What is there to lose?
I'm starting to feel like you here. I'm going to vent, so bear with me.....
In the end, if its not Gruden, I fear that not a single soul will be happy with what me might have to end up with.
The saddest of affairs is if we hang out so much money and not a single top notch coach wants it, then UT Football is done. We are not as great of a destination as we all want to believe.
All this conference realignment going on. I mean, hey - why not just bale. Big East has some openings now, or Conference USA, or maybe even the MAC. Shoot, we could take A&M's place over in the Big 12. Why not?
If we get another sub par coach, the mighty Vols need to except their fate that Vanderbilt now represents the best of Tennessee in the SEC. If it's a money issue, think of the revenue we could get playing SEC teams. Consult Southern Miss, and La Tech, UAB on how to rake in the cash being an SEC patsy.
I say, leave. If you can't pony up for a decent coach, just go ahead and bail.
Kiffin - A losing record before he got to Knoxville (born on third base and thinks he hit a home run). USC is finding out that he and Pop's are losers from the git go.
Dooley, A losing record before he landed here. Hell of a nice guy, maybe too nice.
Storyline from me: It'S ABOUT RECRUITING. Period. Case in point, Chizic (also a loser before he came to Auburn). Cam Newton made him look like a genius, and I'd wager to bet that Fulmer's glory years weren't so much about coaching but about talent.
You have to get the name that excites the 18 year old kids that you are drawing from. Gruden can do that IMMEDIATELY with the same authority that Saban does.
All these other guys, I fear we are in for another lame coach. It's been more than 5 years now since times were even close to good. Can we afford another 5? I think not.
So go ahead Hart, get a bargain basement coach and watch him grow. Neyland stadium rocked for 1 half against Florida, and I smiled. I'd forgotten what that was like. Seems dreamlike now.
I know this is negative - I'm not a Vandy home boy.. All Orange here. But damn.. this is frustrating as hell. Had to vent.