John Adams: SEC coaches could use Butch Jones' advice on how to spin a record

John Adams | Knoxville

When Tennessee’s Big Orange Caravan makes its first stop in Chattanooga on Saturday, fans likely will hear something like: “One of only three SEC schools to win at least nine games each of the past two seasons.”

The voice behind the words? Tennessee football coach Butch Jones’, of course.

No one in the SEC is better at spinning a record and accentuating the positive. It’s a wonder other conference coaches don’t consult him.

He could advise them on what to say and not to say. Then, their offseason messages might read like this:

Alabama: The Tide have won four national championships in the past eight seasons.

Don’t mention how many points Clemson scored against them in two national championship games.

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Arkansas: The Razorbacks have qualified for bowls in each of the past three seasons under coach Bret Bielema, who most recently led them to a 24-0 first-half lead against Virginia Tech in the Belk Bowl.

Don’t mention that Virginia Tech scored 35 unanswered points in the second half.

Auburn: The Tigers have had four consecutive winning seasons.

Don’t mention that Alabama has won five of the past five Iron Bowls or that coach Gus Malzahn once said something like: “Jeremy Johnson would be the next big thing at quarterback.”

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Florida: The Gators are one of only three SEC schools to win nine or more games in each of the past two seasons (Sound familiar?)

Don’t mention any of their quarterbacks since Tim Tebow.

Georgia: The Bulldogs have won eight or more games for six consecutive seasons.

Don’t mention that they have lost five games in two of the past four seasons and haven’t come closer than 14 points to Florida in the past three games.

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Kentucky: The Wildcats haven’t lost more than seven games in nine of the past 11 seasons.

Don’t mention that they have had six losing seasons in the past seven years.

LSU: The Tigers haven’t won fewer than eight games since 1999.

Don’t mention quarterbacks.

Missouri: The Tigers are the only team in the SEC East to win 11 or more games in two of the past four seasons.

Don’t mention that they are a combined 1-3 against Vanderbilt and Kentucky the past two seasons.

Mississippi State: The Bulldogs have played in seven consecutive bowl games.

Don’t mention that they have had a winning record in the SEC only once since 1999.

Ole Miss: The Rebels have had a winning record in four of the past five seasons and have beaten Alabama twice in the past three seasons.

Don’t mention Laremy Tunsil, gas mask, bong or NCAA investigation.

South Carolina: The Gamecocks have played in bowl games in eight of the past nine seasons.

Don’t mention what happened to coach Will Muschamp at Florida.

Texas A&M: The Aggies have won eight or more games for each of the past five seasons.

They have lost five games for each of the past three seasons.

Vanderbilt: The Commodores have qualified for bowls in four of the past six seasons.

Don’t mention that they haven’t had a winning season since coach James Franklin left.

John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 or john.adams@knoxnews.com. Follow him at twitter.com/johnadamskns.