Butch Jones would welcome Peyton Manning back to Tennessee

Tennessee coach Butch Jones isn't rushing to shut down rumors of Peyton Manning's interest in returning to his alma mater as a coach.

"We talk all the time and I think anything Peyton Manning does, he'll be successful," Jones told Ryan Callahan of 247 Sports on Wednesday. "But coaching is a completely different animal than playing, as any great player would tell you.

"But, again, I welcome him any time he wants to come in to Tennessee and spend time with our players. He's been great that way. He's been very willing to do that. We've been very fortunate and blessed to have him be a part of our teams, coming in and speaking to (them), and this year will be the same."

The report alleging Manning's interest didn't specify what type of position the future Hall of Fame quarterback would want.

Since retiring from the NFL earlier this year, Manning has kept his plans for the future hidden. Last season, he spent his bye week on the Tennessee sidelines, rooting for the school he played at from 1994-1997.