Shoop: We will be aggressive
It was going to take a special job to pull Bob Shoop away from the Penn State football program and out of his home state, but a position on Tennessee's staff was just that.
Shoop, who was introduced as the Volunteers new defensive coordinator Tuesday, cited a number of qualities the Tennessee program possessed as reasons for returning to the SEC, but the biggest being the Vols chance to compete at the national level.
Tennessee appears to be knocking on the door of the upper echelon of college football success after closing the 2015 season on a six-game win streak to finish 9-4 and in the top 25 for the first time since 2007. With plenty of key players returning, Shoop hopes to boost the Vols into the SEC and national conversation.
“Sometimes you take a job because the team was 1-11 and suddenly it was a disaster. But I don't see that here. The core values are in place to be a good team,” Shoop said. “I just can be a piece of that puzzle and help take it to that next level. From nine wins, to 10-11 wins, to Atlanta in the first Saturday in December. I understand that's what the expectations are, and I'm excited about that. That's really part of the reason and appeal to me.
“I know it's just a matter of time and I think this team is poised to compete for SEC Championships and playoff berth.”
Shoop and Tennessee agreed to a three-year, $1.15 million dollar annual salary. His incentives package is the same as other Tennessee assistants, and he also will receive $5,000 in camp compensations each year. The contract has no buyout, meaning Shoop would not owe Tennessee any money should he depart for another job. Tennessee is not responsible for Shoop's buyout at Penn State, and Shoop declined to comment on how that would be handled — opting to say it is “between him and Penn State.”
Shoop's hire was announced Saturday, ending his two-year tenure holding the same position at Penn State. His hire came less than a week after Butch Jones parted ways with John Jancek, who had been Jones' defensive coordinator for the past three seasons at Tennessee.
"It's the hardest thing I've had to do as a head football coach," Jones said. "Sometimes you've got to step back and look at everything. You've got a personal side and a professional side. I'm very thankful for coach Jancek. Coach Jancek has done a very good job for us.
"But sometimes you've got to step back and as a leader, you're forced to make very, very difficult decisions.”
The decision to cut ties with Jancek and bring in Shoop has fans and national media praising Jones. Shoop's defenses have been hailed as some of the best in the country, and the numbers back it up. Shoop's last five defenses — three at Vanderbilt and the past two at Penn State — have ranked in the top 25 nationally. The 2014 Penn State defense was second nationally in total defense.
The key, he says, is his aggressive style and approach.
“We'll be an in-your-face-style of defense that's built on relentless pursuit and never ending pressure,” Shoop said. “Stop the run. We’re very committed to stopping the run, eliminating any and all explosive plays, and create takeaways. That’s an area we think we can do better in. We want to be disruptive. We want to get after the quarterback. We want to create tackles for loss, something we were very good at last year at Penn State.”
With Tennessee's defensive tenants secure thanks to a well-seasoned staff, Shoop's aim is to weave his overall philosophy into the things Tennessee has done well over the past three seasons. Some of those ideas were tossed around in his unorthodox interview process. Shoop said Jones “locked him” in a room with the rest of the Vols defensive staff and told them to “figure it out.” After a 12 hour session, Shoop left the room feeling confident in what could be done with the Tennessee defense.
With most of the parts in place, Shoop sees Tennessee has being very close to reaching a level unseen in Knoxville in nearly a decade. All that's left is one more step.
“I think the parts are in place for this to be a championship unit. I really think that,” Shoop said. “My man is sitting somewhere in here, Jalen Reeves-Maybin. He’s the undisputed leader of this group. He’s a special guy, and he knows that. We’ve got big time players up front. Derek Barnett’s a guy I’ve had a relationship with from being at Vanderbilt. Cam Sutton is certainly a premier corner, and there’s a lot, lot more.
“This isn't an overhaul. This is an enhancement.”