By Jimmy Hyams
Tennessee’s decision to dismiss Jauan Jennings was warranted and deserved.
In fact, it was almost a no-brainer.
After walking out of practice Wednesday – in essence, quitting the team – the junior wide receiver went on a profanity-laced tirade in which he blasted the coaches, calling them fake, snakes and liars.
Jennings dropped the F-bomb multiple times. He used the N-word multiple times. He blamed UT’s coaches for the Vols’ poor season.
Is that the type student-athlete the Vol Nation wants representing their school?
“It ain’t nothing to do with no players,’’ Jennings said of Tennessee’s 4-7 season. “It ain’t nothing to do with no (expletive) injuries (expletive). It’s straight (expletive) coaching.’’
Jennings also said: “The coaching staff is holding us back. Please, Tennessee, send us a great (expletive) coaching staff.’’
Shortly after seeing Jennings’ distasteful rant, Jennings was kicked off the team.
“In consultation with vice chancellor/director of athletics John Currie, I have made the decision to dismiss Jauan from our program,’’ Tennessee interim coach Brady Hoke said Wednesday in a UT statement. “Representing the University of Tennessee football program is a privilege.’’
A privilege Jennings no longer deserves.
He is a talent with a bad temper. He is an athlete with an awful attitude.
Last year, he made a huge touchdown catch to help beat Florida and made the miraculous Hail Mary snare in the end zone to beat Georgia. But for every great play, he seemed to draw an unsportsmanlike penalty and engage in scuffles with opponents. He was competitive. He was also incredibly immature.
It seemed Jennings was poised to have a terrific season after catching 40 passes for 580 yards in 2016. He would be the top target with the departure of Josh Malone.
But Jennings broke his wrist in the season opener against Georgia Tech, had surgery, and then went AWOL.
He didn’t come to practice.
He didn’t go to the weight room.
He didn’t rehab in the training room.
He didn’t attend most games.
Some teammate, huh?
He also didn’t consistently go to class, putting his eligibility in question.
Jennings was gone so long from the team, Tennessee cleaned out his locker, believing he had quit, sources said.
Jennings first returned to practice Tuesday, a source said, and the Murfreesboro native hoped to play against Vanderbilt. On Wednesday, he stormed off the practice field because UT wouldn’t let him play quarterback. He wasn’t told to leave. He departed because UT wouldn’t let him play his high school position!
He then took to Instagram to record his disgusting rant.
One coach on the UT staff told me Jennings was one of the three hardest players on the team to manage, given his peculiar and unpredictable behavior.
Before the season opener this year, Jennings was a no-show at practice. A UT player was summoned to find him; Jennings was found in his room, stoned.
His punishment? He started against Georgia Tech.
Jones had a right to dismiss Jennings back in August. He had further cause in the ensuing two months when Jennings disobeyed instructions from Jones and others in the football program to attend meetings, go to the training room, show up at practice – like two other injured Vols did: Cortez McDowell and Todd Kelly Jr.
I’ve heard some argue that the next UT coach should decide whether Jennings should be dismissed. I disagree.
If I’m the next coach and I look at Jennings’ resume, I’m thanking Hoke and Currie for kicking Jennings off the team so he’s not my problem. And I’m wondering why Tennessee didn’t take stronger action than just a suspension.
Jennings is apparently fighting some demons. He has anger management problems. He has a volatile personality. He has tested positive for drugs at least once at UT.
It’s obvious to me that Jennings needs professional help.
No doubt, Jennings is a troubled young man.
And it’s time for him to take his troubles elsewhere.
Sponsored by Big Kahuna Wings: The wings that changed it all
