The longtime SEC defensive coordinator coaching middle school football

[Franklin Pierce]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Twirling his whistle furiously, John Chavis instructs one of his linebackers to get wider.

"Line up right there on his foot," Chavis barks. "Let's run it again. On the hop. Let's go!"

It's reminiscent of the way the man they call "Chief" coached football for 30 consecutive years in the SEC from 1989 to 2019, including the past quarter-century as a defensive coordinator at four different schools.

Only now, instead of coaching Tyrann Mathieu, Jamal Adams and Al Wilson, he's a volunteer on the West Middle School team in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The longtime SEC defensive coordinator coaching middle school football

 

[m1al]

"Chavis, who turns 64 later this month, is quick to note he's not even the defensive coordinator -- just an assistant.

"That way, when we don't get them stopped on third down, they can't get on my butt," joked Chavis"

Hell yea Chief....

 

[preacherwebb]

I wish we could make him one of those fancy analysts on our staff.

I also wish Al Wilson would finish his degree and maybe coach linebackers ... or, shoot, just go ahead and make him an analyst, call him the pre-game/halftime analyst ... he'll be the guy that analyzes the team and makes sure they're fired up and ready to take the field.

 

[WillisWG]

Chavis, a VFL in my book.

 

[allvol123]

Jeff Francis is the head coach of that team I believe.

 

[FïreBall]

I wish we could make him one of those fancy analysts on our staff.

I also wish Al Wilson would finish his degree and maybe coach linebackers ... or, shoot, just go ahead and make him an analyst, call him the pre-game/halftime analyst ... he'll be the guy that analyzes the team and makes sure they're fired up and ready to take the field.

I wish Al would come in the locker room at half time and do one of his talks.. Maybe throw a chair!

 

[Dudleys87]

I’m just happy to see he hasn’t lost the fire.

 

[WillisWG]

Jeff Francis is the head coach of that team I believe.

The Rebels’ head coach is Jeff Francis, a former UT quarterback who has been coaching in the KMYFL for many years. Francis directed West to the 14U title in 2019

 

[WillisWG]

I’m just happy to see he hasn’t lost the fire.

For love of the game....

 

[shoney]

Jeff Francis is the head coach of that team I believe.

Dad’s and Granddad’s reactions when finding out VFL’s coaching middle school team.

 

[malibuvol]

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. -- Twirling his whistle furiously, John Chavis instructs one of his linebackers to get wider.

"Line up right there on his foot," Chavis barks. "Let's run it again. On the hop. Let's go!"

It's reminiscent of the way the man they call "Chief" coached football for 30 consecutive years in the SEC from 1989 to 2019, including the past quarter-century as a defensive coordinator at four different schools.

Only now, instead of coaching Tyrann Mathieu, Jamal Adams and Al Wilson, he's a volunteer on the West Middle School team in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The longtime SEC defensive coordinator coaching middle school football

If I were getting ready to play West Middle School, I'd have my team show up with Florida on the front of my jerseys...

 

[HuntlandVolinColo]

I think he has all the money he needs and just wants to wind down gracefully and put more fun and less stress in coaching up youngins!

 

[bagods]

My son plays for Bearden Middle. Pretty cool seeing those guys on the sideline this year...we smoked them!

 

[R481967]

"Chavis, who turns 64 later this month, is quick to note he's not even the defensive coordinator -- just an assistant.

"That way, when we don't get them stopped on third down, they can't get on my butt," joked Chavis"

Hell yea Chief....

Remember the wonder years with Cut and Chief... it was a lot of fun to be great. Did Al Wilson throw chairs, or locker rooms?

 

[wmcovol]

I liked Chavis until he went to LSU and trashed the talent he had at Tennessee. He had enough defense to win 3 NCs here. Not all losses were his fault but you gotta make stops when it counts. Too often he didn’t. Jmo

 

[malibuvol]

I liked Chavis until he went to LSU and trashed the talent he had at Tennessee. He had enough defense to win 3 NCs here. Not all losses were his fault but you gotta make stops when it counts. Too often he didn’t. Jmo

Anytime we had the lead late in a game and we needed a defensive stop, Chavis rarely delivered...