To summarize a logic train whose pieces have been mentioned several times here, just maybe not all together, a train that leads directly to Gruden on Rocky Top:
~ ~ ~
1. Expectation Management. "Don't get your hopes up," every parent has said at some point. Why? Because hopes and dreams grow stronger and more powerful with time. If a dream has to be squashed, better that it be done early. Currie just had a fan barking "Gruden" at him, like a lunatic. Think he's not aware of the destructive potential of the fan base's mood? And yet not a peep from the UT administration about expectation management. No nipping it in the bud, no heading it off at the pass, they seem content to let the excitement grow and uncertainty fester. Would you do that with your children, if you didn't already know that the toy they really want is in the attic waiting to be wrapped, or at the very least that you intend to buy it soon? CONCLUSION: Jon Gruden is still in play. Maybe a done deal, maybe not...but he's in play.
2. Build the Hype: Not only is UT leadership not managing expectations, they are encouraging them. Big, exciting and explosive indeed. We think you are going to be very happy. Who says these kinds of things, unless they are confident of their ability to deliver the goods? CONCLUSION: Jon Gruden is not only in play, he's a lock.
3. Don't do Anything: What? We are in Day 7 of post-Butch Tennessee, and Jon Currie doesn't seem to be doing very much. In fact, he and his 4th floor compatriots seem not to have done much since Thursday. They've basically been sitting on their haunches for the past four days. Why would they be doing that? Isn't an intense hunt for a new coach under way? Didn't Currie say this was going to be his entire focus until we get our guy? And he's...wait, what? He's thinking about spending a day or two in the Bahamas for a basketball tournament? Okay.... CONCLUSION: You only stop working when there's no more work to be done...we got our guy. Some guy. Does it have to be Gruden, though? Yes. See points 1 and 2.
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So that's the logic train. You don't need "insider information" to see that train's path, or its destination. I respect Atlanta Vol and his insights, but you don't need them to reach a clear conclusion that Jon Gruden is a lock. Don't need Beav, don't need Bubba, don't need Tuesday, as much as I appreciate all these fellas. Don't need them.
Only need eyes and logic to see where we're going. Or more accurately, who's coming to Knoxville.
Remember the charts that show various ways people react to stress over time? The basket cases have long ago fled, unable to cope with the long Quiet Period. The freak-outs have recovered, and are now holding steady. It's the fade-out crowd's turn to have doubts, to begin falling apart. Continued stress without relief may be wearing them slowly down, until they lose hope.
Don't join them, and if you are one of them, fight it. Don't fade out on us.
Jon Gruden is coming. Logic proves it, and a press announcement within the next 7-8 days will confirm it. Just hold steady, friends.
To summarize a logic train whose pieces have been mentioned several times here, just maybe not all together, a train that leads directly to Gruden on Rocky Top:
~ ~ ~
1. Expectation Management. "Don't get your hopes up," every parent has said at some point. Why? Because hopes and dreams grow stronger and more powerful with time. If a dream has to be squashed, better that it be done early. Currie just had a fan barking "Gruden" at him, like a lunatic. Think he's not aware of the destructive potential of the fan base's mood? And yet not a peep from the UT administration about expectation management. No nipping it in the bud, no heading it off at the pass, they seem content to let the excitement grow and uncertainty fester. Would you do that with your children, if you didn't already know that the toy they really want is in the attic waiting to be wrapped, or at the very least that you intend to buy it soon? CONCLUSION: Jon Gruden is still in play. Maybe a done deal, maybe not...but he's in play.
2. Build the Hype: Not only is UT leadership not managing expectations, they are encouraging them. Big, exciting and explosive indeed. We think you are going to be very happy. Who says these kinds of things, unless they are confident of their ability to deliver the goods? CONCLUSION: Jon Gruden is not only in play, he's a lock.
3. Don't do Anything: What? We are in Day 7 of post-Butch Tennessee, and Jon Currie doesn't seem to be doing very much. In fact, he and his 4th floor compatriots seem not to have done much since Thursday. They've basically been sitting on their haunches for the past four days. Why would they be doing that? Isn't an intense hunt for a new coach under way? Didn't Currie say this was going to be his entire focus until we get our guy? And he's...wait, what? He's thinking about spending a day or two in the Bahamas for a basketball tournament? Okay.... CONCLUSION: You only stop working when there's no more work to be done...we got our guy. Some guy. Does it have to be Gruden, though? Yes. See points 1 and 2.
~ ~ ~
So that's the logic train. You don't need "insider information" to see that train's path, or its destination. I respect Atlanta Vol and his insights, but you don't need them to reach a clear conclusion that Jon Gruden is a lock. Don't need Beav, don't need Bubba, don't need Tuesday, as much as I appreciate all these fellas. Don't need them.
Only need eyes and logic to see where we're going. Or more accurately, who's coming to Knoxville.
Remember the charts that show various ways people react to stress over time? The basket cases have long ago fled, unable to cope with the long Quiet Period. The freak-outs have recovered, and are now holding steady. It's the fade-out crowd's turn to have doubts, to begin falling apart. Continued stress without relief may be wearing them slowly down, until they lose hope.
Don't join them, and if you are one of them, fight it. Don't fade out on us.
Jon Gruden is coming. Logic proves it, and a press announcement within the next 7-8 days will confirm it. Just hold steady, friends.
Didnt we just renegotiate a buy out of a coach that we said the same thing about just to get him out of here ? I saw a quote this morning in another thread that hit home that said Butch inherited a dumpster fire and left a dumpster fire . I believe we are at a point in UT history where we need more than a Game manager or a coach that we could do worse if its him . IMHO
I am still on the Gruden train because:
I am tired of playing teams and saying "If we can only make it respectable and keep it close I will be happy" or "We know we can't beat them and just don't get embarrassed".
I no longer will be satisfied with mediocrity as the norm, or just hoping for a bowl game (any bowl) or praying that we somehow find a way to win one!
I am old enough to remember the days under Fulmer when people actually feared to play in Neyland and knew if they face UT they faced a great team.... We use to be the be team that others said about us "they hope they can at least keep it close". For those to young to remember it was not just under Fulmer we were that way it was under Dickey and the first couple of years under Battle.. other teams hated us... I want to go BACK!
Their might be an up and comer that can do that, but there is one coach for sure (in my thoughts at least) that can and his name is Jon Gruden. So until Currie introduces someone else, for me I will stay right here hoping for the best out there for UT football
GRUDEN TO THE HILL!
The BasketVols are heading to Bahamas with Currie in tow. You think he doesn't have his guy? If he didn't, you think he'd be celebrating with some sun & fun with signing day around the corner? #GrudenToTheHill