Scott says Miami experience has given him new perspective

Jan 7, 2016 - 10:51 PM KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) New Tennessee tight ends coach Larry Scott says his brief stint as Miami's interim head coach has given him a new perspective on his usual role as an assistant.

Scott led Miami to a 4-2 record as interim head coach this season after Al Golden was fired in October. Miami announced last month that it had selected former Georgia coach Mark Richt as Golden's permanent replacement.

Tennessee announced Monday that Scott had agreed in principle to become a tight ends coach on the Volunteers' staff. Scott said in a conference call Thursday that his 2015 experience has given him additional insight on what a head coach needs from his assistants.

''You really understand the value of how important your job is as an assistant coach, to make sure you're doing your piece, carrying your weight and taking care of the guys in your room, making them better people and better players,'' Scott said. ''You're taking care of your responsibilities in recruiting. You're just making sure each and every day you're coming in with the right mindset and attitude, that I'm going to attack the job - not just do my job. I'm going to attack it with an urgency and passion.

''The more I do that, the more the operation runs smoothly.''

This marks the first time in his career that Scott has worked outside the state of Florida. He grew up in Sebring, Florida and played offensive tackle at South Florida. After working at various Florida high schools, Scott returned to USF in 2005 and stayed there until becoming Miami's tight ends coach in 2013.

In a school release this week that announced Scott's addition, Tennessee coach Butch Jones called him ''a great teacher, motivator and recruiter, and most importantly, a great mentor for our student-athlete.'' Jones added that the way Miami finished the season ''speaks volumes to his leadership skills.''

''There's a couple of places in the country where you go, `If I have an opportunity, I have to really look hard at it,''' Scott said. ''This is definitely one of those places where when the opportunity presented itself, it really struck some heartstrings with me and my family.''

Scott said he also looked forward to working with Tennessee coach Butch Jones for the first time. Scott said he was familiar with his new boss from their years as Big East rivals when Jones coached Cincinnati and Scott was at USF.

''I know his tenacity and prowess on the road in recruiting,'' Scott said. ''I know how he is. I know his passion for what he does.''

Scott is replacing Mark Elder, who left Tennessee to become the head coach at Football Championship Subdivision program Eastern Kentucky.

The addition of Scott is one of two staff changes Tennessee has made. Jones announced Wednesday that John Jancek wouldn't be back as defensive coordinator next season. Jones said he and Jancek had ''mutually agreed to part ways.''

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