Best Thing Heupel Said in Press Conference ...

[DiderotsGhost]

I'm not going to read too much into an introductory press conference. It doesn't tell you too much about how a coach will do. But there's one thing that's been bugging me the past year and I'm glad Heupel addressed it.

"I'd like to close the borders."

As in, he thinks Tennessee should be getting the best players in the state of Tennessee. It's embarrassing how much Tennessee talent Pruitt did not even bother to seriously recruit. I understand Pruitt was looking more for "fit" than geography, but I also think that's part of the reason we're seeing the current exodus of players; they aren't loyal to the university and the state.

Not saying we need an entire class of Tennessee players, but it annoys me to no end that we currently only have 1 player committed out of the top 10 in Tennessee for 2021. Clemson has more top players out of TN than we do! It's doubly ridiculous because this is the most talent Tennessee has ever had, and we're ceding it to everyone else!

Glad Heupel wants to put a wall back around Tennessee!

 

[peaygolf]

Sounds like Schnenberger and the "State of Miami"

they got everyone from Tampa, Orlando, and south of that

 

[MSrivervol]

build the wall

 

[UT Hill Man]

 

[EtowahVol]

Hope he brings Randy Shannon.

 

[wrharvey21]

Disagree. I thought the best thing he said is that he needs a championship caliber QB to chase championships. That was so refreshing to hear after the previous staff's handling of QBs.

 

[GreyWolf1129]

Didn't Kiffin say the same thing? Something about "building a fence around Tennessee?

 

[wmcovol]

I also liked what he said about adapting your coaching style to the talent you have. Good coaches do that instead of forcing square pegs in round holes.....

 

[DiderotsGhost]

Didn't Kiffin say the same thing? Something about "building a fence around Tennessee?

Yes. And to Butch's credit, he did as well.

Pruitt really did not seem to care about recruiting Tennessee. He went after top recruits for sure, but just ignored a ton of top in-state talent because it didn't 'fit his system'.

There's a balance for sure, but I don't think "the balance" is letting 9 out of the top 10 of your state's players go elsewhere.

 

[Godfatha]

Yes. And to Butch's credit, he did as well.

Pruitt really did not seem to care about recruiting Tennessee. He went after top recruits for sure, but just ignored a ton of top in-state talent because it didn't 'fit his system'.

There's a balance for sure, but I don't think "the balance" is letting 9 out of the top 10 of your state's players go elsewhere.

What the hell was Pruitt’s system anyway?

 

[qwik_kick]

I liked he said the biggest difference in SEC vs his former conference is line of scrimmage play. Now let's hope he does something to improve our play up front on both sides of the ball.

 

[hUTch2002]

I'm not going to read too much into an introductory press conference. It doesn't tell you too much about how a coach will do. But there's one thing that's been bugging me the past year and I'm glad Heupel addressed it.

"I'd like to close the borders."

As in, he thinks Tennessee should be getting the best players in the state of Tennessee. It's embarrassing how much Tennessee talent Pruitt did not even bother to seriously recruit. I understand Pruitt was looking more for "fit" than geography, but I also think that's part of the reason we're seeing the current exodus of players; they aren't loyal to the university and the state.

Not saying we need an entire class of Tennessee players, but it annoys me to no end that we currently only have 1 player committed out of the top 10 in Tennessee for 2021. Clemson has more top players out of TN than we do! It's doubly ridiculous because this is the most talent Tennessee has ever had, and we're ceding it to everyone else!

Glad Heupel wants to put a wall back around Tennessee!

Dang, I was hoping he meant he wanted to close the borders around Florida.

 

[driscokid]

I'm not going to read too much into an introductory press conference. It doesn't tell you too much about how a coach will do. But there's one thing that's been bugging me the past year and I'm glad Heupel addressed it.

"I'd like to close the borders."

As in, he thinks Tennessee should be getting the best players in the state of Tennessee. It's embarrassing how much Tennessee talent Pruitt did not even bother to seriously recruit. I understand Pruitt was looking more for "fit" than geography, but I also think that's part of the reason we're seeing the current exodus of players; they aren't loyal to the university and the state.

Not saying we need an entire class of Tennessee players, but it annoys me to no end that we currently only have 1 player committed out of the top 10 in Tennessee for 2021. Clemson has more top players out of TN than we do! It's doubly ridiculous because this is the most talent Tennessee has ever had, and we're ceding it to everyone else!

Glad Heupel wants to put a wall back around Tennessee!

They all say that but at least he doesn’t say “aight” or anything about “bricks”

 

[coffeevol]

"Close the borders and keep the talent in state"
-Fulmer
-Kiffin
-Dooley
-Butch
-Pruitt
-New Guy
-Next Guy
-Guy after that

 

[GetEmVols]

Didn't Kiffin say the same thing? Something about "building a fence around Tennessee?

yep and he did for one year

 

[GetEmVols]

His many times times did he say aight though

 

[DiderotsGhost]

"Close the borders and keep the talent in state"
-Fulmer
-Kiffin
-Dooley
-Butch
-Pruitt
-New Guy
-Next Guy
-Guy after that

Pruitt and Dooley never said it.

Dooley outright alienated most of the in-state high school coaches.

And Pruitt just hasn't made in-state players a priority (weirdly). Explicitly said he was more concerned with a fit for what he wanted than where they played HS. I'm not saying Pruitt was totally wrong, but watching 9 out of the top 10 players in the state leave just seems wrong. If they were good enough for Clemson and Ohio State, they were certainly good enough for UT.

 

[uncle chewii]

I like he said that he'd like to and that is not going to close the borders because he knows what he is walking into as to how far TN has fell. It also shows that he isn't going to offer a guy just because he's from TN and he is going to offer guys that will work for him.

 

[ScottyG210]

Didn't Kiffin say the same thing? Something about "building a fence around Tennessee?

He wasn't here long enough to set the posts in that fence, took off before the concrete set.

 

[DrTNT]

I'm not going to read too much into an introductory press conference. It doesn't tell you too much about how a coach will do. But there's one thing that's been bugging me the past year and I'm glad Heupel addressed it.

"I'd like to close the borders."

As in, he thinks Tennessee should be getting the best players in the state of Tennessee. It's embarrassing how much Tennessee talent Pruitt did not even bother to seriously recruit. I understand Pruitt was looking more for "fit" than geography, but I also think that's part of the reason we're seeing the current exodus of players; they aren't loyal to the university and the state.

Not saying we need an entire class of Tennessee players, but it annoys me to no end that we currently only have 1 player committed out of the top 10 in Tennessee for 2021. Clemson has more top players out of TN than we do! It's doubly ridiculous because this is the most talent Tennessee has ever had, and we're ceding it to everyone else!

Glad Heupel wants to put a wall back around Tennessee!

One thing I really liked that he said when asked about former players, saying they’re welcome back here anytime! I think that would really help culture at the program.

 

[bleedorange9995]

I also liked what he said about adapting your coaching style to the talent you have. Good coaches do that instead of forcing square pegs in round holes.....

Liked this one too

 

[RobertPellitt]

View attachment 345963

He may not. He may. I only see that he is more experienced at winning than any of our other four hires, and possibly five when we hired Fulmer. Play the games and let's see what happens.

 

[scvol98]

Best thing was what he DIDN'T say... The word RESILIENCY was not used one time.

 

[Vols1313]

I'm not going to read too much into an introductory press conference. It doesn't tell you too much about how a coach will do. But there's one thing that's been bugging me the past year and I'm glad Heupel addressed it.

"I'd like to close the borders."

As in, he thinks Tennessee should be getting the best players in the state of Tennessee. It's embarrassing how much Tennessee talent Pruitt did not even bother to seriously recruit. I understand Pruitt was looking more for "fit" than geography, but I also think that's part of the reason we're seeing the current exodus of players; they aren't loyal to the university and the state.

Not saying we need an entire class of Tennessee players, but it annoys me to no end that we currently only have 1 player committed out of the top 10 in Tennessee for 2021. Clemson has more top players out of TN than we do! It's doubly ridiculous because this is the most talent Tennessee has ever had, and we're ceding it to everyone else!

Glad Heupel wants to put a wall back around Tennessee!

Build the wall

 

[PennVol]

Must happen, what other coaches did not realize is that not recruiting a kid in Nashville, Chatty, Memphis or K-town because they are not a good fit decreases your ability to come back to that school and recruit the next star who comes out of that school. You can't just ignore a school or High school coach b/c right now there not kids who fit on your team, you have to sow seeds where everyone in the state has a great relationship with you. It shouldn't be hard considering most of those coaches likely are Tennessee "fans".