Sam Pittman OLine Coach -- Opinions Please

[Bassmanbruno]

Pittman isn't an upgrade over Hiestand - probably a wash - but the running game should be improved with the guys getting older and the RBs getting an actual coach. Pittman fielded very underwhelming running attacks at UNC playing against much worse defenses in the ACC so its hard for me to be excited about replacing Hiestand with him.

[UTCVol]

Upgrade over Hiestand.

[sjt18]

Hiestand was a massive disappointment. His resume suggested he would be very good.

Pittman has a decent resume. We will see if he can coach.

Supposedly Hiestand had difficulty relating to UT's players. If Pittman just has that going for him it should lead to better results.

[majic73]

Originally Posted by Vol2424

I really think it's a wait and see situation , just like all the other stuff being talked about. Maybe someone can tell you better than me. I have no info. Just hope he is better than Hiestand.

I have never been certain that Hiestand was bad. What was bad was the sprint draw scheme they employeed where they asked the O line to appear to pass block on running plays...to fool defenses. The sprints , and smokes, and general draw schemes have some merit on individual plays , but you cannot make a living off it in the SEC .

Regardless of if they employ man , zone , or a combo of both ...they need a true to form power running game. The spring draw concept will make whatever Oline coach look bad in the SEC. What worked 15 years ago in the Big 10 will not work in this league.

[DelGriffith]

Originally Posted by Vols4us

Soon after the time he was announced as coach there was a link on one of the VN threads to a post-NSD review of all UNC's 2010 signees; that had a portion of it dedicated to Coach Pitt and his video analysis of what each OL signee had for strengths. If he coaches as good as he explains it there will be significant improvement. He used zone blocking. He likes recruiting players that have intelligence and have received some good coaching on technique before he gets them, unless they are a superstar in the making anyway. He feels he can accelerate their understanding if they have a good basis of understanding the role before they hit campus. He mentioned they needed quick feet, good leverage, and strong arms/hands as I recall. He acknowledged that only a few had everything he was looking for Day 1 - that he still wanted to see they had the ability to pick up the stuff they were weak on.

Could explain why he went after the 3 we have committed already. Especially since they will likely RS.

Think Coach Pittman will be an upgrade not a wash.

Posted this link in one of the recruiting forum posts - think this is what you are talking about Vols4us.

Wish Tennessee did something like this instead of the camera pointed at commit list board thing on signing day.

Coach Pittman's parts are at about the 48:00 and 2:39:00 segments.

Link

[Vol2424]

Originally Posted by majic73

I have never been certain that Hiestand was bad. What was bad was the sprint draw scheme they employeed where they asked the O line to appear to pass block on running plays...to fool defenses. The sprints , and smokes, and general draw schemes have some merit on individual plays , but you cannot make a living off it in the SEC .

Regardless of if they employ man , zone , or a combo of both ...they need a true to form power running game. The spring draw concept will make whatever Oline coach look bad in the SEC. What worked 15 years ago in the Big 10 will not work in this league.

I think he had pass blocking down. I know Bray has a quick release , but they did pretty well considering how young they were. I don't think he was horrible , but I do hope we see a major improvement in the run game with Pittman. Hope doesn't mean I believe he will be better. Honestly , I don't know and won't until we see them playing.

It was like we didn't even have a run game planned. The goal was to pass to open up the run. That seems to be the opposite way things are done in this conference. When Hunter went down , we had no backup plan. That is not just a shot a Hiestand. It really is one at the entire offensive staff. It was the same stuff. Trying to trick people and not getting anything on the ground. To me there were no zone schemes like we saw back in 2009.

Now Hiestand's system worked for him in 2010 because we were pretty healthy on offense. That said , it was mostly the same type of plays we saw last year. The only difference was the passing threat that gave us a chance to run the ball.

One thing is certain , they better have a backup plan this year incase anything happens. I never understood why we didn't even try to change because things weren't working. I wonder how different that season looks with Hunter healthy , but the fact is he wasn't. I really expect to see something different this year.

[orangebloodgmc]

Originally Posted by VolFromNashville

I hope so. I just want to see UT play some power football and be confident running on 3rd and 2 for the 1st down. We'll find out this season though.

This.

[Big Ugly Vol]

I don't know what on earth happened to our line last year. I'm not saying he was blameless but Poole got wrapped up at the line after we got beat one on one so many times. Sam seems to have more fire than Harry and I liked the way he was doing things at the o-line clinic better than Harry. We've gotta be better this year.

[BeecherVol]

Id bump this thread after the UF game. Til then the answer is a clouded guess. IMO

[VOLINVONORE]

Originally Posted by WiseOlVol

UT's starting OLine has 105 starts, which is 3rd in FBS. And they're massive.

Does Coach Sam have the skills to get these guys to dominate?

Or was he just the best OLine coach available?

Unless one has been a UNC fan for the past few years, I doubt that many of us have studied him enough to have formed a worthwhile opinion of his capabilities. Maybe we can have a pretty good idea by the end of the bowl season.

[jasonvol18]

He has the reputation as a good OL coach. We definitely have had better pass blocking so far under DD, but i think our guys will be very good this year and hopefully Lane steps up and overcomes the fear of his knee. Or just somebody at RB needs to step up. But Lane is the most complete RB we have and can be a beast for us. Neal could be too but scares me to death every time he gets the ball. Never know when hes going to put it on the ground. Im also excited to see the FR Rbs and also Pig at RB. Really excited to see what Bourque can do. He has the potentisl to be a good RB. I mean if LSU wanted him with their RB track record then there is definitely potential in him.

[supersmo18]

Originally Posted by WiseOlVol

-------------------------------

Oh, I read his Bio.

Looking for inside dope.

You know why donkeys don't go to school? Nobody like a smart a**

Don't worry about him. He just got out of his freshman year. Still establishing male dominance.

[volroadwarrior]

Originally Posted by VolBalla2014

is it mandatory to not know how to use google to post in the football forum?

Snarky.

[dgcarter43]

It was hard to understand how the OL could do a pretty good job pass blocking yet do so poorly run blocking. Only time will tell, but, surely Sam P will be and improvement in that area.

[WoodsmanVol]

Said it last summer, say it again. If the UT program was serious about developing OL and other players, they would have a program where they visit in-state schools or invite coaches of better talent producing ones (and maybe players of interest) to sit in techniques and other developmental sessions. This shows the UT is serious about keeping its in-state talent, interested in the Tennessee schools' football programs, and can work with high school coaches to develop players. Yeah, we have camps but this is more personal, and school specific.

In addition they may want to have a micro team of people who teach things like the Passport to College topics I saw in Riverside, California. Budgeting time for study and recreation, study habits, how to select and be a compatible roommate, and even seeking tutoring for problem classes whether tutored by a person or using the vast WWW resources to self-tutor. Understanding that if you don't take care of academics you don't get to stay in school and play football. This was sort of preventive maintenance. Might mean fewer Nu'Keese, C. Clear, and J. Jacksons.

OK, go ahead and beat me over the head for suggesting this.