Tennessee interim coach Brady Hoke meets with the media after the Vols dropped to Vanderbilt
When Tennessee gathered in its locker room following a 42-24 football loss to Vanderbilt, Brady Hoke had something specific to say to the Vols whose careers ended on Saturday.
The Vols interim coach said he was sorry.
"I apologized to the team, well to the 22 seniors, that we weren't able to win this football game," he said.
![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) reacts]()
1 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Micah Abernathy (22) hugs]()
2 of 139![Tennessee Interim Head Coach Brady Hoke runs off the]()
3 of 139![Tennessee running back John Kelly (4) reacts towards]()
4 of 139![Tennessee linebacker Daniel Bituli (35) walks off the]()
5 of 139![Tennessee wide receiver Latrell Williams (8) walks]()
6 of 139![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) walks]()
7 of 139![Tennessee tight end Ethan Wolf (82) and Tennessee tight]()
8 of 139![Tennessee running back Carlin Fils-aime (27) runs the]()
9 of 139![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) throws]()
10 of 139![Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb (7) falls into the]()
11 of 139![Tennessee linebacker Daniel Bituli (35) takes down]()
12 of 139![Vanderbilt corner back Joejuan Williams (8) during]()
13 of 139![Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) runs the]()
14 of 139![Tennessee linebacker Elliott Berry (41) takes down]()
15 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Shaq Wiggins (6) pumps up]()
16 of 139![Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason hugs Vanderbilt quarterback]()
17 of 139![Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason raises his hand towards]()
18 of 139![At center Vanderbilt corner back Joejuan Williams (8)]()
19 of 139![Tennessee Interim Head Coach Brady Hoke hugs Vanderbilt]()
20 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Micah Abernathy (22) runs]()
21 of 139![Fans watch as Tennessee falls further behind Vanderbilt]()
22 of 139![Fans watch as Tennessee falls further behind Vanderbilt]()
23 of 139![A humorous photo of Peyton Manning sits on the sidelines]()
24 of 139![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) hands]()
25 of 139![Tennessee wide receiver Brandon Johnson (7) makes a]()
26 of 139![Tennessee players and Vanderbilt players pile on each]()
27 of 139![Vanderbilt wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb (16) runs]()
28 of 139![Tennessee defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo (1) raises]()
29 of 139![Vanderbilt wide receiver C.J. Duncan (19) runs the]()
30 of 139![Tennessee linebacker Daniel Bituli (35) reacts to a]()
31 of 139![Tennessee players take down Vanderbilt running back]()
32 of 139![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) passes]()
33 of 139![Vanderbilt safety LaDarius Wiley (5) and Vanderbilt]()
34 of 139![Tennessee wide receiver Brandon Johnson (7) catches]()
35 of 139![A Tennessee fan waves pom poms during a game between]()
36 of 139![Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb (7) runs the ball]()
37 of 139![Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) hands the]()
38 of 139![Vanderbilt linebacker Jordan Griffin (40) celebrates]()
39 of 139![Vanderbilt running back Baffour Osei (40) celebrates]()
40 of 139![A Vanderbilt fan watches the game during a game between]()
41 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Nigel Warrior (18) hugs Tennessee]()
42 of 139![Vanderbilt wide receiver Caleb Scott (9) misses a pass]()
43 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Justin Martin (8) keeps his]()
44 of 139![Vanderbilt wide receiver C.J. Duncan (19) catches the]()
45 of 139![Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason during second quarter]()
46 of 139![Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb (7) jumps over the]()
47 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Micah Abernathy (22) walks]()
48 of 139![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) walks]()
49 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Marquill Osborne (3) during]()
50 of 139![Tennessee Interim Head Coach Brady Hoke walks along]()
51 of 139![Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) during second]()
52 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden (7) takes]()
53 of 139![Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) throws a pass]()
54 of 139![Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb (7) runs the ball]()
55 of 139![Vanderbilt wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb (16) celebrates]()
56 of 139![Vanderbilt linebacker Dimitri Moore (7) runs the ball]()
57 of 139![Tennessee Interim Head Coach Brady Hoke and Tennessee]()
58 of 139![Vanderbilt wide receiver Kalija Lipscomb (16) celebrates]()
59 of 139![Tennessee running back John Kelly (4) runs the ball]()
60 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Justin Martin (8) Tennessee]()
61 of 139![The Vanderbilt marching band cheers in the stands during]()
62 of 139![Tennessee running back John Kelly (4) makes a touchdown]()
63 of 139![Tennessee defensive lineman Kivon Bennett (95) speaks]()
64 of 139![Tennessee linebacker Elliott Berry (41) takes down]()
65 of 139![Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) throws the]()
66 of 139![Tennessee running back John Kelly (4) celebrates a]()
67 of 139![Tennessee running back John Kelly (4) makes a touchdown]()
68 of 139![Tennessee wide receiver Brandon Johnson (7) makes a]()
69 of 139![Tennessee wide receiver Brandon Johnson (7) makes a]()
70 of 139![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) throws]()
71 of 139![Tennessee Interim Head Coach Brady Hoke yells to players]()
72 of 139![Vanderbilt wide receiver C.J. Duncan (19) makes a touchdown]()
73 of 139![Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb (7) attempts to]()
74 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Nigel Warrior (18) walks on]()
75 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Justin Martin (8) Tennessee]()
76 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden (7) takes]()
77 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden (7) takes]()
78 of 139![Tennessee Interim Head Coach Brady Hoke yells to players]()
79 of 139![Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) throws the]()
80 of 139![Tennessee wide receiver Jeff George (19) celebrates]()
81 of 139![Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) celebrates]()
82 of 139![Tennessee tight end Ethan Wolf (82) celebrates a play]()
83 of 139![Tennessee tight end Ethan Wolf (82) is tackled by Vanderbilt]()
84 of 139![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) looks]()
85 of 139![Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (3) is tackled by]()
86 of 139![Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (3) looks out for]()
87 of 139![Tennessee running back John Kelly (4) runs with the]()
88 of 139![Vanderbilt running back Ralph Webb (7) gets tackled]()
89 of 139!["Voice of the Vols" John Ward is recognized on the]()
90 of 139![Vanderbilt wide receiver Trent Sherfield (10) runs]()
91 of 139![Vanderbilt defensive lineman Jalen Pinkney (44) looks]()
92 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden (7) takes]()
93 of 139![Vanderbilt tight end Nathan Marcus (83) is blocked]()
94 of 139![Vanderbilt wide receiver C.J. Duncan (19) celebrates]()
95 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Emmanuel Moseley (12) takes]()
96 of 139![Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason yells to an official]()
97 of 139![`Smokey howls during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt]()
98 of 139![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) looks]()
99 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Micah Abernathy (22) gets]()
100 of 139![Vanderbilt wide receiver C.J. Duncan (19) celebrates]()
101 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Rashaan Gaulden (7) takes]()
102 of 139![Vanderbilt wide receiver C.J. Duncan (19) dives into]()
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104 of 139![Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) looks to pass]()
105 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Emmanuel Moseley (12) takes]()
106 of 139![Vanderbilt coaching staff stand on the sidelines during]()
107 of 139![Tennessee running back Ty Chandler (3) makes his way]()
108 of 139![Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason yells to the field]()
109 of 139![Tennessee fans cheer during a game between Tennessee]()
110 of 139![Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) makes]()
111 of 139![Vanderbilt quarterback Kyle Shurmur (14) celebrates]()
112 of 139![Vanderbilt Head Coach Derek Mason looks towards the]()
113 of 139![Tennessee quarterback Jarrett Guarantano (2) dives]()
114 of 139![Tennessee running back John Kelly (4) makes his way]()
115 of 139![Tennessee wide receiver Marquez Callaway (1) makes]()
116 of 139![Vanderbilt running back Khari Blasingame (23) warms]()
117 of 139![Tennessee linebacker Elliott Berry (41) is welcomed]()
118 of 139![Tennessee linebacker Cortez McDowell (20) hugs Tennessee]()
119 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Shaq Wiggins (6) wipes his]()
120 of 139![Tennessee defensive back Nigel Warrior (18) warms]()
121 of 139![Tennessee fans wait for a game between Tennessee and]()
122 of 139![A Tennessee fan watches the teams warm up during a]()
123 of 139![A young Tennessee fan hopes to catch the ball before]()
124 of 139![A Vanderbilt assistant watches players before a game]()
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126 of 139![Vols warm up during a game between Tennessee and Vanderbilt]()
127 of 139![Vanderbilt fans wait for a game to begin before a game]()
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129 of 139![Fans find their seats during a game between Tennessee]()
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131 of 139![The moon rises behind the scoreboard during a game]()
132 of 139![Vanderbilt players kneel before a game between Tennessee]()
133 of 139![A Vanderbilt assistant yells to players before a game]()
134 of 139![The Vanderbilt marching band sets up before a game]()
135 of 139![A fan looks for their seat during a game between Tennessee]()
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137 of 139![Fans find their seats during a game between Tennessee]()
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Twenty-two players were recognized before their final game. Offensive lineman Jack Jones was a junior. His career ended in October because of reoccurring neck and shoulder injuries. He was among the six players who were unable to play their final game because of injury.
Redshirt senior Brett Kendrick returned after missing the past three games (concussion) to try to help UT's undermanned offensive line.
Those who played couldn't prevent two ignominious firsts by Tennessee (4-8, 0-8 SEC). It was the first time in program history that the Vols suffered eight losses in a season and the first time they went winless in SEC play.
More:Vols lose eight games for first time in program history
More: Next Vols coach's first goal should be to beat Vanderbilt
"We're sad," senior linebacker Colton Jumper said. "We know we gave it our all. You hate to come up with a loss, especially in your last game against your rival."
Vanderbilt (5-7, 1-7) ravaged Jumper and UT's defense for 529 yards of total offense. Commodores quarterback Kyle Shurmur threw for 283 yards and four touchdowns.
The best defense arguably was played afterward when UT event management director Bill Whitesell stepped up to help prevent two Vanderbilt players from planting the Commodores' anchor down flag at midfield.
During postgame interviews, Hoke was asked about redshirt senior Kendal Vickers, who concluded his career with a 38th consecutive start, and spoke of the defensive tackle's toughness. Hoke describing Vickers as "one of the special kids that has played football at the University of Tennessee."
"A year ago, he played with a labrum (injury) where other guys would've tapped out," Hoke said. "He's been a really good leader in the locker room, in the meeting rooms. I know this team respects the heck out of him."
Best and worst: Marquez Callaway's TD, Aaron Medley's field goal and third-down music
The respect apparently goes both ways. Vickers referenced the relationships he had forged with his teammates.
"A lot of those guys are going to be in my wedding," he said.
For those who will be returning, Vickers offered some advice for adjusting to a new head coach.
"What I want to see, whoever is going to be the coach, is for the players to buy in," he said.
Vickers quickly added: "Not saying our players weren't buying in."
Vickers then concluded: "As long as they buy in to what the coaches are preaching, what they're position coaches are preaching, they're going to be OK."
The Vols have closed the season without a SEC win and with the most losses in program history as they lose to Vanderbilt 24-42. Wochit
Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams recap Tennessee's 42-24 loss to Vanderbilt. Phil Kaplan/News Sentinel
Tennessee interim coach Brady Hoke meets with the media after the Vols dropped to Vanderbilt
Tennessee's Jarrett Guarantano and Trey Smith talk the future of Volunteer football Mike Wilson/News Sentinel
The Vols walk into Neyland Stadium before the Vandy game in Knoxville, Tenn. Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017.
Tennessee players impersonate -- or decline to impersonate -- interim head coach Brady Hoke Mike Wilson and Blake Toppmeyer/News Sentinel
Tennessee wide receiver Brandon Johnson talks coaching search, Vanderbilt Mike Wilson/News Sentinel
Tennessee safety Micah Abernathy preview the Vols' game against Vanderbilt Mike Wilson/News Sentinel
Tennessee defensive tackle Kendal Vickers talks senior day Mike Wilson/News Sentinel
Tennessee senior tight end Ethan Wolf previews facing Vanderbilt Mike Wilson/News Sentinel
UT Vols interim coach Brady Hoke holds a press conference to discuss the 30-10 loss to LSU and look ahead to Vanderbilt. Phil Kaplan/News Sentinel
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