Is Heupel incapable of seeing what needs to be done? Or is it something else?

#77
#77
Behr said:
Doesn't care about what?
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I think he is perfectly content doing 9-3/10-2 and just scooting by while getting a $9m check each year.

I personally want to see Banks stay around with a healthy defense, but it’s pretty unexplainable why Heupel refuses to make staff changes. Actually it somewhat is as he still has PTSD from Stoops firing him.

But Heupel doesn’t strike as the type that’s ultra motivated right now. That’s why I’m worried about the R word creeping in
 
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#79
#79
BigOrangeTrain said:
I have been a huge Heupel defender. I really like him as a coach but that like is wearing thin now. I can handle giving up points and yards to UGA and Bama. They have tons of elite play makers. But giving up almost 300 yards and 21 points to a bottom feeder like UK?

Surely Heupel sees what needs to be done right? He HAS TO right? Or is he simply incapable of seeing it? I would have no issue with firing Banks at halftime and letting Inge call the defense the rest of the way. Would it be a disaster? Could it be much worse? If Heupel doesn’t get rid of Banks at seasons end then, and I cannot believe I am saying this, I want him gone.

This defensive performances are unacceptable and embarrassing.
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Honest question (some data first):

- In 2023 and 2024 we had the 7th and 6th ranked defense nationally (YPG).

- We lose two of our best defenders and potential first round draft picks at the same position — making an entire unit of our D vulnerable and imbalanced (which impacts run and pass game).

So, is it the contention of the board that:

1). Banks somehow sucks as a coach all of the sudden after two solid years?

2). He should have enough depth by now that injuries aren’t an excuse?

3). Something else?
 
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#81
#81
BigOrangeTrain said:
I have been a huge Heupel defender. I really like him as a coach but that like is wearing thin now. I can handle giving up points and yards to UGA and Bama. They have tons of elite play makers. But giving up almost 300 yards and 21 points to a bottom feeder like UK?

Surely Heupel sees what needs to be done right? He HAS TO right? Or is he simply incapable of seeing it? I would have no issue with firing Banks at halftime and letting Inge call the defense the rest of the way. Would it be a disaster? Could it be much worse? If Heupel doesn’t get rid of Banks at seasons end then, and I cannot believe I am saying this, I want him gone.

This defensive performances are unacceptable and embarrassing.
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A lot of us are in the same place. As I understand his history as a head coach, Heupel has never once fired any coach. Apparently, he is willing to sacrifice his own career just to stick with a guy he knows…even if that guy is not performing up to expectations.

I wonder if Danny White is the same way?
 
#83
#83
VolByBirth said:
Honest question (some data first):

- In 2023 and 2024 we had the 7th and 6th ranked defense nationally (YPG).

- We lose two of our best defenders and potential first round draft picks at the same position — making an entire unit of our D vulnerable and imbalanced (which impacts run and pass game).

So, is it the contention of the board that:

1). Banks somehow sucks as a coach all of the sudden after two solid years?

2). He should have enough depth by now that injuries aren’t an excuse?

3). Something else?
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They have no response for this because their football IQ only goes 10 seconds deep
 
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#84
#84
volfan102455 said:
He was probably frustrated with the defense - though the question asked was really strange and unusual - about the snap counts and defense. Was Kentucky doing something really different with their snap counts?
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The fake claps combined with the multiple claps looked a bit odd. At the end of the day they should be looking for the ball/snap and not the snap count.
 
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#85
#85
volfan102455 said:
He was probably frustrated with the defense - though the question asked was really strange and unusual - about the snap counts and defense. Was Kentucky doing something really different with their snap counts?
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Yes, they were.

Disclaimer: I am not using that as an excuse for all of our defensive woes and it doesn't reflect Banks or Martinez capabilities. It was just an answer to a question.
 
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#86
#86
JMSqb11 said:
I think he is perfectly content doing 9-3/10-2 and just scooting by while getting a $9m check each year.

I personally want to see Banks stay around with a healthy defense, but it’s pretty unexplainable why Heupel refuses to make staff changes. Actually it somewhat is as he still has PTSD from Stoops firing him.

But Heupel doesn’t strike as the type that’s ultra motivated right now. That’s why I’m worried about the R word creeping in
Click to expand...

This is why youre one of my favorites. Lol. I disagree with 99.9% of it, but its entertaining.

What's the R word?
 
#88
#88
VolByBirth said:
Honest question (some data first):

- In 2023 and 2024 we had the 7th and 6th ranked defense nationally (YPG).

- We lose two of our best defenders and potential first round draft picks at the same position — making an entire unit of our D vulnerable and imbalanced (which impacts run and pass game).

So, is it the contention of the board that:

1). Banks somehow sucks as a coach all of the sudden after two solid years?

2). He should have enough depth by now that injuries aren’t an excuse?

3). Something else?
Click to expand...

Our offense was different in 2023 and 2024 - less explosive plays, offense was on the field for longer periods of time. That also limits the number of times the opponents have the opportunity to score.

I know - you probably say - that has nothing to do with defense - but actually it does. Defense may be on the field more and the opponents have more opportunities to adjust and score.

This 2025 team is a lot like the 2022 team in terms of being able to score quickly. That 2022 team allowed a lot of teams score points on us.
 
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#89
#89
Jxn Vol said:
Not sure what this is in reference to. But I pose this question- Does he care enough to fire an assistant coach to upgrade the position?
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Well…if he does, your opinion is the last one he should be listening to…including all others on here…including mine.

None of you have any idea what it takes to coach and field even a competitive team at the Pop Warner level…let alone the SEC.

The narcissism around here is palpable that people think they know more than our coaches.

Is our defense bad? Yes. But there are a lot of factors, and I’ll be the first to say that I don’t have the answers.

Here’s another truth. The defense was very good last year and carried the team. Is all of that just immediately forgotten because this unit is struggling?

I trust that Heupel will make the right decisions in the offseason. And it would be utterly stupid to start firing coaches at 6-2 and everything still available to play for.
 
#90
#90
JMSqb11 said:
I think he is perfectly content doing 9-3/10-2 and just scooting by while getting a $9m check each year.

I personally want to see Banks stay around with a healthy defense, but it’s pretty unexplainable why Heupel refuses to make staff changes. Actually it somewhat is as he still has PTSD from Stoops firing him.

But Heupel doesn’t strike as the type that’s ultra motivated right now. That’s why I’m worried about the R word creeping in
Click to expand...

So dumb.
 
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#91
#91
JMSqb11 said:
Regression.

I love people who disagree more than agreement.

Keeps things healthy.
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He aint perfect. This is big boy football and hes dealing with it best he can. I have no clue if he'll ever get it ALL ironed out but if he doesn't, it aint because he doesn't care.

Im enjoying the ride. When someone figures out how to change anything with a stroke of a keyboard let me know and Ill chip in.
 
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#92
#92
JMSqb11 said:
I think he is perfectly content doing 9-3/10-2 and just scooting by while getting a $9m check each year.

I personally want to see Banks stay around with a healthy defense, but it’s pretty unexplainable why Heupel refuses to make staff changes. Actually it somewhat is as he still has PTSD from Stoops firing him.

But Heupel doesn’t strike as the type that’s ultra motivated right now. That’s why I’m worried about the R word creeping in
Click to expand...

I don't know - he has always seemed like one who wanted to win games. I do think a lot of coaches will eventually find the whole portal / NIL situation tiresome and not worth it.

I also believe at some point, at least in the SEC, coaches and fans are going to realize that a 12-0 season is no longer attainable unless you just get lucky and have the best schedule for a year. Given the 9 game schedule with the fact that you can only schedule 2 cupcakes, we are going to see the best teams at 10-2 and 9-3 in the SEC.

The days of aspiring to be that undefeated National Champion is over.
 
#93
#93
nomads-11 said:
CJH revamped the offense in the off-season, made it a point, brought in a former coach? to help with that. I'd say it was successful, thankfully, however they did it.

As for the defense - you see consistent problems. The secondary struggles in zone, general coverage and when the front 4 doesn't get home. Overall, the back 7 are really bad about tackling - and, IMO, some of that is you're not where you're supposed to be. This is Martinez's second stint here with the exact same results, bad. I think Banks can call a defense - but it just breaks down from player through staff.

So if you're not firing anyone (though Martinez is at the top of my list) you HAVE TO do something. Bring in consultants to improve zone defense and tackling, to critically review defensive calls and a safety/DB that can play at this level. You did it for the offense.....now do SOMETHING for the defense.
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Orgeron is looking for a job.
 
#94
#94
Behr said:
He aint perfect. This is big boy football and hes dealing with it best he can. I have no clue if he'll ever get it ALL ironed out but if he doesn't, it aint because he doesn't care.

Im enjoying the ride. When someone figures out how to change anything with a stroke of a keyboard let me know and Ill chip in.
Click to expand...

I’ll send you my plan from my AOL email. You’ll see it soon!
 
#95
#95
VolByBirth said:
Honest question (some data first):

- In 2023 and 2024 we had the 7th and 6th ranked defense nationally (YPG).

- We lose two of our best defenders and potential first round draft picks at the same position — making an entire unit of our D vulnerable and imbalanced (which impacts run and pass game).

So, is it the contention of the board that:

1). Banks somehow sucks as a coach all of the sudden after two solid years?

2). He should have enough depth by now that injuries aren’t an excuse?

3). Something else?
Click to expand...
Don't know where you got your numbers, but these come from the NCAA website:

2023 2024 2025
Points allowed per game 20.3 (23) 16.1 (7) 30.4 (110)
Yards allowed per game 335.2 (32) 293.1 (6) 401.5 (99)
Rushing yards allowed per game 113.7 (21) 103.7 (10) 133.7 (53)
Passing yards allowed per game 221.5 (64) 191.7 (29) 257.1 (117)

So, in 2023 UT did not have the #6/7 ranked defense. Decent, maybe good, but not Top 10.

In 2024, UT had a Top 10 defense.

In 2025, the UT defense has sank to an almost unbelievable low.

One thing I would like to point out is that in PYAPG, UT has averaged giving up over 220 YPG, and has ranked 64th, 29th, and 117th (so far) in the last 3 years.

If I were looking for a limb that needed to be trimmed on the UT coaching tree, I'd know right where to make the first cut.

Then again, I'm wrong a lot.

Edit: I had the numbers arranged in vertical rows, but when I post it, it compresses. Sorry 'bout that.
 
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#96
#96
volfan102455 said:
I don't know - he has always seemed like one who wanted to win games. I do think a lot of coaches will eventually find the whole portal / NIL situation tiresome and not worth it.

I also believe at some point, at least in the SEC, coaches and fans are going to realize that a 12-0 season is no longer attainable unless you just get lucky and have the best schedule for a year. Given the 9 game schedule with the fact that you can only schedule 2 cupcakes, we are going to see the best teams at 10-2 and 9-3 in the SEC.

The days of aspiring to be that undefeated National Champion is over.
Click to expand...

I wholly agree here. I think the danger of the expanded playoff is 1 or even 2 losses won’t eliminate you from contending for a playoff spot. When you know you have that runway, it’s not hard to gather that some coaches lose that intensity week in and week out.

Also agree on the era of NIL/Portal. Something will have to change. I saw Calipari on a pod the other day talking about his proposed changes for the NIL for basketball but not hard to modify or tweak for football. The Wild West needs to end and get some structure.

  • One transfer without penalty: A player can transfer one time without penalty, immediately becoming eligible at the new school.
  • Subsequent transfers: After the first transfer, any additional transfers would require a player to sit out a year.
  • Five years to play four: He advocates for the rule that allows players five years to complete four seasons of play, but wants to remove the ability for players to transfer multiple times and immediately play each year.
 
#99
#99
JMSqb11 said:
I wholly agree here. I think the danger of the expanded playoff is 1 or even 2 losses won’t eliminate you from contending for a playoff spot. When you know you have that runway, it’s not hard to gather that some coaches lose that intensity week in and week out.

Also agree on the era of NIL/Portal. Something will have to change. I saw Calipari on a pod the other day talking about his proposed changes for the NIL for basketball but not hard to modify or tweak for football. The Wild West needs to end and get some structure.

  • One transfer without penalty: A player can transfer one time without penalty, immediately becoming eligible at the new school.
  • Subsequent transfers: After the first transfer, any additional transfers would require a player to sit out a year.
  • Five years to play four: He advocates for the rule that allows players five years to complete four seasons of play, but wants to remove the ability for players to transfer multiple times and immediately play each year.
Click to expand...
The only way to limit player movement is to sign them to contracts, make them employees. The NCAA knew it was going to lose in court, so it settled with the DOJ, allowing unlimited transfers without penalty.
 
#100
#100
NEO said:
Dude no one is crying. This is a football team we follow. It’s not personal.

And crap is crap. Sunseri was soft crap and we are liquid crap. When you take a crap you don’t differentiate. You just know it needs flushed.

This defense needs flushed.
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Did you watch Sunseri’s defenses? They were made of an entirely different more abhorrent substance.
 
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