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The turbulent career of Janzen Jackson at Tennessee is over.
Not even a full 24 hours after Derek Dooley reiterated that Jackson was on a zero-tolerance policy and managed day-to-day, the Vols coach announced the decision to dismiss the junior safety in a release on Wednesday morning.
No specific reason was provided, but Dooley is scheduled to meet with the media after a mock game Wednesday night at Neyland Stadium. Multiple sources with direct knowledge of the situation but not authorized to speak publicly about the issue confirmed to the News Sentinel that Jackson has dealt with substance abuse problems during his time with the Vols, which appear to have contributed to his withdrawal from the program in the spring prior to returning over the summer.
Citing privacy laws, UT could not confirm nor deny an ESPN.com report that Jackson failed drug tests, but his status with the team clearly changed at some point following practice Tuesday morning and the public announcement on Wednesday.
“Our program has devoted a tremendous amount of energy, resources, support, and care in an effort to help Janzen manage his personal challenges,” Dooley said in the release. “I will always be there to help him as a person, but there comes a time when a player’s actions preclude him from the privilege of playing for the University of Tennessee football team.
“Although I’m disappointed with this outcome, we will never compromise the long-term organizational values and goals we maintain here at Tennessee.”
Jackson spent time away from the program throughout spring and the first session of summer school dealing with undisclosed personal problems in hopes of coming back for another season with the program.
But a violation of the policy Dooley put in place for his return will now keep him continuing a career that included 23 games, 106 tackles and six interceptions as an invaluable weapon at the back of the UT defense.
More details as they develop online and in Thursday's News Sentinel.
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Comments » 324
Orange_Nation_23 writes:
WTF
hatethevols writes:
Oh well someone else will have to step up.
VOLS_SEC_RULES writes:
Wow.
xliveitup writes:
Didn't see this coming. Bummer.
xliveitup writes:
We have a bunch of talent in the secondary. I really believe it will be a strength for us this year.
voloffaith writes:
Did we see this freight train coming? Oh well we move on and hope he learns from this.
lomas98 writes:
Unbelievable. I said when he was reinstated we will be lucky if he makes it past the GA game. He is just too much of a risk. Don't know what his problems are, but hope personally he gets them in order. Lane's recruiting class doesn't have anyone left. Fulmers last class and Lane's first one, is there anybody left?
MilitaryBrat writes:
Dooley tried to help this kid out as much as possible. We may never know his issues.
But at least now you can't say Dooley is keeping someone on the team just because he is a good player.
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
Big loss on the field. However, there's something to be said about how a guy acts in the locker room and off the field as well. I'm not happy to see this as it is a HUGE loss on the field. However, I stand behind Dooley 1,000,000% on this one.
THEKIDWISCONSIN writes:
Very curious to finally hear what his super secret issue has been the last year so we can put closure to this...
What an incredible waste of talent...
Much respect for Dooley in doing the right thing for the team and university. A player can only get so many chances.
Dooley knew this was coming which is why he loaded up on the secondary. Waggner steps up and now I see Byron Moore making a bigger impact his first year with us.
GO VOLS!
Volunatic writes:
Hate to hear that. Glad Dooley is keeping the integrity of the program as the priority.
I hope Janzen Jackson gets his problems straightened out.
GO VOLS!!! Step up to the challenge!
bspurlingcac#225603 writes:
He was given every chance to get it right! The team must come together and become even stronger.
Go Vols!!!
FearlessFreep writes:
He had from all accounts three, maybe four chances. Apparently he squandered them all.
Sad for the kid, but this type of discipline is necessary if you're going to truly build a team.
Kudos to CDD.
Malloryjoy8 writes:
Hurry up and tell us why!!!
BlueHound writes:
Must have failed a urinalysis...
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
I hope they don't move Waggner to safety. He's not a good safety and is a great corner. Do the math.
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
Didn't see this coming because he has had a great fall camp..I guess other DB's will have to step up, and we have an abundance to do so..Good thing Dooley recruited a ton of them in this years class..It all makes sense.
Smokey says that Prentiss will be the man this year...
coxo921 (Inactive) writes:
A STEEL CUP has been needed to follow this progra for a long time as a UT fan....there should be a vegas line on amount of days or hours after the program recieves good news that it will recieve bad. Doesn't matter how small or what sport....it's frustrating that as a whole UT can't enjoy a month without some kind of major turmoil....much less a season.
VOLS_SEC_RULES writes:
Another Kiffin recruit gone.
leprechaun writes:
Boy, what a suprise ...
Another worthless thug gets booted off the team.
Congrats to DD for cleaning house of the riff-raff!
sk1015#219933 writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Ayres_Hall writes:
Another Kiffin multi-star signee is gone. We should have all been so lucky, as Janzen Jackson, to have had the opportunity nowhere.
Vol86 writes:
It would have been tough to write a happy ending to this story.
DannyVol writes:
Didn't see this coming? Dooley has repeatedly said that he didn't consider Jackson to be fully "on the team" and that his participation in Tennessee football was "day to day." Dooley is obviously sending the right message here, a message that many of his SEC colleagues shy away from when dealing with their top players.
DRORANGELOVE writes:
Don't know what he done wrong, but I can rest assured Dooley would'nt dismiss him from the team without a good reason. I'm glad to see that we finally have a coach with class and integrity who will not tolerate irresponsible behavior by players no matter how good they are. Tennessee Football has always been about class and tradition, NOT about individuals who think they are above rules. Thank you Coach Dooley for putting principles, tradition, and integrity BEFORE winning at all costs. As a previous post stated, Tennessee Football WILL carry on without Mr Jackson. GBO
FearTheVols1252 writes:
Why does all the drama seem to hit us in heavy doses... JJ, Summitt, NCAA, just in the first half of the week. I'm scared to see what tomorrow brings. Geez!
Mtnbiker writes:
Wow, what talent has been sent away.I however think he's issues cost us the Win in the Music City Bowl with that hit near the end of regulation. Had he practiced with the team he probably wouldnt have did that. His issues kept him away. Great Player, but appearently can't stay clean. I'm 99.9% sure he failed a drug test yet again and Dooley correctly said ENOUGH. Who wants to bet he ends up at USC.
tnsportsman writes:
Tennessee and Coach Dooley has done everything to help JJ, way above the call of duty, IMO.
It's time the Vols and Dooley lets the VolNation know the details on this. Dooley said JJ had only this one chance left, sounds like a failed drug test to me.
NEXT MAN, STEP UP! TEAM!
GO VOLS, VFL!
jimmyrayvol writes:
This sucks plain and simple. I hate to hear this but what can you say? Time to move on and support the the team as it stands. We have already been through alot worse than this. GBO!
VolFan2883 writes:
Dang. What kind of speech did Leonard Little give? lol Good luck JJ, you had the talent to be one of the best. Kudos to CDD for his commitment to discipline. Something UT has lacked for years.
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
We heard you the 1st time.
randy3790 writes:
Thank you Coach for having a backbone.
gnm53108 writes:
This sucks.
Rich_Is_Re-born writes:
That's because any player that QUITS at Vandy wouldn't be taken by any other team.
shipperman#280095 writes:
A VANDY FAN SHOULD NEVER DISCUSS FOOTBALL. EVER. YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT IT
Tru138 writes:
Playing is a privilege, not a right. He had his chances.
MiserableFloridaVol writes:
I LOVE the way Dooley handled the whole situation. With class and confidentiality. He really seems to want to help in the right way, whatever it is.
UTKin1992 writes:
Whatever. Next!
Digital5000 writes:
Oh well. Thanks for the 23 games and good luck sir. Mr. Moore, lets see what you got son.
I think Ive got a pretty good idea on what the story is...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhreCL...
-Enjoy Yoself Mr. Jackson
chattavfl86 writes:
Nothing wrong with trying to help the kid and its a huge loss for the team but it must have reached the point where double d had to shake him loose. Any time you devote so much time and energy to helping an individual and they continuously disappoint you, you reach a point where you have to part ways. Don't know what his problem is but maybe this is the wake up call he needs to fix it. No way his production is replaced this year but one monkey don't stop the show. The show goes on.
ProwlinAndGrowlinSmokeyDog writes:
I am surprised because I thought after all these chances, he would finally get it right..NOT because I didn't see it coming..I was aware that Jackson had issues.
Smokey says NO MORE CHANCES...
utvolfan writes:
I appreciate that Dooley gave this young man a second chance (and maybe more) and backed that up with support and resources. I also appreciate that he held to the limits that he set. I'm sorry that Jackson didn't get his act together but hope that he will learn from this before making even more serious mistakes in his life. As for the nature of his "personal problems," I think that's his business and not any of our business; if he doesn't want to share that information, his privacy should be respected.
UTVOL2001 writes:
Behind you 100% Coach! I feel this entire process with JJ was a good thing for the character of our team and the players. It showed CDD would stand behind his players but hold them accountable at some point! This is not a bad thing Vol Fans! WE have the players in the secondary! GBO!
DannyVol writes:
Poor us, with three wide receivers over 6'3" who can fly; a quarterback on every watch list who throws a beautiful deep ball; a stable of young backs who could all be All-SEC at some point; a huge offensive line that's getting bigger and meaner every day; a defensive line with All-SEC talent at almost every position; freakish athleticism at linebacker; and All-SEC talent and much depth in the defensive backfield. Give me a break.
ACWLY writes:
Southern Cal here he comes! Kiffin's plan worked again.
gortrtt writes:
Dooley inherited this kid and tried to help JJ get back on the right path. Some young people just don't get it. Regardless, DD did his duty, gave the kid every benefit of the doubt, then cut ties when it became apparent that JJ wasn't going to respond in the appropriate way. In spite of what the trolls may say, DD is steering the ship in the right direction.
heyitsme writes:
In 2 weeks, he'll be totally forgotten. Maybe sooner.
GBO
Southland writes:
good grief folks this isnt the end of the world or the end of the team. It is the beginning of the end of a talented player who has chosen the wrong path. Thanks coach Dooley for trying to help the guy and then having the backbone to get rid of a player that would have brought others down with him as well as bringing more shame on our beloved university
orangeman1 writes:
How is Dooley any different than other coaches when it comes to discipline. I wish someone could give me a straight answer cause I dont see him doing things any differently than most coaches at other programs or former coaches at UT. Dooley took a chance by letting Jackson back on the team after what was going on, and the cloak of secrecy as to why he missed bowl practice and quit school. Bottom line is, I dont see how after all the slack he's given Jackson that it shows he is strong on discipline like some of you are stating.
keviningeorgia writes:
Blahhh blahh bablahh blahh UT bad, Dooley bad. Blahhh bablahh, Fulmer, blahhh UT bad blahhh blahhhhhhh….
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