KNOXVILLE — Speaking to reporters for the first time since six female plaintiffs filed a federal lawsuit against the University of Tennessee alleging a culture of violence against women, football coach Butch Jones on Saturday denied that such a problem exists within his football program.
"There is no culture problem," Jones said during the Vols' basketball game against LSU. Tennessee's football team was honored at halftime of the game for its win in the Outback Bowl over Northwestern.
The lawsuit accused five Tennessee athletes of sexual assault: former basketball player Yemi Makanjuola, former football players A.J. Johnson, Michael Williams and Riyahd Jones and a current football player named as a "John Doe.