Vols Want Joe Barry? Really?

When you go after a defensive coaching legend who is the architect of one of the most successful schemes ever to be the defensive coordinator of your university, it’s a smart move. When you go after the defensive mastermind behind the only 0-16 NFL season in history, you’re fucking reaching.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebackers coach Joe Barry is in demand again.

Barry, whom the Washington Redskins wanted as their new linebackers coach, has been contacted twice in the last few days by new University of Tennessee head coach Derek Dooley.

Barry said Dooley called him on Saturday and again on Thursday and is interested in making him the replacement for Monte Kiffin as the Vols defensive coordinator.

The emergence of Geno Hayes works to Barry’s credit this season and that’s all well and good, but if you’re going to count that, you also have to count Barrett Ruud’s inability to get any splash plays or tackles for loss or even tackles for a yard or two. The linebackers, much like everyone else, underachieved. From a Vols standpoint, it might be a good recruiting hire since he can put Derrick Brooks and Shelton Quarles on his resume as well as flash a Super Bowl ring to new recruits. But will he actually be able to coach them when the come to Knoxville? 2002 was quite a while ago. As a Bucs fan, I’m trying to think of replacements for him if he goes to Tennessee, and I honestly can’t think of one known defensive coach out there that would take the job. Bill Sheridan already got a job with the Dolphins after the Giants fired him. I can’t think of any others. So Raheem Morris would probably replace him with the guy who towels off the weight benches or a crash test dummy or something. It may all be moot anyway.

Barry said he’s interested in the job, but it appears the Bucs still have not decided whether to hold Barry to his contract, which has another year remaining on it.

Citing that contract, Barry was recently denied an opportunity to speak to the Redskins about the opening on their staff and is no stranger to the restrictions a contract can present.

Barry was denied permission to go to Detroit in 2006, but that was Bruce Allen’s call. Mark Dominik may have a different philosophy about that if the move is seen as a step up. But can the DC position under Dooley honestly be seen as a solid career move? Tennessee may have to start handing out hostesses as signing bonuses to get decent coaches interested. That’s not an NCAA violation, right?