as he quickly became LSU's top candidate to replace John Chavis last offseason and was Auburn's first choice to replace Will Muschamp this offseason.

After declining several offers to leave State College in the past, the opportunity to join a talent-rich roster capable of winning a SEC championship was too much to pass for Shoop. Despite never working with Butch Jones or any of his staff, declining an offer for more money from Auburn and having to pay his own buyout at Penn State, Shoop jumped at a chance to coach with the Vols. 

This was not an easy decision and one that I didn't take lightly," Shoop said Saturday. "Over the last 24 hours I had an opportunity to meet with Coach Jones and his staff. It became evident to me that he is building a great program, a program on the rise and certainly one that will compete for an SEC Championship. I'm looking forward to becoming a part of the team.

Now with one of the nation's premier defensive coordinators on staff, the pressure to seize the SEC East will only continue to increase for Tennessee. With new coaching staffs at Georgia, South Carolina, Missouri and Florida still in rebuilding mode, the Vols will undoubtedly enter 2016 as the favorites in the division.