Hoke focuses on players, not self

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Tennessee interim coach Brady Hoke isn’t worrying about his own future. His focus is on the Volunteers’ seniors.

Hoke, who has rejoined the head coaching ranks for at least a couple of weeks, said Monday that his major concern is making sure those upperclassmen get the best possible finish to a disappointing season.

“These last two games are about one thing, and that’s the seniors on this football team,” Hoke said Monday. “They have been part of 29 wins, and they’ve laid the foundation for this program that was badly needed. They’re the ones we play for.”

Tennessee athletics director John Currie named Hoke the Volunteers’ interim coach Sunday after firing Butch Jones, who had a 34-27 record in five seasons. Hoke joined Jones’ staff this year as a defensive line coach and went 78-70 in 12 seasons as a head coach at Ball State (2003-08), San Diego State (2009-10) and Michigan (2011-14). Currie had other options within Jones’ staff. But it was Hoke who had the most head experience.

“Brady Hoke is a three-time conference coach of the year in three different conferences, has won at the highest level and was a very appropriate choice,” Currie said.

Associated Press coaching