Recruiting Forum Football Talk XXXI

[LynxVol]

2. Any other news related to the OC search? Weinke trending?

Brice:

2. Have spoken to UT people and people very close to Weinke, who told me the following today, "Chris felt he clicked with the staff very well ... was happy to be there (for the opportunity)."

- 247

 

[LynxVol]

5. Quality control coach names if Walt Wells gets promoted?

Brice:

5. I expect to have a better idea on QC coach names by midweek, since the coaches' convention is coming up this weekend in Nashville and runs into early next week. That's where a ton of the QC/GA/Intern types of jobs get settled.

- 247

 

[MrVolton]

Parker was discussed last week on here. I had done a little research, and they helped UT with the hires of Hart, Dooley, Martin, and a couple of baseball coaches. They have gotten some criticism the last few years, with one being that they have conflicts of interest when they recommend a hire, who turns around and uses them again. I wonder if Davenport wants to go with someone else because Parker hired her.

I also stated last week that Parker is filled with UGA alums who happened to help Hamilton hire Dooley.

Makes me feel a little better about the move then.

 

[VolGee4]

Apparently you don't know where I fall then. I for one still believe Butch can win at a high level but he has to make the right hires and decisions. The safe decision isn't always the right decision and can set you back. The safe decision to hire Debord has now set us back to square one two years later. The safe decision to not allow Shoop to bring his own coaches on because you didn't want too much turnover backfired and we are back to square one. The safe decision to simply promote the assistant SC backfired and here we are with a new SC and half our players injured last year.

Butch has the potential of he would learn from his mistakes and understand his strengths and weaknesses. Let go and let your guys so their thing and just be the dang CEO.

So basically in a year I went from full Butch to riding the fence pending what he does this offseason and next year

I have no idea what any of that has to do with you calling the Haskew info a bunch of garbage. You or I have no idea. But, you have gotten to the point where anything that is suggested from Butch Jones cannot be liked or truthful. So be it. But, I have no doubt that a powerless AD is causing some problems for him.

 

[LynxVol]

Can you just quickly discuss when coaching changes will be taking place? I know you said a couple wouldn't be until after NSD, but I think many of us would like to see some of them done sooner rather than later to see if they can go out and get a couple more "big fish" as you had discussed before.

Brice:

If I said not until after NSD, I probably misspoke a bit. I think coaching staff changes could come sooner than that; I just think there's a desire to let guys (midtermers) and others (returning players) get back to campus, settled in and back to classes without any additional drastic changes. I know CBJ 100% has pondered not making all moves until after NSD, but I just strongly believe it's needed before then. Plus, it's not a secret that some Vols' coaches who feel they're in danger are already making some calls --- and likely to make even more this coming week at the Coaches' Convention.

That's why i think a guy like Brady Hoke could help land a big fish, as I alluded to. Maybe I'm an idiot, but to me, you have Hoke in place by next weekend and host Ray, doesn't that HAVE to help? I mean, you tell a kid this guy was HC at Michigan, DC at Oregon and now he's coming here to coach you? HE's helped all these guys be recruited to Michigan and XXX are considered potential NFL Draft Picks? Plus (if they can keep Strip in a Chief of Staff role), you sell Hoke and Strip, who's about to see Derek Barnett almost certainly a first-round NFL Draft Pick? Not to mention all the other dudes Strip has in the league? That's why i say those guys can help with some big fish.

- 247

 

[LynxVol]

Assuming no future serious injuries/reinjuries to these players, how much do you think these guys can contribute on the D-Line next season?:

Austin Smith

Mykelle McDaniel

Andrew Butcher

Alexis Johnson

Shy Tuttle

Quay Picou

Thanks so much!

Brice:

Fully expect Austin Smith to have a chance to play a lot.

McDaniel has been suspended since early- to mid-December, and coaches said they left the door open for him to return. Hard for me to answer that question with McDaniel having been gone from the program for nearly a month now. If he returns and commits, he does have a nice talent set. Wouldn't expect him to be a dramatic impact player on defense but could be a teams helper and spot player on defense.

Butcher just had surgery recently, and b/c I've known him since early in his recruitment plus think the world of that family, I'm worried about him getting back. Dude dominated good HS ball and now just cannot catch a break.

Johnson should have a major role on the defense. Long as he stays healthy and clear of trouble, should challenge for a starting spot and be no worse than in the interior two-deep.

Tuttle faces an incredibly, incredibly long road of rehab and recovery. He's a guy who needs football a lot in his life, so he will give his rehab everything he's got.

Picou has been a modestly pleasant surprise. Still has to get bigger and stronger. Would expect him to potentially start on some special teams and be able to lend a hand along the D-line.

- 247

 

[BigZiti09]

Not saying that you agree, but your last paragraph shows the kind of business they are in. Just like a good AD always has a list of potential coaching candidates, a coach is always looking at other options if he needs a change.

Well you better get the job. Nothing like getting caught stepping out on your employer and then having to come crawling back home.

Cuonzo Martin did that and was gonna get fired a year later if Cal hadn't rescued him.

Sonny Dykes did it and it got him axed.

Butch Jones hasn't interviewed but I think he was actively looking before he dropped those last two games and still looked around after limping to the finish line of the season. He may regret that one day.

 

[VolsnCards5]

I really wish they would say what Tuttle's injury is.

 

[WallyBalls]

Is it wrong that I imagine that every time you post, I imagine that you are on the verge of a massive panic attack?

Someone made the suggestion about you being the former VolLady poster we had. Sorry.

I do the same thing.

 

[LynxVol]

Something not many of us have talked about.

How big of a loss is bob welton?

How big of a priority compared to other coaches is he to replace?

And any names there?

I know he tech hasn't left yet and won't until national signing day but my understanding is he is in line for an NFL job. That's why I ask

Brice:

Welton would be potentially a big loss, depending upon where UT chose to go with his spot if he leaves for an NFL front office job, as has been indicated to me both last week and this week as a possibility. Believe I addressed his possible exit in the team chat on Weds. Absolutely fair question.

UT could upgrade. Go get Austin Thomas away from LSU. He's turned down NFL jobs, his dad remains an icon in the Nashville/MidState area and is a former BOT member --- maybe president of the BOT. He knows Tennessee, already recruits TN (since LSU isn't at full staff) and has been named national personnel director of the year. Oh, he's a UT grad who simply loves the Vols.

- 247

 

[VolGee4]

Well you better get the job. Nothing like getting caught stepping out on your employer and then having to come crawling back home.

Cuonzo Martin did that and was gonna get fired a year later if Cal hadn't rescued him.

Sonny Dykes did it and it got him axed.

Butch Jones hasn't interviewed but I think he was actively looking before he dropped those last two games and still looked around after limping to the finish line of the season. He may regret that one day.

It's why you have an agent. And for the people asking why he would ask for a raise...it's why you have an agent. They get paid real money.

I very seriously doubt that Butch Jones took any active steps to take another job, but you have representation that helps with the feelers. If you expect AD's to put out feelers behind coaches' backs, then coaches will reciprocate. You know Cal reached out to people before officially firing Dykes.

 

[BigZiti09]

It's why you have an agent. And for the people asking why he would ask for a raise...it's why you have an agent. They get paid real money.

I very seriously doubt that Butch Jones took any active steps to take another job, but you have representation that helps with the feelers. If you expect AD's to put out feelers behind coaches' backs, then coaches will reciprocate. You know Cal reached out to people before officially firing Dykes.

Coaches can't fire Athletic Departments though.

 

[volinbama256]

With Butch sucking it up in the final stretch of the regular season, recruiting took a huge hit, which was pretty obvious... (didn't help that folks and instate recruits were negatively recruiting against us) Its looking like all the talk and rumors about Butch's instability here have sucked the air out of the final couple of months before signing day and the Admin playing grab ass with search firms for a new AD is the cherry on top... this class has a few bright spots, but overall is very underwhelming based on Butch's recruiting and closing track record and where this program seems to be headed, which is back down to mediocracy in the SEC... We have some pretty good young talent, but I don't think we have in place what it will take to push for the East anytime soon at this rate... We still have depth/talent issues at several key positions, even in year 4. Folks on here debating on Dormady and JG, when that won't really matter if our secondary doesn't get an overhaul... With the same secondary in place and a QB that is not mobile, it is going to be a tough season to watch next year.... just when momentum and things started to trend up too.... I see that we are in for several really good kids for '18, and that will be our only hope to start the trend back upward.... Here's hoping we can finalize a good AD, get some good reputable assistants that can recruit their tails off, and finally maximize and develop the talent we currently have on the roster. GBO

 

[Catbone]

Sounds like Beverly Davenport has been a home run so far

 

[VolGee4]

Coaches can't fire Athletic Departments though.

I really don't know what that has to do with it. There are many employees around the country who are comfortable in their job but always keeping tabs and putting out feelers for other positions. Some, at an executive level, retain job hunters who act like agents. Sure, they may not "interview," but they are still "looking."

 

[BigZiti09]

I really don't know what that has to do with it. There are many employees around the country who are comfortable in their job but always keeping tabs and putting out feelers for other positions. Some, at an executive level, retain job hunters who act like agents. Sure, they may not "interview," but they are still "looking."

Not sure why you are downplaying this. Cal just fired their coach for doing the very same thing.

Do I understand why they do it? Yeah. But it still has potential consequences.

Doing something like that can potentially poison the well so to speak.

 

[Bassmaster_Vol]

Well... this is a good look

 

[VolGee4]

Not sure why you are downplaying this. Cal just fired their coach for doing the very same thing.

Do I understand why they do it? Yeah. But it still has potential consequences.

Doing something like that can potentially poison the well so to speak.

Sure, it could hurt. But Butch has leverage over the school in the amount of $8 million.

Whether or not these things get reported or not or if you even believe them, this kind of stuff happens all of the time.

 

[jspvol76]

Unfortunately my prediction is as follows.

Bama - 31
Clemson - 17

 

[drvenner]

I am pulling for Clemson, for sure. It will be very tough for them to win, but I am still going with the upset


Clemson 34

Bama 26

 

[Catbone]

37-27 Bama

 

[Chuckie]

Neither team has faced a defense as tough as the one they'll face tonight. Gotta think that favors Clempson's senior QB versus the CCCP's freshman QB.

 

[Bassmaster_Vol]

Hopefully 34-31 Clemson

 

[LynxVol]

I am pulling for Clemson, for sure. It will be very tough for them to win, but I am still going with the upset


Clemson 34

Bama 26

Clemson scoring 34 on Bama's defense would be a really tough task. It's only happened once all year, and it was to Ole Miss (scored 43), which was very early in the season and before all of their injuries occurred. I think that game and the Arkansas game were the only 2 games all year where they allowed 4 TDs in a game.

This is a NC game, so I expect it to be tighter.

 

[WallyBalls]

Well... this is a good look

Meh. Its Bartoo.

If the offense had looked like absolute beyond repair trash for 2 years I might agree a little more. For me, he's earned a little bit of room to do what he sees fit rather than just chasing a "name".