The Tennessee Volunteers are proving just how quickly a traditional powerhouse can rebound despite seeming lost for well over a decade.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tennessee, the SEC team in this year's TaxSlayer Bowl, is just happy to be playing anywhere in January. TaxSlayer Bowl coaches: Vols' Butch Jones, Hawkeyes' Ken FerentzWhile the January 2 matchup in will be Ferentz's 12th bowl game in 16 years, the Volunteers will be playing in their first preseason game since 2010. Both coaches said they called emergency team meetings Sunday night to tell the players they would be playing in a January bowl game in Florida. Coaches, game officials and Mayor Brown with TaxSlayer Bowl trophyThis the Volunteer's sixth visit to the Gator Bowl; last in 1994 with a win over Virginia Tech in a game played at Florida Field as Jacksonville's stadium was being overhauled into an NFL stadium. In addition to meeting TaxSlayer Bowl officials and sponsors Thursday, the two coaches were presented keys to the city by Mayor Alvin Brown.