11:30 ET Press Conference Thread

#51
#51
Reporter: "The Battle of Bristol is basically sold out. Why so important to push this opportunity?"

Hart: "Some of it was driven by what I said earlier, we need to be in that market place. From a recruiting standpoint, Butch has done a marvelous job of using this: you're going to play in a game that will have the largest audience of any football game ever, at any level. To have that special opportunity to play in that unique environment. ... Except for the one end zone, the sight lines are not that bad at all, I think it will be a very enjoyable environment for our fans. [went on to talk about a couple of students delaying their graduation just so they can make that game]"
 
#52
#52
Hart: "I'm a big proponent of keeping the permanent [cross-division] partners [read: Bama]. ... I think we should go to 9 [SEC] games."
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#53
#53
Hart: [on coaching vacancies and this year's coaching carousel] "It's hard to pick a new head coach. It's not something you want to do frequently. Unless you're on the inside understanding the impact, in so many arenas, it's a very very difficult, complex process. ... I know the fans throw out all these names, everybody short of Knute Rockne is mentioned, but you have to throw out what's not realistic. And I'm a big believer in 'fit.' A lot of coaches who won't succeed after a reasonable period of time, they just weren't good fits, not necessarily bad coaches. We have a good fit here, in Butch. "
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
#55
#55
CBJ: "You're always evolving...you're constantly evolving, getting better. One of the big things you have to do is step back and review your program, A to Z, and that's what I'm starting to do right now. We'll review everything in our program and figure out how to get better."

CBJ: "Four stages in building a program. First is culture: no compromising what you stand for. Next is learning to be Competitive. Third is Winning. And Fourth is how do you handle winning -- everyone bringing their A game against you, and your mindset."
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
#57
#57
CBJ: [re: Sutton & JRM] "We'll have ongoing discussions. No timetable. Whenever they feel comfortable [with their decisions]. It's all about educating individuals about making great decisions."
 
#58
#58
CBJ: [re: Richt resignation] "The expectations are very very high, week in and week out, separates the SEC from every other conference. ... I have tremendous respect for CMR both as a coach and a human being. ... Our whole reputations are built on 12 opportunities a year. ... I am concerned, the path we're heading down right now."
 
#59
#59
CBJ: [re evaluating coaching staff] "It starts with me [evaluating myself]. I have set criteria that we use for every coach, a number of factors. How can we continue to move this program forward. Right now, time is minimal, but when I hop on a plane for a recruiting trip, I'm working on it, always using spaces of time to work on it."
 
#60
#60
CBJ: [on whether he'd consider other HC jobs] "I've stated it very clearly: Tennessee is the place I want to be. ... I'm a big believer in loyalty. ... This is home to me, and home to my family."
 
  • Like
Reactions: 5 people
#61
#61
VFL-82-JP said:
Hart: "It's been a long time, we tend to forget these things, but it's been a long time since we went an entire football season and were competitive all the way through every game."
Click to expand...
The bar for all of us is beat Bama. Saban has set the bar for all SEC teams. Dont win after several years you should be fired. I'd say CBJ has got to do it next year or his stock takes a nose dive just like Ritch and Miles.
 
#63
#63
CBJ: [on the transfer rules as they've evolved] "It's gotten to where you also have to recruit your current team. ... We'll sit down with anyone, help map out their options. But it's a reality, every coach has to deal with it."
 
#64
#64
CBJ [on injuries and the bowl]: "Right now there's really no one ruled out. Fully anticipate Marquez North playing. On Curt Maggitt, still don't know yet."
 
#65
#65
MFL said:
The bar for all of us is beat Bama. Saban has set the bar for all SEC teams. Dont win after several years you should be fired. I'd say CBJ has got to do it next year or his stock takes a nose dive just like Ritch and Miles.
Click to expand...

What would you, as HC, have done/called differently, to have won this year's AL game??
 
#66
#66
CBJ [on bowl opponents and prep]: "Graduate assistants are doing their research now, trying to narrow down our opponents and scope them out. But the first few practices are really about us. I'm just excited for our seniors and this loyal fan base. We're top 5 all time in bowl appearances, and we fully expect to be playing in big-time bowls every year."
 
#68
#68
CBJ [on Croom's knee]: "You're at the mercy of the human body. Difficult surgery, he had some setbacks in it healing, but he's making great progress. He will not play in the bowl game, but we're hoping he is able to participate in some bowl prep. He's doing everything he can."
 
#69
#69
CBJ: [on Curt and a possible 6th year] "It's always an option, there isn't a time frame or time limit or expiration date. It's really what aligns for Curt. He's done some amazing things here, already graduated, he's embedded in our community. Being at Tennessee means a lot to Curt, so this is a very challenging decision for him. Obviously we'd be delighted to have him here. Those are discussions we're having all the time."
 
#70
#70
VFL-82-JP said:
CBJ [on Croom's knee]: "You're at the mercy of the human body. Difficult surgery, he had some setbacks in it healing, but he's making great progress. He will not play in the bowl game, but we're hoping he is able to participate in some bowl prep. He's doing everything he can."
Click to expand...

He can't RS can he?
 
#72
#72
END OF PRESS CONFERENCE

And one post script: in spite of me using quotation marks, those are NOT verbatim notes. I was trying hard to keep up while grabbing the most significant key points CBJ made. Dude talks fast, I caught less than a third of it all. So take it all as paraphrased, not verbatim.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
New posts
You must log in or register to reply here.
Advertisement





Back
Top