What Is 2013 Tennessee Vols football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2013 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season, finishing with an overall record of 5–7 and a 3–5 mark in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play under head coach Butch Jones. They played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Key Facts

The 2013 Tennessee Vols finished with a 5–7 overall record
They went 3–5 in Southeastern Conference (SEC) play
Butch Jones was in his first year as head coach
The team played home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville
Tennessee failed to qualify for a bowl game for the second consecutive year

Overview

The 2013 Tennessee Volunteers football team represented the University of Tennessee during the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. Competing in the Eastern Division of the Southeastern Conference (SEC), the team struggled to find consistency under new head coach Butch Jones, who was hired after the dismissal of Derek Dooley.

The Vols played their home games at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, one of the largest stadiums in college football with a capacity of over 102,000. Despite a strong fan base and renewed energy from a coaching change, the team failed to qualify for a bowl game for the second consecutive year.

Overall record: The team finished the season with a 5–7 win-loss record, marking a slight improvement from the 5–7 record in 2012.
SEC performance: In conference play, Tennessee went 3–5, placing fifth in the SEC Eastern Division behind Florida, Missouri, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Head coach: Butch Jones began his tenure as head coach in 2013 after previously leading the University of Cincinnati to success in the Big East.
Home stadium: All home games were held at Neyland Stadium, which has consistently ranked among the top venues in attendance nationally.
Bowl eligibility: With only five wins, the Vols did not reach the six-win threshold required to qualify for postseason bowl consideration.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 2013 season featured a mix of close losses and encouraging performances, particularly in games against ranked opponents. While the team showed signs of improvement under new leadership, critical mistakes and defensive lapses hindered overall progress.

Season opener: Tennessee defeated Austin Peay 31–10 in Week 1, showcasing offensive potential with 435 total yards.
Loss to Oregon: A 35–24 defeat to No. 25 Oregon in Week 2 highlighted defensive vulnerabilities despite a strong effort from quarterback Justin Worley.
Upset over South Carolina: The Vols won 23–21 in October, ending a 12-game losing streak to ranked opponents and marking a turning point for the program.
Close loss to Auburn: Tennessee fell 55–23 to eventual national runner-up Auburn, who scored 32 unanswered points in the second half.
Final game: The season concluded with a 24–10 loss to Vanderbilt, extending the Commodores' winning streak in the series to two games.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of the 2013 Tennessee Vols to the previous season and a peer program in the SEC:

Category	2013 Tennessee Vols	2012 Tennessee Vols	2013 Kentucky Wildcats
Overall Record	5–7	5–7	2–10
SEC Record	3–5	2–6	2–6
Head Coach	Butch Jones (1st year)	Derek Dooley (3rd year)	Mark Stoops (1st year)
Bowl Game	No	No	No
Scoring Average	25.1 points per game	20.9 points per game	18.4 points per game

The table illustrates that while Tennessee did not improve its win total from 2012, it showed modest offensive improvement and better conference performance compared to Kentucky. Both programs were rebuilding under first-year coaches, but Tennessee maintained a stronger national profile and fan engagement. The data reflects a transitional season with incremental progress rather than immediate success.

Why It Matters

The 2013 season was a foundational year for the Tennessee football program under new leadership, setting the stage for future recruiting and cultural changes. Though the record was underwhelming, the team’s competitive spirit against ranked teams signaled potential for improvement.

Coaching transition: Butch Jones brought energy and structure, helping stabilize a program that had struggled under previous leadership.
Recruiting impact: Strong recruiting efforts in 2013 laid the groundwork for improved talent in subsequent seasons.
Player development: Quarterback Justin Worley and linebacker A.J. Johnson emerged as key leaders on the field.
Fans and attendance: Neyland Stadium averaged over 97,000 fans per game, reflecting enduring fan support despite on-field struggles.
Media exposure: Games against Oregon and South Carolina provided national television exposure, boosting program visibility.
Program trajectory: The 2013 season was viewed as a step toward long-term rebuilding rather than immediate contention.

While the 2013 Tennessee Vols did not achieve postseason success, the season was significant for its role in reshaping the program’s direction. It marked the beginning of a new era that would gradually influence performance in the years that followed.