PEPPERJAX
Let's Do A Ritual....
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Which really has nothing at all to do with potential. In fact, the simple reality that UT STILL has a nationwide fanbase and the kind of support that they have even after that 15 years... is a good indicator that we will endure and demand until they get it right.I don’t agree with the assessment.
But, there is a difference between being mediocre for 8 years with a couple of good years sprinkled in and being terrible for a decade and a half.
The problem with a lot of the comparisons to other programs that are often made is that either (a) they weren’t nearly as bad as what Tennessee has been or (b) they weren’t as bad as long.
There is always someone better out there. Every great sports athlete and coach knows that. Hence why schools are constantly hiring coordinators from Alabama hoping it will be a protégé of Nick Saban. Chances are it won’t.After the last decade he may not be terribly far off. There is not another Saban out there.
It's neither as bad as he makes it sound or as good as OP and others would probably hope. We are at a fundamental disadvantage to Florida and Georgia because of their recruiting bases and status as flagship schools in state's full of talent. We can reach a 90's type state if we can be consistent but as long as Florida and Georgia are competently coached we are going to lose to either or both of them more often than not. If one or both get a crappy coach, there's our window. If we get a window, we get in there and we fight like hell to hang onto it, but if either or both become competently coached again, we'll have trouble holding them off in the division. Unless there is a fundamental demographic shift in the recruiting bases, that's the reality of our situation. It's more or less been this way since black people started playing football. When that happened Florida and Georgia's advantage kicked in. Our 90's run was brought on by a long period of stability and good coaching, Georgia, Clemson and LSU were all simultaneously down in the 90's and we took advantage, when Richt got to Georgia, Meyer to Florida and Saban/Miles at LSU that started to knock us back down the ladder. With all that said though, there is no reason for us to be as bad as we have been. We have had piss poor coaching since Fulmer was fired. If we had a decent coach we should be beating South Carolina, Kentucky, Vandy, Missouri, et al. nearly all the time, we should average between 7-9 wins with an occasional spike up to 11 and maybe a fall to 5-6 every now and then. As it is we haven't even been .500 since we fired Fulmer, that is underperforming at Tennessee, big time.
Florida had a string of really bad coaches. Florida being down doesn't help us as much as Georgia being down does because of proximity. Unfortunately Georgia has had Richt and Smart for 20 years and both are better than average coaches/recruiters.Florida is lucky that Florida State has sucked recently. When FSU had Jimbo a few years ago the Gators were throwing up a 4 win season.
Alabama did not go 15+ years. Where do you all get this from?
Florida had a string of really bad coaches. Florida being down doesn't help us as much as Georgia being down does because of proximity. Unfortunately Georgia has had Richt and Smart for 20 years and both are better than average coaches/recruiters.
I don’t agree with the assessment.
But, there is a difference between being mediocre for 8 years with a couple of good years sprinkled in and being terrible for a decade and a half.
The problem with a lot of the comparisons to other programs that are often made is that either (a) they weren’t nearly as bad as what Tennessee has been or (b) they weren’t as bad as long.
I don’t agree with the assessment.
But, there is a difference between being mediocre for 8 years with a couple of good years sprinkled in and being terrible for a decade and a half.
The problem with a lot of the comparisons to other programs that are often made is that either (a) they weren’t nearly as bad as what Tennessee has been or (b) they weren’t as bad as long.
Listen lizard, the problem wasnt with the talent level. It was coaching and the shift at the president/chancellor level that screwed Vols football. You give Saban the talent that Butch Jones had and he wins with it. Especially with the total backing from the whole university.Alabama did not go 15+ years. Where do you all get this from?
Stallings won in the national championship and the SEC in 1992. Dubose won the SEC and went to the Orange Bowl in 99'. They were on probation and were ineligible or they would have gone to the SEC championship game in 02', Saban went to the SEC championship game in 08' and lost, Saban won the SEC in 09' along with the national championship. Our drought has not had these sort of bright spots.Stallings won a SECC in 92. Dubose won one in '97. Saban won his first in what, 2011? Bama won 1 SEC title in 19years.
This is what matters. College programs won't be successful winning programs just because of who they are or what their name is. Several schools have reached the highest highs only to fall into mediocrity or worse after a coaching change.If UT hires a good coach the program can make themselves relevant sooner rather than later. The school made UT football irrelevant by hiring horrible coaches. Landing a quality AD today was a huge step in the right direction.
Tennessee has had some decent years sprinkled in as well. 2007 won the East, 2015 and 2016 were disappointing, but still solid years. Don’t wanna hear anything about being bad for too long from a gator fan. Florida has been bad or mediocre for most of their history.I don’t agree with the assessment.
But, there is a difference between being mediocre for 8 years with a couple of good years sprinkled in and being terrible for a decade and a half.
The problem with a lot of the comparisons to other programs that are often made is that either (a) they weren’t nearly as bad as what Tennessee has been or (b) they weren’t as bad as long.