TLDR: Former Tennessee coach, Butch Jones, now steering the ship at Arkansas State, recently made a notable declaration – his thinking cap jives just like the renowned Alabama wizard, Nick Saban. Reflecting on his Alabama venture, Jones spilled the beans on how he nearly boarded ship with Urban Meyer. Instead, Saban’s call whisked him away, offering the role meant for deep thinkers, those who fuel their own fires, mirroring a head coach’s mind. With a streak like Saban’s (292-70-1 and a stash of seven titles), it seems Jones sees his own experiences through crimson lenses. Meanwhile, his own coaching ledger rests at 95-80. And word has it, Jones will feast his eyes on Bama taking on Michigan at the bowls, come year-end’s celebration.

Well, I’ll be. Listen up, y’all—I got a story to tell ‘bout old Butch Jones. Bless his heart; this man is coachin’ Arkansas State now but used to be the head honcho over at Tennessee. Seems like he’s put on quite the show lately, thinkin’ his noggin works similar enough to the grand Nick Saban.

Now, pull up a chair, ‘cause Butch was sittin’ ‘round one day, projectin’ he’d throw in with Urban Meyer at—of all places—Ohio State. Can you imagine? But destiny rang up in the dial of Alabama’s esteemed Saban. “Come ‘on down,” Saban says. What’s a fella to do? Butch did what anyone knockin’ ‘round these parts would do—he saw the comfort zone, smirked, and stepped apace right out of it!

So off to ‘Bama Butch went, cracked his knuckles and did whatever it took to lighten Saban’s hefty playbook load. He revved up that autonomous engine of his, lookin’ all the while through them head coachy eyes. He even goes so far as to fancy his and Saban’s grey luggage packed the same—yep, he said it, thinks just like Sam.

You heard me right. Much clear as a sunny dah at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Butch put those words out into the world—the same world where Saban, a livin’ legend, mind you, brewed up a pot of brilliance with seven national shiny cups and a record that’ll have folks talkin’ decades hence. I got to tip my hat—Saban’s 292-70-1 dance record ain’t no back porch strum.

Then there’s Butch, bless his cotton socks, boastin’ a humble scoreboard of 95-80 in the head coachin’ world. Ain’t nothin’ to scuff at, sure, but there’s levels to this game!

Anyway, the man’s game enough to tell it like it is, wouldn’t miss ‘Bama play even if the cows were comin’ home—says he’ll have those bleacher seats warmed up when Bama tangles with Michigan. The Rose Bowl on New Year’s Eve? We’ll be havin’ our black-eyed peas waitin’ here, knowin’ Butch’ll be eyeballin’ the field.