Canales tabbed to develop quarterbacks

Tennessee head coach Butch Jones called hiring a quarterbacks coach a big priority this offseason. Today, Jones has filled the vacancy with Utah State assistant head coach Mike Canales.

Canales actually has interviewed twice for the job in the last two weeks including this past Monday. Canales and Larry Scott, who is expected to be the Vols new offensive coordinator worked together at South Florida.

Canales was one of four coaches who interviewed for the job. Former Heisman Trophy winner Chris Weinke, NFL assistant O'Connell, and Richmond offensive coordinator Jeff Durden all interviewed for the job. But Canales' college experience and desire to be in the college game won out of two NFL assistants and Durden who hasn't coached at the Power 5 level.

Jones has long been impressed with Canales. Two years ago when the Vols played North Texas, Canales was their interim head coach and Jones threw heaps of praise on the long time offensive assistant coach.

For the last two years, Tennessee has not had a full time quarterbacks coach. Nick Sheridan who was a graduate assistant and then an offensive intern handled quarterback development. Sheridan left for a job at Central Michigan and Jones made it clear in discussing the direction of his offense with a new coordinator that quarterback development was a priority.

“The number one priority that we have to do is get in here a great developer of quarterbacks,” Jones said. “Having some very talented quarterbacks in our program, the quarterback development is going to be obviously very, very important.”

Canales is most noted for being NC State's quarterback coach where he coached current San Diego Charger Phillip Rivers.