Trooper Taylor wears his hat backwards and he is over the age of 16. No.
Surprised your on the message board at this time, sir. If you don't hurry up you'll miss the early bird dinner specials, and then you won't be able to make your normal 4:30 PM bed time
Seriously, let's not select coaches based on their attire. Instead of Jon Gruden we'll end up with Martha Stewart!
Gents if you haven't been around for awhile, meaning actually watching Richmond Flowers play (which I did), we have a serious faction, not necessarily the most tolerant or broad minded people on the Earth, but well meaning Vol fans that gnash their teeth when they:
1. see jersey numerals outlined in black
2. hear the "woo" syncopated during Rocky Top
3. receive heat palpitations and require hospitalization when we broke out the Halloween uniforms
4. see a young coach wearing his hat backwards and does not comport himself and his enthusiasm for the game the same way Bear Bryant did feeding worms this past Saturday.
You get me?
From wiki -
"During his time in Knoxville, he mentored NFL backs Cedric Houston and Gerald Riggs Jr., who became Tennessees only pair of 1,000-yard rushers in the same season in 2004. He also coached future NFL wide receiver Robert Meachem to All-America honors in 2006. Meachem was part of a trio of Vols receivers including Jayson Swain and Bret Smith that caught a combined 159 receptions for 2,439 yards and 22 touchdowns. With all three players gone in 2007, Taylor mentored the new pass-catching trio of Lucas Taylor, Austin Rogers and Josh Briscoe to a combined 175 catches for 2,130 yards and 14 touchdowns."
What are the chances that "any" new coach is able to get Trooper Taylor back here at Tennessee? I always liked him and think he connected well with the players and they played hard in large part for him. I can't think of anything Taylor did that showed him being inept, what are your thoughts?
In addition, I remember reading awhile back that Eric Berry's twin brothers were leaning towards Auburn, in large part because of Trooper Taylor. I think it's clear to say the whole Auburn staff will be gone after this year so Taylor will be available.
One thing I'm not sure of though, what would be his job/position? He left here because he was overlooked for offensive coordinator. I really don't see Trooper Taylor as a coordinator, but I think he would make a solid head coach one day. Would love to have him back at Tennessee in some capacity.
Gents if you haven't been around for awhile, meaning actually watching Richmond Flowers play (which I did), we have a serious faction, not necessarily the most tolerant or broad minded people on the Earth, but well meaning Vol fans that gnash their teeth when they:
1. see jersey numerals outlined in black
2. hear the "woo" syncopated during Rocky Top
3. receive heat palpitations and require hospitalization when we broke out the Halloween uniforms
4. see a young coach wearing his hat backwards and does not comport himself and his enthusiasm for the game the same way Bear Bryant did feeding worms this past Saturday.
You get me?
Let's be honest...would anyone be THAT upset if they had just "heard" that Trooper dropped off a bag of money at Cecil Newton's church, but didn't get caught? It's the fact that he got caught that makes it so atrocious?
Let me ask you this...if someone guaranteed you that you would not get caught, but that if you bought some game-changing athlete some expensive material object they would come to your university, you wouldn't do it? I know I would do it in a heartbeat.
These kids are 17,18 years old. They aren't adults. What do 60-70% of them care about? What did you care about at that age? Girls? Money? Just think about it.
It's not that far-fetched to consider an assistant coach who understands what these kids desire trying to get that for them if they'll come play at your school.
Aren't we all "recruited" like that in the real world (or atleast in theory)? Companies vying to get the best employees out there by offering them higher-paying jobs, investments, material things, etc.? Don't act all high and mighty like this is absurd to think about. It happens every single day all around us.
From wiki -
"During his time in Knoxville, he mentored NFL backs Cedric Houston and Gerald Riggs Jr., who became Tennessees only pair of 1,000-yard rushers in the same season in 2004. He also coached future NFL wide receiver Robert Meachem to All-America honors in 2006. Meachem was part of a trio of Vols receivers including Jayson Swain and Bret Smith that caught a combined 159 receptions for 2,439 yards and 22 touchdowns. With all three players gone in 2007, Taylor mentored the new pass-catching trio of Lucas Taylor, Austin Rogers and Josh Briscoe to a combined 175 catches for 2,130 yards and 14 touchdowns."
Gosh, tons of hate directed toward Trooper Taylor. I like the guy myself. I always heard good things about him from people I knew who knew him while he was here. I don't know any of the specifics of any of his infractions, but obviously recruiting at a high level requires playing loose with the rules and pushing the envelope. Look at Oregon. I wouldn't want him back right now, because we're still dealing with Kiffin era sanctions, but I don't have ill will against the guy. He did alot for our program while he was here and he was wholly invested in it.