Copy-paste special. Flame away.
Defensive coordinator John Jancek had just started talking about his defensive philosophy when he was interrupted by applause Thursday night at Neyland Stadium.
He had uttered the magic numbers: 4-3.
Tennessee's failed experiment with the 3-4 defense (that is, three down linemen and four linebackers) produced one of the worst defenses in the country in 2012.
Jancek and head coach Butch Jones are returning the Vols to the 4-3.
Perhaps emboldened by the crowd's enthusiasm, Jancek ratcheted up the intensity and the volume.
"We're going to get back to getting after people," Jancek said. "You're going to be proud of the product you come to watch every Saturday."
When Jancek sat down, Jones deadpanned, "He must have had a Five-Hour Energy."
But even Jones, an offensive coach by trade, won big applause from crowds by pitching an improved defense.
"The formula never changes in winning. We will play great defense at Tennessee," he said.
Jones, who is known for his many motivational phrases and techniques, unveiled two new ones to the UT faithful Thursday.
He wants his team and the fans in the stands to celebrate third-down stops with a fist in the air. The fist-up defense, he calls it.
"We want all the fans in Neyland Stadium to raise their fists," he said.
Another one? The 6-3 mentality. Each play lasts roughly four to six seconds, Jones said. He tells his players that in six seconds, he wants three great efforts to make a play.
And when the quarter ends? Expect to see the Vols sprint to the other side of the field.
"Because we're a blue-collar football team and we're telling our opponent we're both physically and mentally strong," Jones said.
