Vols4us
The Name's John Lee Pettimore
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2011
- Messages
- 24,400
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Here is where I stand on things. If TL/dr, scroll on by. But I have a beach to get to this PM and I have been catching up on posts on here this AM.
The lesson with the TV ruckus is that coaches and leaders come and go, but the institution and programs remain and should be what is the most important to support. I am very thankful for what Tony did and will always have great memories. But the Vols are still and will always be the most important. The guys that put on those unis and work behind the scenes to give their all for Tennessee and return to campus to support those that follow - those are the legends and who we should support and lift up. Even Tony will tell you that.
For whatever reasons he had he moved on to MLB and a shot to do something that has never been attempted before. It really doesn't matter what the circumstances were. Tip of the cap to him and hope it works out well. But I do not care one iota about San Francisco and not all that much about MLB except for Vols making their way there. I care about Vols and our sports.
IMO, the vitriol about DW is undeserved. He is doing the best job he can for Tennessee. No coach or player is more important than a program. Having sat in LNS last season, I could see the vision he wanted built with Tony's input. It is something else - just outstanding for that small of footprint while remaining in the middle of the campus for a program that historically loses money. DW made that $100+ M improvement happen. I have spent time with the fellow who is over the maintenance of the field itself - an orange blooded local guy who has made a career of it right there on that campus - from the grass and dirt to the turf and dirt today. He made sure that Tony received the exact field prep he wanted. There are many dedicated Vol employees who make sure the programs have what they need. The bucks stops with DW with all of them as well. You can hear and see that all of them are rowing in the same direction now, if they don't they are gone. The push is for the best fan experience possible while fielding the best teams possible. That has not always been the case. Randy, Donde and Danny make a great team in getting things done.
The real test about DW is what he does with his guy - Josh Heupel. The coaching staff has needed improvements for a couple of years. Heup did not make them on his own. It is on DW to make sure he does this offseason. On that issue, DW can be fairly judged.
Kim is a grand slam hire he made. All he has to do is support Rick and Karen. Hopefully Josh interviews well and has a good plan - then alls well that ends well for baseball. I could see Josh ending up being a lifer if it all goes as desired. Nobody yet knows if some big name surfaces with a desire for the job that will be a no brainer. Doubtful, but possible. Will see.
The lesson with the TV ruckus is that coaches and leaders come and go, but the institution and programs remain and should be what is the most important to support. I am very thankful for what Tony did and will always have great memories. But the Vols are still and will always be the most important. The guys that put on those unis and work behind the scenes to give their all for Tennessee and return to campus to support those that follow - those are the legends and who we should support and lift up. Even Tony will tell you that.
For whatever reasons he had he moved on to MLB and a shot to do something that has never been attempted before. It really doesn't matter what the circumstances were. Tip of the cap to him and hope it works out well. But I do not care one iota about San Francisco and not all that much about MLB except for Vols making their way there. I care about Vols and our sports.
IMO, the vitriol about DW is undeserved. He is doing the best job he can for Tennessee. No coach or player is more important than a program. Having sat in LNS last season, I could see the vision he wanted built with Tony's input. It is something else - just outstanding for that small of footprint while remaining in the middle of the campus for a program that historically loses money. DW made that $100+ M improvement happen. I have spent time with the fellow who is over the maintenance of the field itself - an orange blooded local guy who has made a career of it right there on that campus - from the grass and dirt to the turf and dirt today. He made sure that Tony received the exact field prep he wanted. There are many dedicated Vol employees who make sure the programs have what they need. The bucks stops with DW with all of them as well. You can hear and see that all of them are rowing in the same direction now, if they don't they are gone. The push is for the best fan experience possible while fielding the best teams possible. That has not always been the case. Randy, Donde and Danny make a great team in getting things done.
The real test about DW is what he does with his guy - Josh Heupel. The coaching staff has needed improvements for a couple of years. Heup did not make them on his own. It is on DW to make sure he does this offseason. On that issue, DW can be fairly judged.
Kim is a grand slam hire he made. All he has to do is support Rick and Karen. Hopefully Josh interviews well and has a good plan - then alls well that ends well for baseball. I could see Josh ending up being a lifer if it all goes as desired. Nobody yet knows if some big name surfaces with a desire for the job that will be a no brainer. Doubtful, but possible. Will see.
