I have no idea how many games the Vols will win this year. At this point, I'm beyond fixating on a number.
I am a lifelong Vol fan. To this day, I still get chills when the band breaks into the "T", plays Rocky Top, and the team runs onto the field.
I am a Vol For Life. I don't care if Elmer Fudd is our head coach. Just play tough, play hard, and the wins will come.
I thought it was time for Coach Fulmer to go when he did. I thought Lane Kiffin, while controversial, would win here and stay here. I was right on the first count, and wrong on the second. Then I thought Derek Dooley was a solid hire. I was wrong. Then I thought Butch Jones would work out. He didn't. Lastly, I thought Jeremy Pruitt would bring the "Bama Mentality" to Knoxville. And I thought hiring Coach Fulmer as our AD was the right move as well. I totally bought the hype video, "Come Together".
I'll just leave it at that. Apparently, I'm easy to fool.
So now it's Coach Heupel. Great resume' as a player; solid resume' as an OC; solid resume' as a head coach, albeit at the G5 level. Not known for his defensive focus or acumen, but more for simply outscoring his opponents. Widely known for his high-powered, high-scoring offenses.
Oh...and he inherited the Mother of all Dumpster Fires at UT. On top of almost two decades of gradual decline and increasing fanbase frustration, he also has potentially serious NCAA sanctions to deal with. One almost has to ask why he would take this job. Lord knows, there were better ones available if he was serious about moving up to the P5 level.
Gosh, I almost hesitate to do this, but....here I go again. I like Heupel. I like his offense. I hope he can find a DC who can keep our opponents under 30 or so a game. I like his confidence. I like his willingness to take over a program that is wallowing, and under a cloud of potential sanctions. I cannot help but like a guy who bucks the odds and says "I can do this."
I like what he has done with the roster. He will not tolerate those who are not all-in, or those who embarrass the brand of UT Football.
If I'm right...and Lord knows it's time the scales finally tipped in my favor...then Josh Heupel will eventually do great things at UT. For me, this year, next year, or the next, are not a "wash". If he's the right guy, then UT will be a tough out from Day 1 of this season, and moving forward. If Coach Heupel is the right guy, then he will find a way to win where his predecessors found a way to lose.
That's what separates the winners from the losers. We're due for a winner. I think / hope Coach Heupel is it.
Go Vols.