Bill Haslam on Butch Jones

[Volsfaninva917]

http://www.tennessean.com/story/spo...-nfl-protests-butch-jones-and-more/702946001/

Q: Back to Tennessee football, what do you think of that program, where it is and the job Butch Jones is doing?

A: “Well, Tennessee football has unparalleled tradition, facilities and program infrastructure. As somebody who grew up caring about Tennessee football, you always want to make certain that we’re a competitive, top-ranked team. It’s also important to that part of the state economically. I used to be the mayor of Knoxville, you could track tax receipts for good seasons, and when the Vols did well people spent more money on hotels, more money in restaurants, they’d buy more merchandise, etc. It’s important to that part of the state and the state as a whole. I’m like everybody else, I enjoy it when Tennessee is having a season where we’re a top-ranked team, and I think most people feel that’s where Tennessee should be. As governor, it’s not my role to comment on anything beyond that, except to say … I think coach Jones is working hard to build the right kind of program. Where players graduate, where players are great citizens off the field, and that they also win on the field. And I think there’s probably nobody more frustrated with the last two weeks than coach Jones. And I know that he understands how important it is that Tennessee be a top-ranked program.”

 

[jbr82]

The Haslams are main reason for TN downfall imo.

And CBJ would be a great special team coach or academic advisor imo

 

[ATLVols]

Doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement. If he was excited about where things are, he would have said more. Good political comment to not really say anything.

 

[volfannbama]

And the kiss of death has officially begun

 

[wmcovol]

Doesn't sound like a ringing endorsement. If he was excited about where things are, he would have said more. Good political comment to not really say anything.

Sounds like Haslam isn't just looking at the won/loss record right now. He wouldn't have mentioned the others issues if that wasn't a factor. If they fire him now, it will appear that those things aren't important and no politician wants that appearence.

 

[JohnWardForever]

Are we to believe that Haslam didn't play a large roll in Butch Being Hired? C'MON MAN. They Control UT!

 

[JohnD13]

Wrong Haslam.

 

[Volsfaninva917]

Wrong Haslam.

Do you really think Jimmy Haslam is going to come out and say " I love butch jones"

 

[EastT]

Haslam? Browns? Jones?, we should be just hours away from illicit photos with a shark in Cleveland TN

 

[90 Vol]

And the kiss of death has officially begun

Yep!

 

[BeecherVol]

Wrong Haslam.

True.

But I wouldn't make the mistake in thinking his opinion is no different than mine.

 

[allvol123]

The Haslams.

Is there a family that spends more on football and gets less in results. Doubtful

 

[hohenfelsvol]

True.

But I wouldn't make the mistake in thinking his opinion is no different than mine.

Telling comment on high level performance brings in more revenue to the state.

 

[quadlee21]

The way i read into that is I think they may have already gotten word to CBJ and that is probably the reason he has completely went crazy in the last few days. I am telling you his days are numbered........ The sheep refuse to believe it tho

 

[JettVol]

The Haslams are main reason for TN downfall imo.

And CBJ would be a great special team coach or academic advisor imo

recruiting coordinator

 

[BeecherVol]

Telling comment on high level performance brings in more revenue to the state.

Yeah.

Not sure why you mention that just out of the blue.

 

[CAVPUT]

What would folks expect him to say?

 

[IN Jed]

Maybe, just maybe it was a beautiful prelude to help people understand that sometimes it's more economical in the long run to pay a buyout now in order to generate more revenue later. Or in this case avoid too much lost revenue in the short term.

But it was probably just a vague political comment without meaning.

 

[BeecherVol]

What would folks expect him to say?

The last portion of his comments about Jones would seem to suffice.

 

[butchna]

Ok?

 

[sjt18]

Are we to believe that Haslam didn't play a large roll in Butch Being Hired? C'MON MAN. They Control UT!

Of course he did. UT hired a mid-major coach with significant questions of ability to coach a roster with bunches of holes in it and hopefully stabilize things. Jones did that. Now the question Haslam and those with the power to effect change have to ask is "Can Jones move the program forward and if not am I willing to spend the money to hire someone who can?"

The fact that he said Jones was trying and not that he was doing it... speaks volumes coming from a politician.

 

[sjt18]

And I know that he understands how important it is that Tennessee be a top-ranked program.”

I strongly suspect that he either told Jones this directly or was there when it was said.

This is something you say about a sales rep who isn't meeting his sales goals. "I know Bob understands how important achieving $XXXXXXX in sales is to the company". That's another way of saying "Get busy Bob".

 

[1725gatorhater]

The Haslams are main reason for TN downfall imo.

And CBJ would be a great special team coach or academic advisor imo

I agree . I wished Charles Ergen would step up and over take Haslam decisions... Mr. Ergen net worth is like 3 times what the Haslam brothers are worth.

 

[Vol_atile]

The Haslams are main reason for TN downfall imo.

And CBJ would be a great special team coach or academic advisor imo

Or a used car salesman.

 

[Dudleys87]

Consider this the clock starting on the end of jones career