Recruiting forum off topic thread (no politics, covid, or hot button issues)

[swchandler1988]

I mean, he’s been here 5 years now and this’ll be the first year one of the guys he’s recruited starts on the OL. So I’m sure you can understand why there are concerns with his recruiting. Especially when coupled with how guys like AP (who some of yall swear by) has repeatedly stated his personality doesn’t really resonate with recruits.

He’s been here 4 years just like the rest of the coaches, and like the rest of the coaches didn’t come out swinging those first couple years in recruiting. There should be nothing to complain about regarding him in the last 2 cycles.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

He’s been here 4 years just like the rest of the coaches, and like the rest of the coaches didn’t come out swinging those first couple years in recruiting. There should be nothing to complain about regarding him in the last 2 cycles.

Okay. He’s been here 4 years. Going into his 5th. And after 4 years we still have no clear answer to center and had to go to the portal to land two guards. Or maybe a guard and a center because see above.

To act like it’s inconceivable people could have questions about GE to this point is either intentionally daft or just orange tinted homerism.

Has he recruited well on paper the last two cycles? Sure. But until these guys start playing and playing well, people will have questions and justifiably so.

 

[benholt06]

Okay. He’s been here 4 years. Going into his 5th. And after 4 years we still have no clear answer to center and had to go to the portal to land two guards. Or maybe a guard and a center because see above.

To act like it’s inconceivable people could have questions about GE to this point is either intentionally daft or just orange tinted homerism.

Has he recruited well on paper the last two cycles? Sure. But until these guys start playing and playing well, people will have questions and justifiably so.

He’s stirring up this tired debate so he can talk about how out of control the negas are when this kid commits. Don’t let the thread get hijacked.

Are there legit concerns around CGE, some brought here by insiders? Yes

Are things going well enough overall that this well-trodden debate is a pointless waste of time? Also yes.

 

[swchandler1988]

Okay. He’s been here 4 years. Going into his 5th. And after 4 years we still have no clear answer to center and had to go to the portal to land two guards. Or maybe a guard and a center because see above.

To act like it’s inconceivable people could have questions about GE to this point is either intentionally daft or just orange tinted homerism.

Has he recruited well on paper the last two cycles? Sure. But until these guys start playing and playing well, people will have questions and justifiably so.

the last 3 years we’ve had upperclassmen cemented in several positions. Sure some of those early recruits that looked promising didn’t work out, that’s the same as every team out there. Transfer guards you say? Did he not recruit them? I just think some people have a vendetta against him for no reason

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

He’s stirring up this tired debate so he can talk about how out of control the negas are when this kid commits. Don’t let the thread get hijacked.

Are there legit concerns around CGE, some brought here by insiders? Yes

Are things going well enough overall that this well-trodden debate is a pointless waste of time? Also yes.

This is a really stupid time to initiate this discussion in a public forum. Stretch run for some targets and in full view of Moms and other critical support folks for those making those decisions, and in reality those committed but not yet signed.

CJH. has the only full fact set about target selection, prioritization and resource allocation he, the OC and this coach have made. His overall perforce in the living rooms, on the practice field and during games has directed CJH to his staff decisions. There is a risk/reward calculation only he can make. There is ZERO value add to these assumptive positions on the fact sets without that same full knowledge of those facts. Not to mention the potential replacement pool if he were to go that direction. This class and this season will be critical just like every other year when staff change season is upon us.

 

[LaagerVol]

Okay. He’s been here 4 years. Going into his 5th. And after 4 years we still have no clear answer to center and had to go to the portal to land two guards. Or maybe a guard and a center because see above.

To act like it’s inconceivable people could have questions about GE to this point is either intentionally daft or just orange tinted homerism.

Has he recruited well on paper the last two cycles? Sure. But until these guys start playing and playing well, people will have questions and justifiably so.

I think it’s fair to have questions and concerns. Imo he gets a FULL pass on the first 2 recruiting classes because of the circumstances we were in and those guys would be the ones you would expect to be starting this year if they were any good. I’ve said it several times, but these next 2 years will tell the story on GE

 

[benholt06]

This is a really stupid time to initiate this discussion in a public forum. Stretch run for some targets and in full view of Moms and other critical support folks for those making those decisions, and in reality those committed but not yet signed.

CJH. has the only full fact set about target selection, prioritization and resource allocation he, the OC and this coach have made. His overall perforce in the living rooms, on the practice field and during games has directed CJH to his staff decisions. There is a risk/reward calculation only he can make. There is ZERO value add to these assumptive positions on the fact sets without that same full knowledge of those facts. Not to mention the potential replacement pool if he were to go that direction. This class and this season will be critical just like every other year when staff change season is upon us.

I didn’t initiate it.

But the idea that we have to pretend every single thing is perfect because recruits might be watching I find… silly.

 

[Adam2014]

This is a really stupid time to initiate this discussion in a public forum. Stretch run for some targets and in full view of Moms and other critical support folks for those making those decisions, and in reality those committed but not yet signed.

CJH. has the only full fact set about target selection, prioritization and resource allocation he, the OC and this coach have made. His overall perforce in the living rooms, on the practice field and during games has directed CJH to his staff decisions. There is a risk/reward calculation only he can make. There is ZERO value add to these assumptive positions on the fact sets without that same full knowledge of those facts. Not to mention the potential replacement pool if he were to go that direction. This class and this season will be critical just like every other year when staff change season is upon us.

I think you are taking this a bit too seriously. If you think discourse on a free online forum is going to significantly sway a high school recruit, then I have some ocean front property in Arizona.

No one is arguing that they know more than Josh Heupel, Glen Elarbee, or Joey Halze. Just because we don't know as much doesn't mean that there is no value in having discussions about the coaching performance. You don't have to be the foremost expert on something to have an opinion. If non-experts aren't allowed to voice their opinions, then what is the point of having a public forum such as Volnation ?

 

[SSVol]

I didn’t initiate it.

But the idea that we have to pretend every single thing is perfect because recruits might be watching I find… silly.

It's also silly to muddy the water on the basis of rumor and innuendo. Many here speak positively about Heupel but then slam the coaches he trusts. I see a logical disconnect there made worse by the fact that virtually nobody here has first hand knowledge.

 

[Go Fight Win]

The Joe Moore Award is awarded annually to the best college football offensive line unit. Tennessee joins Oregon as the only programs to earn semifinalist honors three consecutive seasons (2022-24).

 

[benholt06]

It's also silly to muddy the water on the basis of rumor and innuendo. Many here speak positively about Heupel but then slam the coaches he trusts. I see a logical disconnect there made worse by the fact that virtually nobody here has first hand knowledge.

Muddy the water? We’re talking about football here. There’s nuance. A lot of things are going great. A few need improvement. Bad tackle play in 2024 wasn’t rumor or innuendo. Also just for this board if @allvolrecruiting or @Ericvol2096 bring info I pretty much take them at their word.

And again, the only reason it was brought up in this context is so yet another person could wag their finger at the "negas". Equally as tiresome as people actually being negative.

 

[SSVol]

Muddy the water? We’re talking about football here. There’s nuance. A lot of things are going great. A few need improvement. Bad tackle play in 2024 wasn’t rumor or innuendo. Also just for this board if @allvolrecruiting or @Ericvol2096 bring info I pretty much take them at their word.

And again, the only reason it was brought up in this context is so yet another person could wag their finger at the "negas". Equally as tiresome as people actually being negative.

There is zero benefit to be gained by throwing shade at a position coach. None. Doesn't make him better. Doesn't change Heupel's mind. Doesn't improve a recruit's impression of the coach or our program. If pointing that out makes me tiresome to you, then you know what your next move is.

 

[Adam2014]

There is zero benefit to be gained by throwing shade at a position coach. None. Doesn't make him better. Doesn't change Heupel's mind. Doesn't improve a recruit's impression of the coach or our program. If pointing that out makes me tiresome to you, then you know what your next move is.

This is a message board for Tennessee football fans. It's not like we are part of the staff. There are always benefits to discussion. Perhaps you could change someone's mind on a topic or maybe they could change yours.

 

[benholt06]

There is zero benefit to be gained by throwing shade at a position coach. None. Doesn't make him better. Doesn't change Heupel's mind. Doesn't improve a recruit's impression of the coach or our program. If pointing that out makes me tiresome to you, then you know what your next move is.

lol this is a message board on the internet. I’m not sure there’s a benefit to any of this. It’s for discussion. There’s certainly not a benefit to shutting down discussion. When I see some actual shade thrown at a coach, I’ll let you know.

Third reminder that nobody actually dissed CGE here. Someone said "remember when somebody dissed CGE”, and that’s all it took.

 

[SSVol]

This is a message board for Tennessee football fans. It's not like we are part of the staff. There are always benefits to discussion. Perhaps you could change someone's mind on a topic or maybe they could change yours.

Ok, educate me on what the benefit is to denigrate a position coach. How does that improve the team? Our chance of winning? Our recruiting?

On the other hand, is negativity potentially damaging? The toxicity of the Tennessee fanbase has been the subject of the national media. How does that help us? We complain on here constantly that the local sports media is negative. Perhaps that is a reflection of our fanbase?

I just don't see it. Zero benefit. Only possibility is damage.

 

[Adam2014]

Ok, educate me on what the benefit is to denigrate a position coach. How does that improve the team? Our chance of winning? Our recruiting?

On the other hand, is negativity potentially damaging? The toxicity of the Tennessee fanbase has been the subject of the national media. How does that help us? We complain on here constantly that the local sports media is negative. Perhaps that is a reflection of our fanbase?

I just don't see it. Zero benefit. Only possibility is damage.

Do you really believe what we say on this forum impacts the team in any way? Do you think praising them makes them play better, coach better, and recruit better?

I don't think it does, therefore I don't think saying a coach needs to evaluate high school players better damages the team. It is okay if we don't agree, but that is my point of view.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

This is a message board for Tennessee football fans. It's not like we are part of the staff. There are always benefits to discussion. Perhaps you could change someone's mind on a topic or maybe they could change yours.

This is a free public forum that is not limited to Vol fans. Recruits, moms, coaches, talking heads all get to take in whatever is posted.

Everybody likes to limit their own liabilities, but it is not their call. Just another arrogant self serving opinion.

 

[benholt06]

I’m gonna log off and go roll in the grass before I start thinking things said here actually have an impact on the Tennessee football program.

Speaking of rolling in the grass, I bet Shabazz put many a defender in the grass with pancake blocks. I’m really happy we’re projected to get him and that we didn’t pollute his thread with absolute nonsense.

GBO.

 

[SSVol]

Do you really believe what we say on this forum impacts the team in any way? Do you think praising them makes them play better, coach better, and recruit better?

I don't think it does, therefore I don't think saying a coach needs to evaluate high school players better damages the team. It is okay if we don't agree, but that is my point of view.

Of course not. And I think talking about strengths and weaknesses objectively is fine. CGE clearly has some weaknesses, but he is also one of the few constants in Heupel's staff. It's obvious he's trusted and viewed as capable. That's really all I need.

But yes, I do think the constant drone of Coach XYZ "sucks", "is useless", "needs to be fired", etc., is damaging. Recruits and parents read these forums during the time they are making decisions about where to go. Position coaches end up as mentors. Tearing them down serves zero benefit and absolutely has the potential to cost us recruits.

When I was young, I was as loud and opinionated as anyone on this site. Over time I've learned that I don't know as much as I thought I did and that there is value in leaving certain things unsaid. I realize that isn't in style these days, but I assure you, it works better.

 

[Adam2014]

Of course not. And I think talking about strengths and weaknesses objectively is fine. CGE clearly has some weaknesses, but he is also one of the few constants in Heupel's staff. It's obvious he's trusted and viewed as capable. That's really all I need.

But yes, I do think the constant drone of Coach XYZ "sucks", "is useless", "needs to be fired", etc., is damaging. Recruits and parents read these forums during the time they are making decisions about where to go. Position coaches end up as mentors. Tearing them down serves zero benefit and absolutely has the potential to cost us recruits.

When I was young, I was as loud and opinionated as anyone on this site. Over time I've learned that I don't know as much as I thought I did and that there is value in leaving certain things unsaid. I realize that isn't in style these days, but I assure you, it works better.

In my opinion you are overvaluing the impact that we have posting on this forum and that is fine. We can just agree to disagree.

 

[SSVol]

In my opinion you are overvaluing the impact that we have posting on this forum and that is fine. We can just agree to disagree.

In the era where our politicians govern via social media?

If it costs us a single prized recruit, it was one too many.

 

[cncchris33]

In the era where our politicians govern via social media?

If it costs us a single prized recruit, it was one too many.

Do you really want the kid who made the biggest decision of his life based on the opinion of random, anonymous message board posters? Is that the mentally fragile guy you want playing for your team?

 

[Adam2014]

In the era where our politicians govern via social media?

If it costs us a single prized recruit, it was one too many.

It is just something I will never worry about posting on a free message board about Tennessee athletics. There are way more important things for me to worry about in my life than whether or not a recruit is impacted by something I said online. We obviously differ in opinion on this matter. No need to keep going.

 

[barrylee]

I think you are taking this a bit too seriously. If you think discourse on a free online forum is going to significantly sway a high school recruit, then I have some ocean front property in Arizona.

No one is arguing that they know more than Josh Heupel, Glen Elarbee, or Joey Halze. Just because we don't know as much doesn't mean that there is no value in having discussions about the coaching performance. You don't have to be the foremost expert on something to have an opinion. If non-experts aren't allowed to voice their opinions, then what is the point of having a public forum such as Volnation ?

Is he? It’s not like we don’t know that recruit’s parents do read Volnation.

I just don’t see the need to get in a recruit’s thread and talk about how his position coach sucks..

 

[SSVol]

Do you really want the kid who made the biggest decision of his life based on the opinion of random, anonymous message board posters? Is that the mentally fragile guy you want playing for your team?

Not sure how we got from the "fan base tearing down coaches is bad" to "players influenced by that are mentally fragile".

If you are a recruit deciding where to play and you have the chance to be coached by a guy everyone says is great vs one everyone says sucks, which are you going to choose? Has nothing to do with being fragile.