As a older Alum........

[Vol4ever]

at 56 almost 57 years of age I have accepted the fact that the University of Tennessee may never be elite in football. The administrative goofs and hires over the years are all the proof that is needed. The AD department is a complete mismanaged unit. UT and its boosters are not interested in putting the money and work in to be elite. When is the last time we won the East or a SECCG?

Quit wasting your time worrying about that special hire because its just not going to happen.

We are and will be a middle of the pack team for quite a while until the thought process changes at UT.

Enjoy the program for what it is and support the players for choosing UT as their school.

 

[A-RodWiLks]

Truth hurts...

 

[SDV]

We were elite in the 90s, but haven't been since 2001. Makes me really miss what we once were and could be. I actually feel sorry for our younger alumni and fans. Seems like we keep wallowing around in mediocrity with no end in sight.

 

[m1al]

Pretty much where I'm at these days.. Freak should sticky this.....

 

[Boca Vol]

We were elite in the 90s, but haven't been since 2001. Makes me really miss what we once were and could be. I actually feel sorry for our younger alumni and fans. Seems like we keep wallowing around in mediocrity with no end in sight.

Yes, UT was elite in the '90's but still 2nd fiddle to UF. Sadly, if VN existed back then the reactions would be similar to now, IMO.

 

['Boro-vol]

Good plan. Let's lower our standards, give up our position as a traditional power, because being more than average has become too hard.

I'm feeling it.

 

[Dudleys87]

Good plan. Let's lower our standards, give up our position as a traditional power, because being more than average has become too hard.

I'm feeling it.

They've embraced the Kentucky mindset of years past.

"Just make it to 6-6 to make a bowl"

 

[CAVPUT]

We were elite in the 90s, but haven't been since 2001. Makes me really miss what we once were and could be. I actually feel sorry for our younger alumni and fans. Seems like we keep wallowing around in mediocrity with no end in sight.

The 90s were the exception not the norm for our program. Look back at the records. As for that run, we signed a generational talent in Peyton who turned into the piper for recruiting talent. In addition, UGA was down along with other programs with fertile recruiting areas. UT took great advantage of that situation. The league and recruiting landscape has changed. Not saying we won't win at that level again, but in the SEC, it won't be easy. We went what....50 years between national titles? Folks need to appreciate what we have and understand we don't get 10-11 win seasons as a birthright.

 

['Boro-vol]

They've embraced the Kentucky mindset of years past.

"Just make it to 6-6 to make a bowl"

Bowl Games are the ultimate reward for being Champions of Life. Don't marginilize their importance.

Show some respect.

 

[hohenfelsvol]

Lost of opportunity of this year is what is the most aggravating. We got out coached and beat by two schools that could only reach 6-6 during the regular season. And next year it will be something else on why we couldn't achieve the goal. As the OP suggested, I will enjoy the football program but until changes are made I have no hope on reaching any level of success above what the program achieved this year.

 

[m1al]

Good plan. Let's lower our standards, give up our position as a traditional power, because being more than average has become too hard.

I'm feeling it.

It seems to be what the people running UT are "feeling"..

It's frustrating as hell as a fan knowing about all I can do is not give them my money..

I'd piss on a spark plug if I thought it would help....

 

['Boro-vol]

The 90s were the exception not the norm for our program. Look back at the records. As for that run, we signed a generational talent in Peyton who turned into the piper for recruiting talent. In addition, UGA was down along with other programs with fertile recruiting areas. UT took great advantage of that situation. The league and recruiting landscape has changed. Not saying we won't win at that level again, but in the SEC, it won't be easy. We went what....50 years between national titles? Folks need to appreciate what we have and understand we don't get 10-11 win seasons as a birthright.

You certainly don't get 10-11 win seasons (and championship opportunities) without prioritizing their importance.

It's borderline criminal to pay for the type of facilities we have, the recruiting budget, and the cost of operations, if we're to be happy at the middle of the pack. We can win 8 games, if that's the goal, while spending a lot less money. If we're going to to that let's drop out of the SEC and join the Conference USA.

 

[chad4930]

Good plan. Let's lower our standards, give up our position as a traditional power, because being more than average has become too hard.

I'm feeling it.

But, Tennessee is not a traditional power any longer. The question that needs to be answered by the administration is how much do they care about being a powerhouse? We as fans want what Alabama has going but what I see coming from the hill has nothing to do with climbing back to that level.:bash:

 

['Boro-vol]

It seems to be what the people running UT are "feeling"..

It's frustrating as hell as a fan knowing about all I can do is not give them my money..

I'd piss on a spark plug if I thought it would help....

Perhaps putting an ad in the news paper, and taking up donations for that sparkplug stunt would be a good start.

I like it. You're engaged and seeking solutions.

 

['Boro-vol]

But, Tennessee is not a traditional power any longer. The question that needs to be answered by the administration is how much do they care about being a powerhouse? We as fans want what Alabama has going but what I see coming from the hill has nothing to do with climbing back to that level.:bash:

Nobody rational sees Alabama level success as the goal. They have become a self-sustaining, perpetual motion machine (which started by thinking BIG about a coach). They are an anomaly in the entire landscape of college football. Thinking people understand that.

I think we are looking for LSU, Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State type results. Traditionally we are that type of program, whether we want to accept it or not. We want to be relevant and compete with the top 10-15 programs in the country. That will occasionally get you in the bigger conversation. That's enough....But right now there isn't a commitment to that from the coach, administration, and apparently many of the fans.

 

[orangesoda]

at 56 almost 57 years of age I have accepted the fact that the University of Tennessee may never be elite in football. The administrative goofs and hires over the years are all the proof that is needed. The AD department is a complete mismanaged unit. UT and its boosters are not interested in putting the money and work in to be elite. When is the last time we won the East or a SECCG?

Quit wasting your time worrying about that special hire because its just not going to happen.

We are and will be a middle of the pack team for quite a while until the thought process changes at UT.

Enjoy the program for what it is and support the players for choosing UT as their school.

Sad but true!

 

[KnoxLandcruiser]

To me, this AD hire is the litmus test for the school's commitment to winning football. If they snub Blackburn I think we can assume athletics is just not a priority.

 

[VolBricks]

I think what we are seeing is just like the pro's. There is parity in all football now. Mostly because 18 year old kids do not want to wait a year or two to play. They want playing time now. So they go to "Lesser not traditional power" schools for playing time. Thus it is now harder to be a power in football every year.

 

[livefaith]

Pretty good points OP. But remember, "Never" is a long time.

 

[FLVOL_79]

Living vicariously through sports is bad for your health..

 

[sona]

Is it too much to expect that we remain the undisputed best team in our state? I think there is a huge disconnect between what the administration is willing to strive for and what UT fans want. At this point, I can understand not beating juggernauts like Bama, but I will never accept losing to $#|% tier teams like USCe, Vandy(!), etc.

It just isn't the VOLS many of us grew up with. Beating Florida once a decade and losing to garbage programs, struggling mightily to beat the likes of Appy State...I can't accept it. Apparently the powers that be on The Hill can and will continue to do so.

GBO!

 

[Pacer92]

Is it too much to expect that we remain the undisputed best team in our state? I think there is a huge disconnect between what the administration is willing to strive for and what UT fans want. At this point, I can understand not beating juggernauts like Bama, but I will never accept losing to $#|% tier teams like USCe, Vandy(!), etc.

It just isn't the VOLS many of us grew up with. Beating Florida once a decade and losing to garbage programs, struggling mightily to beat the likes of Appy State...I can't accept it. Apparently the powers that be on The Hill can and will continue to do so.

GBO!

Agree...good post!

 

[Tin Man]

at 56 almost 57 years of age...

Whippersnapper.

 

[goooooovols]

Nobody rational sees Alabama level success as the goal. They have become a self-sustaining, perpetual motion machine (which started by thinking BIG about a coach). They are an anomaly in the entire landscape of college football. Thinking people understand that.

I think we are looking for LSU, Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State type results. Traditionally we are that type of program, whether we want to accept it or not. We want to be relevant and compete with the top 10-15 programs in the country. That will occasionally get you in the bigger conversation. That's enough....But right now there isn't a commitment to that from the coach, administration, and apparently many of the fans.

Do you truly feel the coaches at any of the above programs are much better than Butch (serious question)...we bag on the guy but Clemson used to be known for "Clemsoning" things up, the "hat" was a loose canon and they hired Ed Orgeron for Christ sakes..., Oklahoma has threatened to fire Bob Stoops on multiple occasions because of 2-3 uncalled for, out of the blue loses per year as has Florida State! My point is no one is truly ELITE besides Alabama... in recent years even the Ohio State fans have called for Urban's head because they have failed to win multiple championships?

I think the major difference in their cases and us is that all have recruited extremely well in regardless of results, even LSU has had decently highly touted QB recruits despite a known fact that they have been horrible in developing the position.

Maybe we all need to just give Butch more time and support, maybe we are just about to turn the corner?

 

[Rudy123]

at 56 almost 57 years of age I have accepted the fact that the University of Tennessee may never be elite in football. The administrative goofs and hires over the years are all the proof that is needed. The AD department is a complete mismanaged unit. UT and its boosters are not interested in putting the money and work in to be elite. When is the last time we won the East or a SECCG?

Quit wasting your time worrying about that special hire because its just not going to happen.

We are and will be a middle of the pack team for quite a while until the thought process changes at UT.

Enjoy the program for what it is and support the players for choosing UT as their school.

I lived in the Knoxville area from 1978 - 1981. I would listen to one or two games a year on the radio, but I was not a die hard fan. Hell, I was only 15 years old.
I joined the Marines and returned to Tennessee in 1992. I saw two games from 1981 - 1992. One was the U.T. vs. Colorado game and the other was the Sugar Bowl.
My expectations for the program was for us to have at least 8 win seasons and a bowl victory to make 9 wins for the season.
However; there are now more teams in the conference. There is an SECCG and more t.v. exposure.
My minimal expectation is still 9 wins to include a bowl victory. If we get to the SECCG once every 7 years, then that is good. If the stars align and we schedule is good, we have good players and we win the SEC, then that is better.