Keeping Danny White Hire And Next Move In Perspective

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vegasvolfan

vegasvolfan

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#1
Of course Danny’s success extends beyond football. I have yet to see any negative comments about this hire. That said, most of his support and the commentary revolves around what he did with the UCF football program and who he will and/or should hire next at Tennessee.

We are seeing a lot of pushback against coaches without power 5 HC experience. Meanwhile we are seeing some support for coaches with former success in power 5 conferences that they failed to repeat which got them fired. So, I struggle to understand the argument of a person who supported the firing of Fulmer but wants Herman or Malzahn.

I still agree that we need a proven power 5 coach who is available and on the up and up. We may have to steal from another program. I like Tom Allen, but I created another thread for that conversation. Apparently his buy out is over 20 million.

With all that said, hiring a proven power 5 HC coache is not what seems to be how Danny White got so popular and how he has earned the support of his hiring by our fan base. His coaches were no more proven than many of those who are being rejected that are yet supportive of hiring Danny White. I also think part of what helped him was taking on a program located in a state loaded with athletes. To illustrate, here was Frost’s resume before he was brought to UCF and before Frost went onto struggle at another tradition rich school... Nebraska.
  • Nebraska (2002) Graduate assistant
  • Kansas State (2006) Graduate assistant
  • Northern Iowa (2007) Linebackers
  • Northern Iowa (2008) Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers
  • Oregon (2009–2012) Wide receivers
  • Oregon (2013–2015) Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
So, all this leads me to this point: The nuances that differentiate the scenarios of UCF and Tennessee should be considered by everyone involved—especially Danny. The reality is Danny and his coaches benefited from running a program in Florida and in a non-Power 5 conference. He could run into some real trouble if he approached Tennessee the same way he did UCF. He is not in Florida. He is in Tennessee. We have failed to recruit really well even here. Mostly, we have had to pick talent from other states for many many years and many of those players we had to pay to come here or were busts. Furthermore, we are going to face some sanctions.

So, what he most likely needs is a coach that understands the SEC and the how to recruit nationally. They should at least have proven HC success—preferably in the SEC—but at least in a power 5 conference. This should also be a coach that has proven they can build a program from the dumps—a coach that can fill in the gaps of his AD’s very own resume.

Who is that?

There is not one candidate that checks all those boxes along with filling the lofty goals of a clean record of integrity in the BS world we live in that our Chancellor hopefully threw out there for PR. The closest we have to all of that is Malzahn but again, hiring him is like another school hiring Fulmer when we let him go.

Mullen was the best interested candidate we have in many years but but that ship sailed last year when waaaaay too many people that did not know what they were talking about passed on him—many because they did not like his personality. Welp, they cost themselves and many others a LOT of money and Ws by being petty. Meanwhile, our rival Florida, who outperforms Tennessee academically and athletically, jumped on him and enjoyed being in the SEC championship his third year while we enjoyed... nothing this year to say the least. By the way, I was screaming Mullen when we let Butch go. Everyone wants to watch, but no one wanted to listen. Just sayin’. How did that go?

So, what is left?

Well apparently there is Kiffin, but what has he actually proved as an HC in the SEC? Not much other than he can build prolific offenses. He has only been an HC coach in the SEC for two years. He is the only reason that number isn’t larger. When he left he won about the same number of games at USC I think? Couple more? Granted his hands were tied there. Regardless, Kiffin has no major accomplishments anywhere as a power 5 HC.

So who else checks all the boxes that is available?

I am guessing that Urban Meyer is not ever coming back. Chris Petersen would be a great hire and some believe our plane being spotted out West is an indicator we may be talking with him. Weak info to lean on. Still, I had forgotten about him since our last coaching search and was high on him then. He would be much like Barnes. Proven to build solid, winning programs but has never won the big one.

Kirk Fetentz (if he could bring Chris Doyle with high would be a similar hire. Probably a step down from Petersen. Paul Chryst would probably be an even bigger get. The angle would have to be could we steal them from their current programs and can they do more with more at Tennessee. Most of the candidates I can think of are all on this boat. Coordinator or HC, it seems the idea is that they have done a good job elsewhere, but can they do an even better job at Tennessee? Even Hugh Freeze has never won the big one. So, with that said we have to look at all of the other boxes and it seems Hugh Freeze is the ONLY person who .... checks EVERY SINGLE BOX. Not only that, he is interested.

So, we have THE guy out there. He wants the job. He’s been through hell if you want to call it that. Exile is the better word. But if the NCAA would let him in and Tennessee felt it was too good to extend trust and forgiveness to a man who has clearly stated his regrets and interest in Tennessee, then frankly we don’t deserve much at all. I mean, we just got busted handing out money bags to players and yet we think we are better than hiring a rehabilitated coach?

I hope Danny sees things in similar fashion. He is a man of integrity from what I am reading. Maybe because we have him, the NCAA will give us the benefit of the doubt on a hire like Freeze. If they block us from being able to hire him, then it is all moot anyways. Beyond Freeze, is there really any available coach that checks all the boxes and has upward momentum? I think not. So, we should definitely be looking into this scenario and others I have mentioned hard before going with someone like Elliott.

I think Elliott or anyone else I am hearing without HC experience will be set up for failure much like Taggart at FSU, because they have never had to weather a storm like what surrounds being a HC In SEC football. The narcissism, apathy, entitlement and other interests that surround even our program is unbearable to most that experience it. Then there are the sanctions that are coming.

Hugh Freeze has already proven he can handle a tough situation. Kiffin can handle it, but for him to leave Ole Miss in one year to come back here would demonstrate he is still the same opportunist chasing the better situation and only one of these two is proven in every aspect of the game inside and outside of sports.

What will Danny do?

What else is there?
 
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#2
#2
vegasvolfan said:
Of course Danny’s success extends beyond football. I have yet to see any negative comments about this hire. That said, most of his support and the commentary revolves around what he did with the UCF football program and who he will and/or should hire next at Tennessee.

That said, we are seeing a lot of pushback against coaches without power 5 HC experience. Meanwhile we are seeing some support for coaches with former success in power 5 conferences that they failed to repeat which got them fired. So, I struggle to understand the argument of person who supported that fire but wants Herman or Malzahn.

That said, I still agree that we need a proven power 5 coach who is on the up and up or who we can steal from another program. I like Tom Allen, but I created another thread for that conversation. Apparently his buy out is over 20 million.

With all that said, Hiring proven power 5 HC coaches is not what seems to be how Danny White got so popular and how he has earned the support of his hiring by our fan base. His coaches were no more proven than many of those who are being rejected that are yet supportive of hiring Danny White. I also think part of what helped him was taking on a program located in a state loaded with athletes. To illustrate, here was Frost’s resume before he was brought to UCF and before Frost went onto struggle at another tradition rich school... Nebraska.
Nebraska (2002)
  • Graduate assistant
  • Kansas State (2006)
    Graduate assistant
  • Northern Iowa (2007)
    Linebackers
  • Northern Iowa (2008)
    Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers
  • Oregon (2009–2012)
    Wide receivers
  • Oregon (2013–2015)
    Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
  • UCF (2016–2017)
    Head coach
  • Nebraska (2018–present)
    Head coach

So, all this leads me to this point. The nuances need to be considered here by everyone involved. Danny and his coaches benefited from running a program in Florida and in a non power 5 conference. He could run into some real trouble if he approached Tennessee the same way he did UCF. He is not in Florida and he is taking on a job responsible for hiring the person who will lead a program that has been failing for over a decade that is accustomed to leaning on picking talent from other states for many many years.

So, what he most likely needs is a coach that understands the SEC and the how to recruit nationally. They should at least have proven HC success in the SEC or at least a power 5 conference. This should also be a coach that has proven they can build a program from the dumps—a coach that can fill in the gaps of his AD’s very own resume.

Who is that?

There is not one candidate that checks all those boxes along with filling the lofty goals of integrity in the BS world we live in that our Chancellor hopefully threw out there for PR. The closest we have to all of that is Malzahn but again, hiring him is like another school hiring Fulmer when we let him go.

Mullen was the best interested candidate we have in many years but but that ship sailed last year when waaaaay too many people that did not know what they were talking about passed on him—many because they did not like his personality. Welp, they cost themselves and many others a LOT of money by being petty. Meanwhile, Florida who outperforms Tennessee academically and athletically jumped on him and enjoyed being in the SEC championship his third year while we enjoyed... nothing this year to say the least. By the way, I was screaming Mullen when we let Butch go. Everyone wants to watch, but no one wanted to listen. Just sayin’. How did that go?

So, what is left?

Well apparently there is Kiffin, but what has he actually proved as an HC in the SEC Nothing other than he can build prolific offenses. I mean he has only been an HC coach in the SEC for two years. He is the only reason that number isn’t larger. When he left he won about the same number of games. These are facts.

So who else checks all the boxes that is available?

I am guessing that Urban Meyer is not ever coming back.

I could definitely be wrong here, but it seems there is only ONE person who does.... Hugh Freeze would and he checks EVERY SINGLE BOX. Not only that, he is interested.

That said, we have THE guy out there. He wants the job. He’s been through hell if you want to call it that. Exile is the better word. But if the NCAA would let him in and Tennessee felt it was too good to extend trust and forgiveness to a man who has clearly stated his regrets and interest in Tennessee, then frankly we don’t deserve much at all.

I hope Danny sees that.

He is a man integrity from what I am reading. Maybe because we have him, the NCAA will give us the benefit of the doubt on a hire like Freeze. Beyond Freeze, is there really any available coach that checks all the boxes and has upward momentum? I think not.

This leads me to fear Danny will go with someone like Elliott. I think Elliott or anyone else I am hearing without HC experience will be set up for failure much like Taggart at FSU, because they have never had to weather a storm like what is Tennessee football is. The narcissism, apathy, entitlement and other interests that surround our program is unbearable to most that experience it. Then there are the sanctions that are coming.

Hugh Freeze can handle it. Think of what he has been through. Kiffin can handle it, but for him to leave Ole Miss in one year to come back here would demonstrate he is still the same unloyal punk chasing the better situation.

Only one is proven in every aspect of the game inside and outside of sports.

What will Danny do?

What else is there?
Click to expand...
hogwash.gif
 
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#3
#3
vegasvolfan said:
Of course Danny’s success extends beyond football. I have yet to see any negative comments about this hire. That said, most of his support and the commentary revolves around what he did with the UCF football program and who he will and/or should hire next at Tennessee.

That said, we are seeing a lot of pushback against coaches without power 5 HC experience. Meanwhile we are seeing some support for coaches with former success in power 5 conferences that they failed to repeat which got them fired. So, I struggle to understand the argument of a person who supported that fire but wants Herman or Malzahn.

That said, I still agree that we need a proven power 5 coach who is on the up and up or who we can steal from another program. I like Tom Allen, but I created another thread for that conversation. Apparently his buy out is over 20 million.

With all that said, Hiring proven power 5 HC coaches is not what seems to be how Danny White got so popular and how he has earned the support of his hiring by our fan base. His coaches were no more proven than many of those who are being rejected that are yet supportive of hiring Danny White. I also think part of what helped him was taking on a program located in a state loaded with athletes. To illustrate, here was Frost’s resume before he was brought to UCF and before Frost went onto struggle at another tradition rich school... Nebraska.
Nebraska (2002)
  • Graduate assistant
  • Kansas State (2006)
    Graduate assistant
  • Northern Iowa (2007)
    Linebackers
  • Northern Iowa (2008)
    Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers
  • Oregon (2009–2012)
    Wide receivers
  • Oregon (2013–2015)
    Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
  • UCF (2016–2017)
    Head coach
  • Nebraska (2018–present)
    Head coach

So, all this leads me to this point. The nuances need to be considered here by everyone involved. Danny and his coaches benefited from running a program in Florida and in a non power 5 conference. He could run into some real trouble if he approached Tennessee the same way he did UCF. He is not in Florida and he is taking on a job responsible for hiring the person who will lead a program that has been failing for over a decade that is accustomed to leaning on picking talent from other states for many many years.

So, what he most likely needs is a coach that understands the SEC and the how to recruit nationally. They should at least have proven HC success in the SEC or at least a power 5 conference. This should also be a coach that has proven they can build a program from the dumps—a coach that can fill in the gaps of his AD’s very own resume.

Who is that?

There is not one candidate that checks all those boxes along with filling the lofty goals of integrity in the BS world we live in that our Chancellor hopefully threw out there for PR. The closest we have to all of that is Malzahn but again, hiring him is like another school hiring Fulmer when we let him go.

Mullen was the best interested candidate we have in many years but but that ship sailed last year when waaaaay too many people that did not know what they were talking about passed on him—many because they did not like his personality. Welp, they cost themselves and many others a LOT of money by being petty. Meanwhile, Florida who outperforms Tennessee academically and athletically jumped on him and enjoyed being in the SEC championship his third year while we enjoyed... nothing this year to say the least. By the way, I was screaming Mullen when we let Butch go. Everyone wants to watch, but no one wanted to listen. Just sayin’. How did that go?

So, what is left?

Well apparently there is Kiffin, but what has he actually proved as an HC in the SEC Nothing other than he can build prolific offenses. I mean he has only been an HC coach in the SEC for two years. He is the only reason that number isn’t larger. When he left he won about the same number of games. These are facts.

So who else checks all the boxes that is available?

I am guessing that Urban Meyer is not ever coming back.

I could definitely be wrong here, but it seems there is only ONE person who does.... Hugh Freeze would and he checks EVERY SINGLE BOX. Not only that, he is interested.

That said, we have THE guy out there. He wants the job. He’s been through hell if you want to call it that. Exile is the better word. But if the NCAA would let him in and Tennessee felt it was too good to extend trust and forgiveness to a man who has clearly stated his regrets and interest in Tennessee, then frankly we don’t deserve much at all.

I hope Danny sees that.

He is a man integrity from what I am reading. Maybe because we have him, the NCAA will give us the benefit of the doubt on a hire like Freeze. Beyond Freeze, is there really any available coach that checks all the boxes and has upward momentum? I think not.

This leads me to fear Danny will go with someone like Elliott. I think Elliott or anyone else I am hearing without HC experience will be set up for failure much like Taggart at FSU, because they have never had to weather a storm like what is Tennessee football is. The narcissism, apathy, entitlement and other interests that surround our program is unbearable to most that experience it. Then there are the sanctions that are coming.

Hugh Freeze can handle it. Think of what he has been through. Kiffin can handle it, but for him to leave Ole Miss in one year to come back here would demonstrate he is still the same unloyal punk chasing the better situation.

Only one is proven in every aspect of the game inside and outside of sports.

What will Danny do?

What else is there?
Click to expand...
I am for Freeze and if his wife and savior forgives him i do as well!
 
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#4
#4
I believe that the administration spent a great deal of time planning this. They contacted the NCAA regarding the investigation as I believe they had a plan from the beginning. They got all their ducks in a row as much as they could with possible penalties and compliance beforehand so that they had an understanding of possible outcomes so that they could go to an AD of White's caliber and bring him on, with transparence.

This would allow someone like White, who along with his family, has as good an understanding of how the NCAA works as anyone does, to dig us out much sooner. This has been planned for a while and White's arrival indicates to me that after the violations were committed, our administration has acted in the most responsible manner and I believe that the NCAA will not penalize us nearly as badly as some have surmised.

We may just be the poster child for second chances after this all sorts out, and what a story it would be.

I don't know that that means that we get Hugh Freeze, but the whole narrative reeks of redemption and I, for one, believe that we will be redeemed soon enough.
 
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#10
#10
vegasvolfan said:
Of course Danny’s success extends beyond football. I have yet to see any negative comments about this hire. That said, most of his support and the commentary revolves around what he did with the UCF football program and who he will and/or should hire next at Tennessee.

We are seeing a lot of pushback against coaches without power 5 HC experience. Meanwhile we are seeing some support for coaches with former success in power 5 conferences that they failed to repeat which got them fired. So, I struggle to understand the argument of a person who supported that fire but wants Herman or Malzahn.

I still agree that we need a proven power 5 coach who is available and on the up and up or who we can steal from another program. I like Tom Allen, but I created another thread for that conversation. Apparently his buy out is over 20 million.

With all that said, hiring proven power 5 HC coaches is not what seems to be how Danny White got so popular and how he has earned the support of his hiring by our fan base. His coaches were no more proven than many of those who are being rejected that are yet supportive of hiring Danny White. I also think part of what helped him was taking on a program located in a state loaded with athletes. To illustrate, here was Frost’s resume before he was brought to UCF and before Frost went onto struggle at another tradition rich school... Nebraska.
Nebraska (2002)
  • Graduate assistant
  • Kansas State (2006)
    Graduate assistant
  • Northern Iowa (2007)
    Linebackers
  • Northern Iowa (2008)
    Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers
  • Oregon (2009–2012)
    Wide receivers
  • Oregon (2013–2015)
    Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
So, all this leads me to this point: The nuances need to be considered here by everyone involved.

Danny and his coaches benefited from running a program in Florida and in a non power 5 conference. He could run into some real trouble if he approached Tennessee the same way he did UCF. He is not in Florida and he is taking on a job responsible for hiring the person who will lead a program that has been failing for over a decade that is accustomed to leaning on picking talent from other states for many many years.

So, what he most likely needs is a coach that understands the SEC and the how to recruit nationally. They should at least have proven HC success in the SEC or at least a power 5 conference. This should also be a coach that has proven they can build a program from the dumps—a coach that can fill in the gaps of his AD’s very own resume.

Who is that?

There is not one candidate that checks all those boxes along with filling the lofty goals of a clean record of integrity in the BS world we live in that our Chancellor hopefully threw out there for PR. The closest we have to all of that is Malzahn but again, hiring him is like another school hiring Fulmer when we let him go.

Mullen was the best interested candidate we have in many years but but that ship sailed last year when waaaaay too many people that did not know what they were talking about passed on him—many because they did not like his personality. Welp, they cost themselves and many others a LOT of money by being petty. Meanwhile, Florida who outperforms Tennessee academically and athletically jumped on him and enjoyed being in the SEC championship his third year while we enjoyed... nothing this year to say the least. By the way, I was screaming Mullen when we let Butch go. Everyone wants to watch, but no one wanted to listen. Just sayin’. How did that go?

So, what is left?

Well apparently there is Kiffin, but what has he actually proved as an HC in the SEC? Not muck other than he can build prolific offenses. I mean he has only been an HC coach in the SEC for two years. He is the only reason that number isn’t larger. When he left he won about the same number of games at USC I think? Couple more? No major accomplishments anywhere as a power 5 HC.

So who else checks all the boxes that is available?

I am guessing that Urban Meyer is not ever coming back.

I could definitely be wrong here, but it seems there is only ONE person who does.... Hugh Freeze would and he checks EVERY SINGLE BOX. Not only that, he is interested.

That said, we have THE guy out there. He wants the job. He’s been through hell if you want to call it that. Exile is the better word. But if the NCAA would let him in and Tennessee felt it was too good to extend trust and forgiveness to a man who has clearly stated his regrets and interest in Tennessee, then frankly we don’t deserve much at all.

I hope Danny sees that.

He is a man of integrity from what I am reading. Maybe because we have him, the NCAA will give us the benefit of the doubt on a hire like Freeze. Beyond Freeze, is there really any available coach that checks all the boxes and has upward momentum? I think not.

This leads me to fear Danny will go with someone like Elliott. I think Elliott or anyone else I am hearing without HC experience will be set up for failure much like Taggart at FSU, because they have never had to weather a storm like what surrounds Tennessee football. The narcissism, apathy, entitlement and other interests that surround our program is unbearable to most that experience it. Then there are the sanctions that are coming.

Hugh Freeze can handle it. Think of what he has been through. Kiffin can handle it, but for him to leave Ole Miss in one year to come back here would demonstrate he is still the same opportunist chasing the better situation.

Only one is proven in every aspect of the game inside and outside of sports.

What will Danny do?

What else is there?
Click to expand...
I agree with most of this but at present ole miss is a better job than Tennessee. I believe we can win with the right coach. Our new ad certainly has a job ahead of him and no matter who he hires there will be some that aren't going to be happy
 
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#11
#11
I say we let the man get to work and do his job and reserve comments until after a coach is hired. It may or may not be an impressive hire but it’s time for Volnation to let the powers to be work their plan and see what happens.
 
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#12
#12
vol94 said:
I say we let the man get to work and do his job and reserve comments until after a coach is hired. It may or may not be an impressive hire but it’s time for Volnation to let the powers to be work their plan and see what happens.[/QUOTE
Sorry but I have no faith in those “powers” but it does seem like they for once might have a plan. Jury hasn’t even been selected yet, and the accused is nervous.
Click to expand...
 
#13
#13
vegasvolfan said:
Of course Danny’s success extends beyond football. I have yet to see any negative comments about this hire. That said, most of his support and the commentary revolves around what he did with the UCF football program and who he will and/or should hire next at Tennessee.

We are seeing a lot of pushback against coaches without power 5 HC experience. Meanwhile we are seeing some support for coaches with former success in power 5 conferences that they failed to repeat which got them fired. So, I struggle to understand the argument of a person who supported the firing of Fulmer but wants Herman or Malzahn.

I still agree that we need a proven power 5 coach who is available and on the up and up. We may have to steal from another program. I like Tom Allen, but I created another thread for that conversation. Apparently his buy out is over 20 million.

With all that said, hiring a proven power 5 HC coache is not what seems to be how Danny White got so popular and how he has earned the support of his hiring by our fan base. His coaches were no more proven than many of those who are being rejected that are yet supportive of hiring Danny White. I also think part of what helped him was taking on a program located in a state loaded with athletes. To illustrate, here was Frost’s resume before he was brought to UCF and before Frost went onto struggle at another tradition rich school... Nebraska.
  • Nebraska (2002) Graduate assistant
  • Kansas State (2006) Graduate assistant
  • Northern Iowa (2007) Linebackers
  • Northern Iowa (2008) Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers
  • Oregon (2009–2012) Wide receivers
  • Oregon (2013–2015) Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
So, all this leads me to this point: The nuances that differentiate the scenarios of UCF and Tennessee should be considered by everyone involved—especially Danny. The reality is Danny and his coaches benefited from running a program in Florida and in a non-Power 5 conference. He could run into some real trouble if he approached Tennessee the same way he did UCF. He is not in Florida. He is in Tennessee. We have failed to recruit really well even here. Mostly, we have had to pick talent from other states for many many years and many of those players we had to pay to come here or were busts. Furthermore, we are going to face some sanctions.

So, what he most likely needs is a coach that understands the SEC and the how to recruit nationally. They should at least have proven HC success—preferably in the SEC—but at least in a power 5 conference. This should also be a coach that has proven they can build a program from the dumps—a coach that can fill in the gaps of his AD’s very own resume.

Who is that?

There is not one candidate that checks all those boxes along with filling the lofty goals of a clean record of integrity in the BS world we live in that our Chancellor hopefully threw out there for PR. The closest we have to all of that is Malzahn but again, hiring him is like another school hiring Fulmer when we let him go.

Mullen was the best interested candidate we have in many years but but that ship sailed last year when waaaaay too many people that did not know what they were talking about passed on him—many because they did not like his personality. Welp, they cost themselves and many others a LOT of money and Ws by being petty. Meanwhile, our rival Florida, who outperforms Tennessee academically and athletically, jumped on him and enjoyed being in the SEC championship his third year while we enjoyed... nothing this year to say the least. By the way, I was screaming Mullen when we let Butch go. Everyone wants to watch, but no one wanted to listen. Just sayin’. How did that go?

So, what is left?

Well apparently there is Kiffin, but what has he actually proved as an HC in the SEC? Not much other than he can build prolific offenses. He has only been an HC coach in the SEC for two years. He is the only reason that number isn’t larger. When he left he won about the same number of games at USC I think? Couple more? Granted his hands were tied there. Regardless, Kiffin has no major accomplishments anywhere as a power 5 HC.

So who else checks all the boxes that is available?

I am guessing that Urban Meyer is not ever coming back. Chris Petersen would be a great hire and some believe our plane being spotted out West is an indicator we may be talking with him. Weak info to lean on. Still, I had forgotten about him since our last coaching search and was high on him then. He would be much like Barnes. Proven to build solid, winning programs but has never won the big one.

Kirk Fetentz (if he could bring Chris Doyle with high would be a similar hire. Probably a step down from Petersen. Paul Chryst would probably be an even bigger get. The angle would have to be could we steal them from their current programs and can they do more with more at Tennessee. Most of the candidates I can think of are all on this boat. Coordinator or HC, it seems the idea is that they have done a good job elsewhere, but can they do an even better job at Tennessee? Even Hugh Freeze has never won the big one. So, with that said we have to look at all of the other boxes and it seems Hugh Freeze is the ONLY person who .... checks EVERY SINGLE BOX. Not only that, he is interested.

So, we have THE guy out there. He wants the job. He’s been through hell if you want to call it that. Exile is the better word. But if the NCAA would let him in and Tennessee felt it was too good to extend trust and forgiveness to a man who has clearly stated his regrets and interest in Tennessee, then frankly we don’t deserve much at all. I mean, we just got busted handing out money bags to players and yet we think we are better than hiring a rehabilitated coach?

I hope Danny sees things in similar fashion. He is a man of integrity from what I am reading. Maybe because we have him, the NCAA will give us the benefit of the doubt on a hire like Freeze. If they block us from being able to hire him, then it is all moot anyways. Beyond Freeze, is there really any available coach that checks all the boxes and has upward momentum? I think not. So, we should definitely be looking into this scenario and others I have mentioned hard before going with someone like Elliott.

I think Elliott or anyone else I am hearing without HC experience will be set up for failure much like Taggart at FSU, because they have never had to weather a storm like what surrounds being a HC In SEC football. The narcissism, apathy, entitlement and other interests that surround even our program is unbearable to most that experience it. Then there are the sanctions that are coming.

Hugh Freeze has already proven he can handle a tough situation. Kiffin can handle it, but for him to leave Ole Miss in one year to come back here would demonstrate he is still the same opportunist chasing the better situation and only one of these two is proven in every aspect of the game inside and outside of sports.

What will Danny do?

What else is there?
Click to expand...
I mean no disrespect to you --- but what part of President Boyd's statement about Freeze did you not understand????
 
#14
#14
Thorp32 said:
I mean no disrespect to you --- but what part of President Boyd's statement about Freeze did you not understand????
Click to expand...
Well if you don’t want to disrespect me, lose the condescending tone. Frankly, President Boyd is not the end all be all. He needs support to stay in office and for his other projects to be supported. He also can change his mind after reflecting. Regardless, I have not heard everything he has said regarding Freeze. Maybe your response, considering you might actually try being polite would have been less disrespectful and added more value to others had you simply cited his comments.
 
#15
#15
vegasvolfan said:
Of course Danny’s success extends beyond football. I have yet to see any negative comments about this hire. That said, most of his support and the commentary revolves around what he did with the UCF football program and who he will and/or should hire next at Tennessee.

We are seeing a lot of pushback against coaches without power 5 HC experience. Meanwhile we are seeing some support for coaches with former success in power 5 conferences that they failed to repeat which got them fired. So, I struggle to understand the argument of a person who supported the firing of Fulmer but wants Herman or Malzahn.

I still agree that we need a proven power 5 coach who is available and on the up and up. We may have to steal from another program. I like Tom Allen, but I created another thread for that conversation. Apparently his buy out is over 20 million.

With all that said, hiring a proven power 5 HC coache is not what seems to be how Danny White got so popular and how he has earned the support of his hiring by our fan base. His coaches were no more proven than many of those who are being rejected that are yet supportive of hiring Danny White. I also think part of what helped him was taking on a program located in a state loaded with athletes. To illustrate, here was Frost’s resume before he was brought to UCF and before Frost went onto struggle at another tradition rich school... Nebraska.
  • Nebraska (2002) Graduate assistant
  • Kansas State (2006) Graduate assistant
  • Northern Iowa (2007) Linebackers
  • Northern Iowa (2008) Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers
  • Oregon (2009–2012) Wide receivers
  • Oregon (2013–2015) Offensive coordinator/quarterbacks
So, all this leads me to this point: The nuances that differentiate the scenarios of UCF and Tennessee should be considered by everyone involved—especially Danny. The reality is Danny and his coaches benefited from running a program in Florida and in a non-Power 5 conference. He could run into some real trouble if he approached Tennessee the same way he did UCF. He is not in Florida. He is in Tennessee. We have failed to recruit really well even here. Mostly, we have had to pick talent from other states for many many years and many of those players we had to pay to come here or were busts. Furthermore, we are going to face some sanctions.

So, what he most likely needs is a coach that understands the SEC and the how to recruit nationally. They should at least have proven HC success—preferably in the SEC—but at least in a power 5 conference. This should also be a coach that has proven they can build a program from the dumps—a coach that can fill in the gaps of his AD’s very own resume.

Who is that?

There is not one candidate that checks all those boxes along with filling the lofty goals of a clean record of integrity in the BS world we live in that our Chancellor hopefully threw out there for PR. The closest we have to all of that is Malzahn but again, hiring him is like another school hiring Fulmer when we let him go.

Mullen was the best interested candidate we have in many years but but that ship sailed last year when waaaaay too many people that did not know what they were talking about passed on him—many because they did not like his personality. Welp, they cost themselves and many others a LOT of money and Ws by being petty. Meanwhile, our rival Florida, who outperforms Tennessee academically and athletically, jumped on him and enjoyed being in the SEC championship his third year while we enjoyed... nothing this year to say the least. By the way, I was screaming Mullen when we let Butch go. Everyone wants to watch, but no one wanted to listen. Just sayin’. How did that go?

So, what is left?

Well apparently there is Kiffin, but what has he actually proved as an HC in the SEC? Not much other than he can build prolific offenses. He has only been an HC coach in the SEC for two years. He is the only reason that number isn’t larger. When he left he won about the same number of games at USC I think? Couple more? Granted his hands were tied there. Regardless, Kiffin has no major accomplishments anywhere as a power 5 HC.

So who else checks all the boxes that is available?

I am guessing that Urban Meyer is not ever coming back. Chris Petersen would be a great hire and some believe our plane being spotted out West is an indicator we may be talking with him. Weak info to lean on. Still, I had forgotten about him since our last coaching search and was high on him then. He would be much like Barnes. Proven to build solid, winning programs but has never won the big one.

Kirk Fetentz (if he could bring Chris Doyle with high would be a similar hire. Probably a step down from Petersen. Paul Chryst would probably be an even bigger get. The angle would have to be could we steal them from their current programs and can they do more with more at Tennessee. Most of the candidates I can think of are all on this boat. Coordinator or HC, it seems the idea is that they have done a good job elsewhere, but can they do an even better job at Tennessee? Even Hugh Freeze has never won the big one. So, with that said we have to look at all of the other boxes and it seems Hugh Freeze is the ONLY person who .... checks EVERY SINGLE BOX. Not only that, he is interested.

So, we have THE guy out there. He wants the job. He’s been through hell if you want to call it that. Exile is the better word. But if the NCAA would let him in and Tennessee felt it was too good to extend trust and forgiveness to a man who has clearly stated his regrets and interest in Tennessee, then frankly we don’t deserve much at all. I mean, we just got busted handing out money bags to players and yet we think we are better than hiring a rehabilitated coach?

I hope Danny sees things in similar fashion. He is a man of integrity from what I am reading. Maybe because we have him, the NCAA will give us the benefit of the doubt on a hire like Freeze. If they block us from being able to hire him, then it is all moot anyways. Beyond Freeze, is there really any available coach that checks all the boxes and has upward momentum? I think not. So, we should definitely be looking into this scenario and others I have mentioned hard before going with someone like Elliott.

I think Elliott or anyone else I am hearing without HC experience will be set up for failure much like Taggart at FSU, because they have never had to weather a storm like what surrounds being a HC In SEC football. The narcissism, apathy, entitlement and other interests that surround even our program is unbearable to most that experience it. Then there are the sanctions that are coming.

Hugh Freeze has already proven he can handle a tough situation. Kiffin can handle it, but for him to leave Ole Miss in one year to come back here would demonstrate he is still the same opportunist chasing the better situation and only one of these two is proven in every aspect of the game inside and outside of sports.

What will Danny do?

What else is there?
Click to expand...

I could be way wrong, but my perception is there is less than zero chance that UT will hire Hugh Freeze. I think he is likely the only candidate who, even if the AD were interested (and I doubt he is) the Chancellor or University President would veto. After the virtual chanting by Boyd and Plowman of "integrity, integrity, integrity" I just see no way a guy with Freeze's baggage has a shot.
 
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#17
#17
MAUSERWERKE said:
I could be way wrong, but my perception is there is less than zero chance that UT will hire Hugh Freeze. I think he is likely the only candidate who, even if the AD were interested (and I doubt he is) the Chancellor or University President would veto. After the virtual chanting by Boyd and Plowman of "integrity, integrity, integrity" I just see no way a guy with Freeze's baggage has a shot.
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Freeze has very little baggage with the ncaa, truth be told. He got a slap on the wrist and the ncaa viewed him as not knowing his assistants were committing the violations. He did resign due to some escort scandal, but that's between him and his wife, not him and the ncaa.
 
#18
#18
I'm curious what factors/criteria White has in mind that is driving his hiring process. And thier individual weights. In the press conference he said that each of his previous choices had to fit the situation. What worked at Buffalo was different than what worked at UCF.

If I'm White I'm looking for someone I can work with, who is flexible and innovative enough to adapt, and build. I think UT is going to need to evolve in a few areas to get something that'll work.
 
#19
#19
Wolfeman_Vol said:
Freeze has very little baggage with the ncaa, truth be told. He got a slap on the wrist and the ncaa viewed him as not knowing his assistants were committing the violations. He did resign due to some escort scandal, but that's between him and his wife, not him and the ncaa.
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I honestly do not know all the facts about Freeze's tenure at Ole Miss, but the public perception I think is determinative in the minds of the decision makers. I do believe in giving people second chances, but I doubt UT wants to stick its neck out too far right now, under the circumstances.
 
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#20
#20
vegasvolfan said:
Well if you don’t want to disrespect me, lose the condescending tone. Frankly, President Boyd is not the end all be all. He needs support to stay in office and for his other projects to be supported. He also can change his mind after reflecting. Regardless, I have not heard everything he has said regarding Freeze. Maybe your response, considering you might actually try being polite would have been less disrespectful and added more value to others had you simply cited his comments.
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You are right about my tone. My apologies to you. Here is a quote from Boyd that makes it clear that Freeze, Chadwell and Kiffin are non-starters and have zero chance of a look:
"You don’t clean house of a bunch of people who aren’t following compliance and go out and get other people that don’t seem to have a record of following compliance,” Boyd told Knox News
 
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#21
#21
Thorp32 said:
You are right about my tone. My apologies to you. Here is a quote from Boyd that makes it clear that Freeze, Chadwell and Kiffin are non-starters and have zero chance of a look:
"You don’t clean house of a bunch of people who aren’t following compliance and go out and get other people that don’t seem to have a record of following compliance,” Boyd told Knox News
Click to expand...
Well now that was beautiful. Not Boyd’s point. Your response. Thank you.

Boyd seems to be a bit of a politician and seems to struggle with understanding the entire landscape of whatever. For example, I commend him on his passion to do something different in DT Knoxville, but I felt a huge park with a nice grocery store surrounded by people (in condos and apartments ) who would use it would be a more sustainable idea than a minor league baseball stadium. That is a structure you cannot repurpose if things don’t work out. A major league team would have been the better idea and even that is a bad idea in Knoxville IMO.

I think he needs to listen to the fan base and come up with a frank “Hey if this doesn’t work, it is on you... but I am behind you so let’s at least try if that is what the people want” type response. That is politically safe and also I think something he would actually like to make happen... if it did not come back on him. Needs to be a consensus type decision we all take responsibility for.

It would be a beautiful story if it worked and if the PR behind it was spot on people would understand our efforts. We made mistakes and want forgiveness. He made mistakes and has apparently atoned. He also understands taking on a program with sanctions is an act that furthers his atonement. We also want to win. What are we going to do, find some desperate next level coach and screw him the way USC screwed Kiffin? Why not give it to Hugh? Give him Fulmer’s 10 years.

The reality is it is going to be hard to find any perfect person here. Sometimes, stories keep people interested and that story would buy our program (literally) a lot of time. We would be hypocritical by turning down the one person we think is perfect for the job because he also made mistakes.

We are in a Hail Mary state and if our Hail Mary puts faith in a man’s rehabilitation, what in God’s name can anyone say is wrong with that? If it backfires, we still made the choice for the right reasons and will not be worse off than where we are today. If it does not, it is an incredible story that people believed in, wanted and paid to be a part of.

What I can’t help but wonder is when people are going to trade shady bucks for legitimate bucks. We were caught redhanded. Let us not pretend we are better than people who have already been slammed and that can help us.
 
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#22
#22
tarvol73 said:
I believe that the administration spent a great deal of time planning this. They contacted the NCAA regarding the investigation as I believe they had a plan from the beginning. They got all their ducks in a row as much as they could with possible penalties and compliance beforehand so that they had an understanding of possible outcomes so that they could go to an AD of White's caliber and bring him on, with transparence.

This would allow someone like White, who along with his family, has as good an understanding of how the NCAA works as anyone does, to dig us out much sooner. This has been planned for a while and White's arrival indicates to me that after the violations were committed, our administration has acted in the most responsible manner and I believe that the NCAA will not penalize us nearly as badly as some have surmised.

We may just be the poster child for second chances after this all sorts out, and what a story it would be.

I don't know that that means that we get Hugh Freeze, but the whole narrative reeks of redemption and I, for one, believe that we will be redeemed soon enough.
Click to expand...


The HC hire will be way earlier than we could ever hope to pick up credibility from the way White does business and any seriously tainted hire would more than offset that if not eliminate it. totally.
 
#23
#23
vegasvolfan said:
Well now that was beautiful. Not Boyd’s point. Your response. Thank you.

Boyd seems to be a bit of a politician and seems to struggle with understanding the entire landscape of whatever. For example, I commend him on his passion to do something different in DT Knoxville, but I felt a huge park with a nice grocery store surrounded by people (in condos and apartments ) who would use it would be a more sustainable idea than a minor league baseball stadium. That is a structure you cannot repurpose if things don’t work out. A major league team would have been the better idea and even that is a bad idea in Knoxville IMO.

I think he needs to listen to the fan base and come up with a frank “Hey if this doesn’t work, it is on you... but I am behind you so let’s at least try if that is what the people want” type response. That is politically safe and also I think something he would actually like to make happen... if it did not come back on him. Needs to be a consensus type decision we all take responsibility for.

It would be a beautiful story if it worked and if the PR behind it was spot on people would understand our efforts. We made mistakes and want forgiveness. He made mistakes and has apparently atoned. He also understands taking on a program with sanctions is an act that furthers his atonement. We also want to win. What are we going to do, find some desperate next level coach and screw him the way USC screwed Kiffin? Why not give it to Hugh? Give him Fulmer’s 10 years.

The reality is it is going to be hard to find any perfect person here. Sometimes, stories keep people interested and that story would buy our program (literally) a lot of time. We would be hypocritical by turning down the one person we think is perfect for the job because he also made mistakes.

We are in a Hail Mary state and if our Hail Mary puts faith in a man’s rehabilitation, what in God’s name can anyone say is wrong with that? If it backfires, we still made the choice for the right reasons and will not be worse off than where we are today. If it does not, it is an incredible story that people believed in, wanted and paid to be a part of.

What I can’t help but wonder is when people are going to trade shady bucks for legitimate bucks. We were caught redhanded. Let us not pretend we are better than people who have already been slammed and that can help us.
Click to expand...
Vegas. Nice post. You certainly have your finger on the pulse of R Boyd. I dont disagree that H. Freeze is by far the best coach out there. A different time for UT and he would have been hired.
 
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#24
#24
Thorp32 said:
Vegas. Nice post. You certainly have your finger on the pulse of R Boyd. I dont disagree that H. Freeze is by far the best coach out there. A different time for UT and he would have been hired.
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I think that mentality leads us to a big mistake when it comes to Hugh. If he is the best out there, go get him and deal with it. Most everyone wants him. I am seeing Franklin’s name out there... much cleaner hire if we can get him... still a shame if we do not consider Hugh. Guess we will have to agree to disagree on that one.
 
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