TUSCALOOSA, AL - OCTOBER 21: Head coach Butch Jones of the Tennessee Volunteers reacts to the officials during the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium on October 21, 2017 in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

Butch Jones reportedly declined an offer after being handed his pink slip by Tennessee

Should he have taken the offer?

The Butch Jones era at Tennessee is reportedly over, according to FOX Sports' Bruce Feldman. Jones reportedly informed his staff that he's no longer the Vols' head coach early Sunday morning.

However, WNML's Jimmy Hyams reported that Jones declined the opportunity to coach Tennessee's last two games, according to a source.

SEC Country reported that Jones didn't plan on resigning as the Vols' head coach following a meeting with athletic director John Currie last month.

The coach also claimed that he believes Currie will "absolutely" support him through the remainder of the season during his postgame press conference following the Vols' loss to Kentucky two weeks ago.

In September, ESPN's Darren Rovell reported that Jones' buyout was worth $9.2 million.

While that may have led the Vols to prolong their coaching decision, it's interesting that Jones opted not to coach in his final two games. Somehow the large buyout price has to play a factor into his decision, but who knows?

Brady Hoke will serve as the interim head coach for Tennessee's final games.