Pruitt not happy with Spring Game attendance

[thegasman54]

2018 Spring Game attendance (FINAL)

86,818 - Nebraska
82,184 - UGA
74,732 - Alabama
71,000 - PSU
65,098 - Tennessee
60,934 - FSU
55,000 - Clemson
53,015 - UF
52,102 - OU
48,000 - A&M
47,803 - Ohio St
36,814 - VA Tech
36,090 - Kentucky
31,751 - ND
28,033 - Auburn
25,500 - SCar

 

[RavinDave]

For the fans (especially those who live within a short drive of the stadium) who didn't attend the scrimmage yesterday, and are now upset that the coach asked them if they really had a legitimate reason for skipping the game, I'm so sorry for your hardship.

Looks to me like CJP is making just one point: he was hired to reestablish excellence in this program, and that's what he'll try to do.

For the whole program.

For the coaches, that means 100-hour work weeks, little sleep, practically no family time, just one unvarying drive to improve the players who are going to take the field wearing orange. Improving them individually, and then as a team.

For the players, that means winning championships. Not winning 8 games and getting to a bowl. Championships.

For the fans, that means 102,455. That's how much the stadium holds? Okay, then, that's how you define excellence.

I honestly don't think he's a complicated fellow. He's just asking for excellence.

Sorry some let it hurt their feelings. I know Vandy has safe spaces, if you'd like to shift your fandom there.

Great post JP. I imagine there's a great many more fans who see it like that, who aren't posting in this thread.

 

[OriginalCoach]

In regards to the team, I agree. I'm glad hes a no nonsense coach. However regarding the fanbase, he doesn't coach us! We are not the ones on scholarship here. We are the supporters who pay money to come cheer the team on. Some on here are talking like WE somehow need to be coached up like the team does! Theres nothing wrong with our fanbase that has to be "fixed!" There's been a lot wrong with this program over the last 10 years but fan support isnt one of them.

Really? Watch the empty seats increase if winning doesn't happen. Need an example, just check the WBB program and their attendance lately. Does fan base need "Coached up?" Maybe, maybe not. Reminded? Abso-F'ing-lutely. You're TN. Act like it. If what this coach said during a spring practice game is so damn terrible, I can only imagine what s*** will look like once the reality hits the start of the season.

 

[jasonvol18]

Ome of the biggest red flags about Pruitt is that he is a hothead that shoots his mouth off a lot. I thought becoming a HC might humble him. Hopefullt the guy doesnt think he's actually Saban just because he's coached with him awhile. He's done absolutely nothing as a HC yet, obviously.

Yes how dare he expect the same thing out of the fans that we expect out of him. Who would want a coach like that?

 

[Iam4utalways]

If we finish the season ranked 5th nationally which means we just missed the playoffs then the coach didn’t do his job either? Should I show up for the free football and keep all the money I give to the University to watch the crap show of the last ten years? I would’ve been there but my kid had a basketball tournament that I would rather watch an be with him every time. We went to every home game, Tech game and Bama game in that crappy T town hole. Shut up and win games. Will judge the results on the field. We don’t have to be petted but 65k at a spring game is really good after last year especially. Also, tired of seeing players quit. Run em out of town and build this thing but just don’t comment on the fan base. Do your JOB Pruitt and they will come.

Should CJP have said no comment when asked about the fans?

His comment was directed at the fans that had nothing more important to do and still were no shows.

Sounds like you are offended for others out of principle.

Who is he to call out Vol fans for not showing up? The Head Football Coach.

 

[FleeceItOut]

The Spring Game is a joke and UT still ranked 5 in the country in attendence despite winning 0 conference games last year and having the worst season in program history.

Pruitt hasn’t earned a right to complain about anything yet. If he can complain about this will he be okay with the fans booing him off the field if the team doesn’t perform up to our expectations?

 

[terrypedigo]

Ome of the biggest red flags about Pruitt is that he is a hothead that shoots his mouth off a lot. I thought becoming a HC might humble him. Hopefullt the guy doesnt think he's actually Saban just because he's coached with him awhile. He's done absolutely nothing as a HC yet, obviously.

JP is trying to be like saint nick, it won't work and you don't insult the fans in your very first spring game.

 

[0nelilreb]

Sports writers and media folks are going to make this thread next weeks Hot topic and run it as “CJP offends Vols fans “ if it still has legs by Tuesday we will make the Pawl Finebomb show, if by Friday it’s still running We will make a segment on ESPN somewhere . If you guys are sensitive now , just wait until the media gets done talking about how “ we should be proud to have a coach trying to fire up this program “ .

 

[RowdyTop]

The Spring Game is a joke and UT still ranked 5 in the country in attendence despite winning 0 conference games last year and having the worst season in program history.

Pruitt hasn’t earned a right to complain about anything yet. If he can complain about this will he be okay with the fans booing him off the field if the team doesn’t perform up to our expectations?

Those same fans will come running back after we've gotten over the hump and start winning

 

[RowdyTop]

The Spring Game is a joke and UT still ranked 5 in the country in attendence despite winning 0 conference games last year and having the worst season in program history.

Pruitt hasn’t earned a right to complain about anything yet. If he can complain about this will he be okay with the fans booing him off the field if the team doesn’t perform up to our expectations?

Pruitt has just as much of a right to complain as you have a right to complain, like you're doing now.

 

[RavinDave]

And for those who want to put him down for his corn pone accent or his simple, countrified ways, did we hire him to teach English, design rocket engines or cure cancer? No, we hired him to coach football. And in the Football Department he reigns supreme while under contract with UT.

 

[Ten I See]

The Spring Game is a joke and UT still ranked 5 in the country in attendence despite winning 0 conference games last year and having the worst season in program history.

Pruitt hasn’t earned a right to complain about anything yet. If he can complain about this will he be okay with the fans booing him off the field if the team doesn’t perform up to our expectations?

Did he really complain though?

He said there were some fans who couldn't make it for legitimate reasons and other fans who could've been here but weren't

Is that really complaining or are you just too much of a snowflake?

 

[GetEmVols]

The Spring Game is a joke and UT still ranked 5 in the country in attendence despite winning 0 conference games last year and having the worst season in program history.

Pruitt hasn’t earned a right to complain about anything yet. If he can complain about this will he be okay with the fans booing him off the field if the team doesn’t perform up to our expectations?

Let’s hope the players don’t have your attitude. “Why do I have to listen to this guy? He hasn’t proven anything to me yet”

 

[OriginalCoach]

The Spring Game is a joke and UT still ranked 5 in the country in attendence despite winning 0 conference games last year and having the worst season in program history.

Pruitt hasn’t earned a right to complain about anything yet. If he can complain about this will he be okay with the fans booing him off the field if the team doesn’t perform up to our expectations?

Pruitt earned the right to complain the second he signed on to take over the s*** show called TN Vol Football. If it had been Gruden saying it, most would be salivating on him. Get over it, right now, according to his contract and his role with Vol FB, he's the HMF in charge. Until he proves otherwise, he's the man hired.

 

[VolGee4]

Those same fans will come running back after we've gotten over the hump and start winning

I just don't understand that. The crowd was on par with other spring games. Fans who don't go to the spring game aren't real fans? It's a scrimmage. From 6 hours away, I had been to at least one game a year for 18 years until last year. Except for when I was in school, I haven't gone to a spring game.

I am absolutely in support of him, but I just don't think he should have gone there. He is our coach because this fan base is very passionate and rejected our first attempted hires. Kind of ironic to me.

 

[VolinMC]

It looks like to me he mentioned the fan that did show up,the fans that couldn't show up and the fans that wouldn't show up. It's the Volnation way to complain about only one thing out of the whole quote.
I didn't show up because I'm on a walker right now and could not make it in the stadium. If not for that I would have been there. My skin is too thick to get upset over what was said.
Now I'm gonna be a knee bender and worshipper and say I agree with what he said. It wasn't out of line when you put it in context I th the whole quote.
Anyway,whether your upset or not have a great day and carry on.

 

[Ten_Titans]

Let’s hope the players don’t have your attitude. “Why do I have to listen to this guy? He hasn’t proven anything to me yet”

I'm not sure where this idea of pretending there is no difference between players and fans came from.

 

[RowdyTop]

It looks like to me he mentioned the fan that did show up,the fans that couldn't show up and the fans that wouldn't show up. It's the Volnation way to complain about only one thing out of the whole quote.
I didn't show up because I'm on a walker right now and could not make it in the stadium. If not for that I would have been there. My skin is too thick to get upset over what was said.
Now I'm gonna be a knee bender and worshipper and say I agree with what he said. It wasn't out of line when you put it in context I th the whole quote.
Anyway,whether your upset or not have a great day and carry on.

This!

Thank you!

 

[RowdyTop]

I just don't understand that. The crowd was on par with other spring games. Fans who don't go to the spring game aren't real fans? It's a scrimmage. From 6 hours away, I had been to at least one game a year for 18 years until last year. Except for when I was in school, I haven't gone to a spring game.

I am absolutely in support of him, but I just don't think he should have gone there. He is our coach because this fan base is very passionate and rejected our first attempted hires. Kind of ironic to me.

Kind of ironic to me that you’re complaining about coach Pruitt complaining

He wasn’t even really complaining. He said there were SOME fans who could’ve been there and weren’t. Is that really complaining? I just think y’all are being baby’s about this whole overblown quote.

 

[JonGrudensAgent]

I just don't understand why you go there. I will be rooting for him, but this is not new at UT. Many people who are 3+ hours away aren't going to the spring game. The stadium won't be full. The falls are totally different.

That's my point. The man has plenty of problems to deal with in this program.

Creating another problem by ticking off some fans for not showing up to an overblown scrimmage is one he didn't need to create.

 

[vollygirl]

I'm kind of on the fence on these comments by Pruitt. I will say I was there and I enjoyed the exhibition, comradery with fellow fans and seeing some progress from the program.

First, I completely agree with what he's trying to do with the program. Demanding results from players, staff, and fans all alike is a recipe for success. Yes, even us fans.

On the other hand, it seems to be a little misplaced and maybe just a bit tone deaf. This fan base has been through a lot over the past 10+ years. There's a fatigue regarding coaches and what they say versus the product delivered. Plus, factor in its a spring game and it's not exactly the best viewing lens that fans have of the program or players. It didn't feel like a game atmosphere today, and I think the admin could have done a little more to promote it up to drive interest, both before the game and during.

Perfectly stated! I change my essay answer to this one.

 

[VolGee4]

Pruitt has just as much of a right to complain as you have a right to complain, like you're doing now.

I don't see it this way. As a coach, I think you cater to your fans instead of calling them out. Only established, successful coaches can normally get away with it.

All that said, it does not change my support for him. I think he is just learning on the job how to deal with these things as a head coach.

 

[JacketVol]

Should CJP have said no comment when asked about the fans?

His comment was directed at the fans that had nothing more important to do and still were no shows.

Sounds like you are offended for others out of principle.

Who is he to call out Vol fans for not showing up? The Head Football Coach.

But 5th nationally IS SHOWING UP. So do we call him out if we finish 5th in the final football poll this year? If we did, that would also be ridiculous. If 20k has shown up, then call them out. It’s really that simple as far as the point I am making.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Great post JP. I imagine there's a great many more fans who see it like that, who aren't posting in this thread.

I agree with JP too. This isn’t complaining about the fans as much as it is setting a standard of excellence that everyone that supports the program should strive for. Is having the fifth largest good enough? Or why shouldn’t we have the #1 attendance or the # 1 effort by our players on the field and off.

We had Butch who’s FOS campaign was full of cliches and excusesand everyone complained, now CJP comes in and calls it like it is and people complain because he’s too harsh and is a straight shooter . Some of you need to sack the **** up and ask the question “why not us”? Instead of being satisfied.

 

[JacketVol]

JP is trying to be like saint nick, it won't work and you don't insult the fans in your very first spring game.

Exactly! Not when they were 5th nationally and only behind the two freaking teams that were in the NC game in our conference. It was very immature and unwise. And I am on his side but if he’s wrong then I am not going to sugar coat it.