For Tennessee Volunteer fans, the decision to hire Butch Jones means closure after weeks of rumors, offers, and rejections.

Many fans we talked to are optimistic about this former Cincinnati Bearcat turned leader of the Volunteers.

"I think he's going to be pretty stern. I think he's going to actually help the players execute, and hopefully he's definitely a better defensive mind, so I think he'll be good for us," said B.J. Oakes, a Vol fan we talked to.

Fellow fan Jack Blevins said, "It seems like he's got a good game plan from listening to his interview on T.V. [Friday]."

But first, there was fan momentum for Gruden, then Strong, and then plenty of talk.

"There were some rumors out there that Tennessee was talking to Bo Pelini from Nebraska. I would've like to [have seen] that," said Jared Myers, a local Vol fan.

The new hire debate is hot and heavy on our local radio waves.

Bill Meade, host of 'SportsLine' on WXSM 'The Monster", is fielding call after call from local fans; many who are unhappy with the Jones hire.

"I'm begging somebody, please, somebody tell me who that big name coach is that you were so desperate to get?" Meade said while on the air.

Meade told us while most fans are willing to give Jones a chance, his performance will be watched here in the Tri-Cities with a very close eye.

"Until this guy either develops into a championship coach or he has more five-and-seven seasons and he gets released, then we'll be talking about it then I'm sure," added Meade.

But with a decision set in stone, Big Orange country can stop looking for a coach and start looking toward a future.

"I bleed orange from September through December," laughed Blevins.

As for what fans can expect this coming season, Bill Meade told us with next year's schedule, Jones has a tough year ahead of him, so fans could need a little bit of patience.