Division Eastern Division AP No. 25 Head coach Phillip Fulmer | Coaches No. 23 2006 record 9–4 (5–3 SEC) | |
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Conference Southeastern Conference | ||
The 2006 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2006 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Tennessee entered the 2006 season coming off an 5–6 record (3–5 SEC) in 2005. The Volunteers were given a preseason ranking of #23 in both the Coaches' Poll and the AP Poll.
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Led by head coach Phillip Fulmer, the Volunteers played their home games at Neyland Stadium. The 2006 season saw a turnaround from the previous years losing record. The Vols added four wins from the total of the previous season. Also notable was the breakout year turned in by wide receiver Robert Meachem who broke the single season school record for receiving yards.
Preseason
The Volunteers were picked by the media as a preseason third place in the SEC's Eastern Division at SEC Media Days. Tennessee was picked as low as 4th by the preseason magazines, with only one, Phil Steele, picking the Vols to win the East Division.
The Vols had last won a conference and national title in 1998. Their last SEC East title had been in 2004.
Starting lineup
Head Coach: Phillip Fulmer (15th year)
Offense
Offensive Coordinator: David Cutcliffe (1st year)
Offensive Scheme: Multiple (I-Form, Shotgun and Singleback)
Tennessee had many changes on the offensive staff following the 2005 season. Former Offensive Coordinator Randy Sanders resigned and later took a job as quarterback coach at Kentucky. Sanders was replaced by former Ole Miss head coach David Cutcliffe. Wide receiver coach Pat Washington and offensive line coach Jimmy Ray Stephens were fired. Washington moved on to Kansas State University, while Stephens stayed in state, taking the same position at Middle Tennessee State University. The coaches were replaced by Matt Luke, who took over as offensive line coach, and Kurt Roper, who came in to coach running backs. Trooper Taylor switched from running backs to wide receiver coach in response to the changes in staff.
Defense
Defensive Coordinator: John Chavis (19th year)
Base Defense: Multiple (4–3 and 3–2–6 "Mustang")
The entire Tennessee defensive staff returned for the 2006 season. The group of Johnny Chavis, Dan Brooks, Steve Caldwell, and Larry Slade have been together since the 1999 season.