"Chief" Goes To LSU

John "Chief" Chavis former Defensive Coordinator at my alma mater of Tennessee is reportedly going to LSU to serve in the same capacity.

From ESPN

John Chavis, whose attacking defenses were the backbone of some of Tennessee's best teams under Phillip Fulmer, is trading Rocky Top for the Bayou.

Multiple sources have told ESPN.com that Chavis has agreed in principle to become the new defensive coordinator at LSU and that the deal is expected to be finalized later this week.

Sources told ESPN.com that Chavis' deal is for multiple years and will pay him more than $500,000 annually. Chavis earned $340,000 last year at Tennessee.

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Chavis, 52, spent the last 14 seasons as Tennessee's defensive coordinator. The Vols, despite their struggles on offense this season, ranked fourth nationally in total defense.

In nine of Chavis' 14 seasons as the Vols' defensive coordinator, Tennessee ranked among the top three in the SEC in total defense. Miles got an up-close view of Chavis' work during the 2007 SEC Championship Game when Tennessee held the eventual national champion Tigers to just one offensive touchdown.

Chavis, a Tennessee graduate, remained extremely loyal to Fulmer and turned down several opportunities to leave Tennessee, including NFL jobs with the Indianapolis Colts, Houston Texans and Atlanta Falcons. He also was wooed by former South Carolina coach Lou Holtz earlier this decade.

I think this is a GREAT hire by the LSU Tigers. Coach Chavis has been the one steady influence at Tennessee over the past 14 years. Coach Chavis is also a great recruiter who knows how to relate to kids from all kinds of background. He also brings a fiery demeanor to a team that didn't seem all that fired up this year. I think Lane Kiffen made a huge mistake letting Chavis go but his loss will definitely be LSU's gain.

A Great Christmas Present: Gruden Names Raheem Morris Defensive Coordinator.

This is a great move in my opinion. Raheem Morris is a smart young defensive mind and I can definitely see him as a Head Coach in the NFL a few years down the road. Now if only the Bucs could hire a better Offensive Coordinator.

From TBO.com

TAMPA - Bucs coach Jon Gruden saw to it that secondary coach Raheem Morris had a very merry Christmas this year.

Before leaving One Buc Place on Christmas Eve, Gruden told the 32-year-old Morris that he will replace Monte Kiffin as the Bucs' defensive coordinator beginning in 2009.

"It was Christmas and I wanted to give him a Christmas present," said Gruden, who informed his team of the decision Thursday. "I wanted to give him something to be excited about and to reward him for his effort and hard work."

Morris' appointment doesn't come as a great surprise. Since Kiffin announced plans to leave the Bucs for the University of Tennessee, many have considered Morris a leading candidate to replace him.

Now in the second year of his second stint with Tampa Bay, Morris has six years of experience in the Bucs' system. He also has a year of work under his belt as a coordinator, earning that in 2006 at Kansas State University.

"I'm just trying to beat Oakland right now, but I am pretty excited about this," Morris said. "It's a great accomplishment and I'm proud they're giving me the keys to drive this defense. It's awesome."