Official Jon Gruden Thread XXVI

[Vol-in-Bham]

 

[AMBAVol07]

News has been slow so lurking wasn’t enough. I decided to do a little analysis to understand positions and motivations to try to define alliances and possible outcomes. All is based on my analysis and biases; I do believe information Beaver and ATL Vol provided is credible and I refuse to consider anyone but Gruden as the prospective coach.

Boosters want Control/Natty their Tools are $$/Influence and Actions for them would be to Coalesce and Engage Fan Base.

Chancellor wants Control/Top Tier U with Tools being Management Role for AA & AD actions being adhere to Chain of Command (CoC) and find Win for AA (Funding).

Board of Trustees (BoT) wants Top Tier U/Natty with Tools being Oversight & Spend Plan and Action being Overall Approval.

Athletic Dept (AD) wants Control/Natty with Tools being Prog Structure/Contract and Actions being New Contract and Buyout.

New Coach wants Family Happy, Control, Natty/$$$ with Tools being Skillset, Reputation, and Actions being Negotiation

Current Coach wants Reputation/$$, with Tool being current Contract, and Actions being Negotiation.

Interestingly enough I think the desires are really shared however the priority and primary holder changes based on the actor. The tools to leverage the desires of the actors and the actions taken are where I think we can fit a few of the pieces of information together and possibly speculate on future actions. I also think the outside influences of the concussed player, early signing period, stadium renovations, and fan base do play a role in hastening the final decisions.

Control is key, everyone involved has an ego and believes they should be in control. I’m sure negotiations in this area have been ongoing for months. The Athletic Dept (AD) is forced to receive direction from the Chancellor, new coach will want full control, Boosters have money which typically equates to control or at a minimum strong influence, and BOT has oversight for all. Winner in the control area will be Gruden, he doesn’t come unless he can run the program. Somewhat of a loser in this is Currie, as the Chancellor will continue to force chain-of-command (CoC). I’m sure when Gruden wins a Natty Currie’s ego will get a boost as he will look brilliant as will the Boosters who also have to release some control. I’m not sure who but I think someone has reshaped how the Boosters look at things. However the stadium renovation, getting Gruden, and public opinion when the program hits the top will likely be enough to compensate Booster egos.

Once the control issue is settled the next issue is making UT a top tier academic/research university. I don’t know who came upon the VC idea, possibly the Scarabbeans and/or Boosters. I must say whoever is responsible it is a brilliant solution. I believe the AA will make some changes to accommodate AD needs, but it won’t be a very public change. All needs are met for all parties including the VC team.

Last remaining area is the incoming and outgoing coach. I didn’t see Gruden as possible in 2012 as he was still building his brand, but I believe it will happen now. All his desires will be met not the least of which is his family’s preferences. The outgoing coach’s desires are somewhat more interesting of late given the concussed player, team record, and ire of the fan base. He went from a strong position due to contract obligations to a significantly weak position. I do believe the Chancellor was holding out hope for him, but now all bets are off as the reputation of the University overshadows any allegiance she may have had. He will end up with nothing (fired for cause) or a significantly reduced buyout going quietly to salvage some of his reputation. I believe this will be within the next 4 days. The key for me with this is the Chancellors desire to fully exercise her authority in the CoC and receive “credit” for and AA and AD positive action. She answers to the president and BoT, she will not allow AD to move forward with anything until she provides her brief and gains “credit”. I think this happens today, then the timing of the firing will be based on the BoT, UT lawyers, along with input from key Boosters.

Lastly the hire date for Gruden, this one is a real stretch as there are many things that influence. I’m sure the Chancellor will be standing with the AD when this happens and key boosters will be in the room, I just don’t know timing because ESPN and other Gruden endorsement interests have to be considered. I do think it will be at least a week or more before early signing period.

Let me say I have ZERO inside info, just looking at posts, the Chancellor's duties, and my crystal ball. Apologies for length of post, but this is what happens when all you do is read VolNation.

SOON!

 

[Paukotajs]

Right on queue, the "insiders" start backing out on their Gruden predictions to save face. LOL a sorry bunch truthfully. I feel bad for most of you who got duped.

Who is backing out?

 

[smokeyhuntsgators]

 

[checkthetape]

The majority here are still placing the blame for the dysfunction in the wrong place..

Again, there is a power struggle but it is not amongst donors..

I know.. I know.. The MIT genius knows a guy that knows a guy

 

[kayakonthefly]

Sorry to everyone for not being around much but there has been A LOT going on. This week has been an utter **** show....on so many levels.

Their has been hesitation internally to let butch go early due to the reputation that UT has gotten in that regard externally to the coaching community...however I think the hand may get forced on this one. And when I mean let go I mean publically let go....lets not mix that up. He is gone no doubt about that but the timing thing is really playing havoc on this whole process make no mistake about that.

I was delivered either an incredible smokescreen yesterday or something that tells me there is trouble in paradise on the gruden front (lets say it went along the lines of currie reached out to xyz coach to gauge interest what are your thoughts... I won't name the coach as I don't want to throw gas on that log) . I can't tell which yet but I have been on the phone all morning with one of the larger boosters (in ktown) discussing our wonderful browns owner who literally could screw up anything he gets involved in so that tells me all I need to know on that front. Now take all of that and couple it with the next important piece of info.

I was then informed early today of a meeting that will take place that I am supposed to attend (can't give timeline out) that will be about a very large donation opportunity for some folks in attendance. Now I can't imagine in my right mind that they would approach anyone about a meeting like that unless there was something extremely positive was going to happen.

I think the band is about the start playing...the biggest question will be is it who we want playing or not.

Well you're not using a certain company for facilities, so I'm not going to go along with anything to help the University.

They need to give him his ball and send him home.

There's enough money out there to make up for it. One is not bigger than all.

 

['Boro-vol]

It's not speculation. Hankhill confirmed it.

Ok...cool. I only was aware of them touring it a few weeks back.

 

[TenUhSee]

I think the band is about the start playing...the biggest question will be is it who we want playing or not.

 

[preacherwebb]

We will know tonight. Sit back and enjoy the ride.

not possible at this juncture.
:crazy:
:thud:
but that's just me

 

[MiramarVol]

Sorry to everyone for not being around much but there has been A LOT going on. This week has been an utter **** show....on so many levels.

Their has been hesitation internally to let butch go early due to the reputation that UT has gotten in that regard externally to the coaching community...however I think the hand may get forced on this one. And when I mean let go I mean publically let go....lets not mix that up. He is gone no doubt about that but the timing thing is really playing havoc on this whole process make no mistake about that.

I was delivered either an incredible smokescreen yesterday or something that tells me there is trouble in paradise on the gruden front (lets say it went along the lines of currie reached out to xyz coach to gauge interest what are your thoughts... I won't name the coach as I don't want to throw gas on that log) . I can't tell which yet but I have been on the phone all morning with one of the larger boosters (in ktown) discussing our wonderful browns owner who literally could screw up anything he gets involved in so that tells me all I need to know on that front. Now take all of that and couple it with the next important piece of info.

I was then informed early today of a meeting that will take place that I am supposed to attend (can't give timeline out) that will be about a very large donation opportunity for some folks in attendance. Now I can't imagine in my right mind that they would approach anyone about a meeting like that unless there was something extremely positive was going to happen.

I think the band is about the start playing...the biggest question will be is it who we want playing or not.

:banghead2: Get it over with already!!!!! :banghead2:

 

[OldTimer]

I will say this however its on a much smaller scale, I'm a baseball guy and followed the search as close as I could (Currie was tight lipped), most thought it would be one guy or another however when Coach Vitello was hired it came out of left field. As it turned out Vitello is the real deal and without a doubt he is the right guy for the job!!! Baseball will be relevant again soon.......

 

[coffeevol]

Atlanta Vol Translation= Gruden isn't coming but should still get a good hire

 

[fishing Vol]

From the article:

Neyland Stadium renovation: $340 million project to start in summer 2018

Phase I was originally estimated to cost $106 million but is now estimated at $180 million. The updated plans will include some visual differences, to be presented to the committee Thursday, said Assistant Athletics Director for Media Relations Tom Satkowiak.

The article discusses some of the revisions, such as shifting the order of construction. Apparently the revisions upped the cost of some phases of construction, but resulted in a net savings of about $10mill. from the original plans. I was looking for any hint of involvement of boosters but didn't see any.

This is JMO: If big Jim is controlling Currie, then one could speculate that that he would stand to make lots of money from the expansion. If he already lost the outsourcing money, he dang sure doesn't want to loose more power and control, thus losing more money.
Conclusion: would be that Butch staying longer means Jim makes more money.

That is a must for the AD to move forward towards a better Tennessee Football product...with or without Gruden, IMO.

But, what does it say about the UTAD with the $340M renovation budget for Neyland Stadium? This confuses me. $340M is a serious commitment towards football.

JMO: 340 has nothing to do with football. Outsourcing, expansion, and who knows what else, is entirely about money.

The timing of the fire/hire will show us exactly which group has won the battle. It seems that one group of boosters want football to be elite. The AA want elite education. Whomever has been the boss is apparently only after money and power.

Sorry for the long post. But this stuff is pretty cool.

Once again, I see that being 30 pages behind put my post in an (already been discussed) unimportant spot.

 

[CoachClick]

I swear to God if we end up with Hue Jackson....

 

[CladInOrange]

Who is backing out?

He literally said "I was delivered either an incredible smokescreen yesterday or something that tells me there is trouble in paradise on the gruden front "

 

[butchna]

This next hire IS the most important hire ever for this program. If this season continues on its current trajectory into a losing season, it will be the 7th losing season since 2005. Half of our football seasons! Currie, BD, boosters have to come together on this hire, even if it’s not Gruden, lest we slip into the permanent abyss of college football known as irrelevance.

There’s no such thing. :boredom:

 

[Silky_Johnson]

Who did he reach out to? You can’t say he reached out to a guy and not tell us who.

Jimbo Fisher

 

[FleeceItOut]

You guys treat anyone that is an “insider” like some sort of god.

All I asked is for him to name the coach. It’s really not that big of a deal. I don’t need you slurpers telling me I should “be thankful” for his vague/cryptic information because honestly I don’t care either way.

Only insider I’m here for is the Beav.

 

[1725gatorhater]

I wished Haslam would Go to Cleveland and leave Tennessee! What a dumbass!

 

[LakeMaryFLVol]

Right on queue, the "insiders" start backing out on their Gruden predictions to save face. LOL a sorry bunch truthfully. I feel bad for most of you who got duped.

 

[smittysmitt3434]

Sorry to everyone for not being around much but there has been A LOT going on. This week has been an utter **** show....on so many levels.

Their has been hesitation internally to let butch go early due to the reputation that UT has gotten in that regard externally to the coaching community...however I think the hand may get forced on this one. And when I mean let go I mean publically let go....lets not mix that up. He is gone no doubt about that but the timing thing is really playing havoc on this whole process make no mistake about that.

I was delivered either an incredible smokescreen yesterday or something that tells me there is trouble in paradise on the gruden front (lets say it went along the lines of currie reached out to xyz coach to gauge interest what are your thoughts... I won't name the coach as I don't want to throw gas on that log) . I can't tell which yet but I have been on the phone all morning with one of the larger boosters (in ktown) discussing our wonderful browns owner who literally could screw up anything he gets involved in so that tells me all I need to know on that front. Now take all of that and couple it with the next important piece of info.

I was then informed early today of a meeting that will take place that I am supposed to attend (can't give timeline out) that will be about a very large donation opportunity for some folks in attendance. Now I can't imagine in my right mind that they would approach anyone about a meeting like that unless there was something extremely positive was going to happen.

I think the band is about the start playing...the biggest question will be is it who we want playing or not.

I am not asking you to tell, but I do wonder what caliber of coach they are using for this smokescreen.

 

[BWong15]

Sorry to everyone for not being around much but there has been A LOT going on. This week has been an utter **** show....on so many levels.

Their has been hesitation internally to let butch go early due to the reputation that UT has gotten in that regard externally to the coaching community...however I think the hand may get forced on this one. And when I mean let go I mean publically let go....lets not mix that up. He is gone no doubt about that but the timing thing is really playing havoc on this whole process make no mistake about that.

I was delivered either an incredible smokescreen yesterday or something that tells me there is trouble in paradise on the gruden front (lets say it went along the lines of currie reached out to xyz coach to gauge interest what are your thoughts... I won't name the coach as I don't want to throw gas on that log) . I can't tell which yet but I have been on the phone all morning with one of the larger boosters (in ktown) discussing our wonderful browns owner who literally could screw up anything he gets involved in so that tells me all I need to know on that front. Now take all of that and couple it with the next important piece of info.

I was then informed early today of a meeting that will take place that I am supposed to attend (can't give timeline out) that will be about a very large donation opportunity for some folks in attendance. Now I can't imagine in my right mind that they would approach anyone about a meeting like that unless there was something extremely positive was going to happen.

I think the band is about the start playing...the biggest question will be is it who we want playing or not.

I don't know how to feel.

 

[Dallasbowlin]

You guys treat anyone that is an “insider” like some sort of god.

All I asked is for him to name the coach. It’s really not that big of a deal. I don’t need you slurpers telling me I should “be thankful” for his vague/cryptic information because honestly I don’t care either way.

Only insider I’m here for is the Beav.

If you don’t care, why are you asking for the info? Lol

 

[EastTN]

I wonder if all the Gruden talk is not started by boosters, and the AD to distract what is really going on behind the scenes.

 

[BubbaWms]

It's been a while, but I took his comment as 85% of the boosters were on his side?

sorta, maybe, open for interpretation ?

10-19-2017, 08:44 PM
I am good golfing friends with the people who are putting up about 85% of the Butch buyout money.