Of course you have to look at the starting point. Not talking about guys who take over the Vols when we're winning 8, 9 games a year and continue the success (Neyland, Fulmer, others).
This chart shows the first three years (#wins) for each Tennessee coach throughout our history
who faced a rebuilding job.
Some things jump right out at you: almost all of the coaches achieved success to one degree or another. Only Dooley took the team downhill. Even Wyatt had net gain over the three years, even though he regressed from Year 2 to Year 3.
The next thing you notice is that Jones' trend looks very similar to the trendlines of Johnny Majors and Z.G. Clevenger. All three heading steadily upward. What is less obvious at first glance is that Butch will outperform both of them if he wins out (including bowl win). Butch matches Doug Dickey's success in his first three years, as well. Being favorably compared to Dickey, Majors and Clevenger, that's pretty good company.
So yes, it hurt to lose to OK and FL after leading them for much of the game. Sucks, to be honest. And yes, it was clearly possible for Team 119 to have gone 11-2 rather than 9-4, if we'd held out to win those two matches.
But that hypothetical scenario would just ADD to Butch's success, which is already matching the best in our history for rebuilding eras. Those two almost-wins don't detract from what you see in this chart--they would've added to it.
No, Butch is the man. Those who are hating on him are wrong. He's definitely got the program moving in the right direction.