If Tyson Helton is going to be criticized as Western Kentucky’s coach, it won’t be for being too conservative.

Helton made that promise Tuesday during a news conference introducing him as WKU’s new football coach.

Helton vowed to make WKU known for “an exciting brand of football” that will be described as “creative” and “cutting edge.”

“When I was here, the fans never sat down,” Helton said. “They were always standing up, and everybody was hooting and hollering. That’s my goal here. I want to get back to that brand.”

Helton’s vision doesn’t reflect his lone season as Tennessee’s offensive coordinator. UT’s offense was, at times, criticized for being too conservative. The Vols ran the ball on 58.5 percent of their plays, giving them the sixth-most run-heavy offense in the SEC.

Compare that to Helton’s two years as WKU’s offensive coordinator. Helton, under coach Jeff Brohm, directed a pass-heavy offense in 2014-15, and the Hilltoppers averaged 44.4 points and 44.3 points in those seasons.

This is Helton's first head coaching job. He received a four-year deal worth $800,000 annually. He can earn an additional $400,000 each year in incentives. He made $1.205 million annually as UT's offensive coordinator.

Helton said he intends to restore the approach WKU had under Brohm.

“When our fans come to the stadium, I want to put on a show for them,” he said.

His comments suggest that UT’s methodical, pro-style, run-first offense in 2018 was probably more reflective of coach Jeremy Pruitt’s vision than Helton’s. Although downfield passing was a key part of Tennessee’s offense this season, overall, the Vols had a conservative approach.

A kind parting of ways

Tennessee waived Helton's buyout.

Under the terms of his contract, he owed about $860,000 for leaving before March 1. However, his contract outlined that the buyout would be waived "for good cause," such as becoming an FBS head coach, and "upon the request of" Pruitt.

Helton was brief but complimentary in his comments toward Tennessee.

He called his year here “invaluable” and added that Vols athletic director Phillip Fulmer and Pruitt "are true professionals.”

Regarding Pruitt, Helton said “he’s going to do great things at the University of Tennessee.”

Pruitt also offered Helton praise following his departure.

“Congratulations to Tyson Helton on being named the head coach at Western Kentucky,” Pruitt said in a statement. “I’m grateful to Tyson for the hard work he put in this season and his help in setting the foundation for future success at the University of Tennessee. Tyson is an outstanding coach. I wish him the best and I expect he will do a great job at WKU.”

Returning to familiar territory

WKU went 9-16 in two seasons under Mike Sanford, who was fired Sunday. Hilltoppers athletic director Todd Stewart acknowledged that he started thinking about Helton as WKU’s coach before firing Sanford — in fact, long before.

Before Sanford, WKU had a run of successful coaches.

Willie Taggart coached WKU from 2010-12. After Taggart left for South Florida, Stewart replaced him with Bobby Petrino. When Petrino left after one season for Louisville, Stewart promoted Jeff Brohm from offensive coordinator to coach.

Stewart said he thought throughout the 2013 season that Brohm would be a fine replacement if Petrino left.

He thought the same thing about Helton as he watched him work in 2014-15 under Brohm.

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But Brohm didn’t leave WKU for Purdue until after the 2016 season. By then, Helton was at Southern California as the quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator.

It took a couple years, but Stewart brought Helton back.

Helton is “the perfect person for our job,” Stewart said.

Where does Jeremy Pruitt turn?

Making a smart hire to replace Helton becomes arguably the most important task for Pruitt as he looks to make gains after a debut season that ended with a 5-7 record.

Hampered by woeful performance from the offensive line, Tennessee finished last in the SEC in total offense for the second straight season, but it improved its yards per game and yards per play output under Helton.

Pruitt has a second chance to bring in someone to run UT's offense who shares his vision. Or, perhaps Pruitt will turn his next offensive coordinator loose to do what he wants with the offense.

Helton's replacement will be Tennessee's fourth offensive coordinator in as many seasons. Whoever Pruitt hires will at least get to work with a veteran offense. Every offensive starter is set to return.

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