Boosters Split Down the Haslam Line.

[chargervol]

UT Board of Trustees’ Behavior During Coaching Hire Shows a Disturbing Disconnect Between Decision…

Turns out the line between the boosters that wanted us to hire a "good coach" and those that consider the fans as the insane masses, was clearly drawn. Most here already figured as much but the reality of it all paints a possible dark future. Please remember the Governor's plan to downsize the BoT.

What you might find interesting when you look at the UT Board of Trustees is who was appointed when. Any Trustee appointed after January, 2011 was appointed by current Tennessee Governor and Chair of the UT Board of Trustees Bill Haslam. Jubran, for example, was appointed in 2012.

Charlie Anderson, a member of the BoT for a decade, was told that no one at the athletic department could give him any progress or candidates for the head football coaching job.
What?
Charlie Anderson is the Chair of the Athletics Committee on the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees.

That divide may be resolved with the FOCUS bill proposed by Governor Haslam to eradicate the “unwieldy” size of the Board of Trustees. But the only thing that’s seems to be unwieldy is the opposition to the men and women the Governor appointed himself. Nothing makes that clearer than what happened during the coaching hire.
Nothing.

I see posters on VN suggesting we put the whole thing behind us and to forget about it. I know they have good intentions but if you care about the future as well as the present, forgetting about this is the worst possible thing we could do.

Thank you Celina for the write up and to the Recruiting Forum members for bringing the article to my attention.

 

[Biopsyman]

Never forget.. those with the money make the decisions.. always.. game over

 

[NeverWe'llSever]

That FOCUS bill must be stomped on, shredded, and thrown in a fireplace.

 

[davethevol]

The Haslams have to go. They’re rotten to the core.

 

[Biopsyman]

The Haslams have to go. They’re rotten to the core.

No way.. money matters

 

[KBVol]

Never forget.. those with the money make the decisions.. always.. game over

Not as simple as that. Charlie Anderson has a ton of money but he was frozen out of both thd AD and head coach hire decisions ..... it’s more about power and control and who’ll do what to get or keep it. And some are willing to change or even break the rules to get/keep it....that’s what Celina is talking about with Haslam.

 

[Biopsyman]

There’s a reason the average Joe is not in the coaching search… No money

 

[Biopsyman]

Not as simple as that. Charlie Anderson has a ton of money but he was frozen out of both thd AD and head coach hire decisions ..... it’s more about power and control and who’ll do what to get or keep it. And some are willing to change or even break the rules to get/keep it....that’s what Celina is talking about with Haslam.

I get that is my point is people with huge amounts of money make the decisions

 

[Vols4us]

The man who gave so much financially that the ANDERSON Training Center received his name, was shut out of the discussions by the very BOT on which he holds a board seat and that he sits as Chair of the Athletics Committee. That Center is incredible and helps sell recruits on coming to UT. The arrogance of those calling the shots is through the roof. Makes it really hard to be a donor as well as a fan knowing what we know now. The name Haslam has become a scandalous word around here.

 

[chargervol]

I get that is my point is people with huge amounts of money make the decisions

But when those with the money and power are divided, that's when voters, public outcry etc., actually play a role.

As I've grown older opinions and interests have changed. Outside of family and friends, the only thing I've relished continuously is UT (especially fb). On the rare occasion when our voice counts, I have no desire to bend over for a select few and just accept their petty "my way" tantrums.
Especially when their way has proven time and again to absolutely suck.

 

[Biopsyman]

But when those with the money and power are divided, that's when voters, public outcry etc., actually play a role.

As I've grown older opinions and interests have changed. Outside of family and friends, the only thing I've relished continuously is UT (especially fb). On the rare occasion when our voice counts, I have no desire to bend over for a select few and just accept their petty "my way" tantrums.
Especially when their way has proven time and again to absolutely suck.

Until Someone else becomes the money man… Nothing will change

 

[chargervol]

Until Someone else becomes the money man… Nothing will change

That theory was tested during the search.

 

[KBVol]

I get that is my point is people with huge amounts of money make the decisions

My point is that there are a lot of people with huge amounts of money....some like Anderson are trying to make the right decisions in terms of what’s best for the program and university....others like Haslam aren’t.

 

[Biopsyman]

My point is that there are a lot of people with huge amounts of money....some like Anderson are trying to make the right decisions in terms of what’s best for the program and university....others like Haslam aren’t.

All I know is people complain about the Haslam’s and they’re there

 

[RollerVol]

while "big money" does control many things, it doesn't control whether fans support that power by attending games, buy merchandise, or provide donations...nope...

GO VOLS!

 

[chargervol]

while "big money" does control many things, it doesn't control whether fans support that power by attending games, buy merchandise, or provide donations...nope...

GO VOLS!

I believe they found that limit during the search.
State entities and politicians need the financial backing but they also have to retain constituent support. Or at least not provoke a revolt.

And as KB pointed out, when the big money is split, we have the rare circumstance of when our voice matters a little more.

 

[Biopsyman]

while "big money" does control many things, it doesn't control whether fans support that power by attending games, buy merchandise, or provide donations...nope...

GO VOLS!

Right..!but personal enjoyment and love for the university is greater than any donor. In other words don’t let one donor affect your experience and make you upset

 

[VOLINVONORE]

Never forget.. those with the money make the decisions.. always.. game over

Remember the "Golden Rule", ( Those who have the Gold make the rules). That is the rule which leads to Dictatorships in Industry, Politics, and Family. These are the environments which lead to the destruction of Democracies and our Society. We don't need it at the Federal, State, or Local levels.

 

[Biopsyman]

Remember the "Golden Rule", ( Those who have the Gold make the rules). That is the rule which leads to Dictatorships in Industry, Politics, and Family. These are the environments which lead to the destruction of Democracies and our Society. We don't need it at the Federal, State, or Local levels.

It already does.. your donation level affects your seats .. the job of AD is to raise money constantly

 

[chargervol]

I'll be honest biopsy, after reading your posts for years, I've never known you to get entangled in many debates.

I'm a little surprised this is where you decided to. Respect your opinion and admire you sticking to your guns.
Just surprised convincing others that it's pointless to side with the pro athletics side, is where you decided to take such a stand.

Either way, I respect the right to disagree but personally just can't support the 'roll over and accept it' line of thinking. Futile or not.

 

[Iam4utalways]

If Shiano had never been a coach at Penn St would he be our HC now?

"We" can go back and forth about the BoT("We" really should. From the sounds of it the Haslems are wanting to put a strangle hold on UT.)but the take away is, call UT fans "wackos" all you want, but don't think "we" will ever be underestimated again. "They" thought "they" could push thru whatever "they" want. "They" were wrong this time. Next time "they" will be ready.

Will "we"?

 

[njvols]

Never forget.. those with the money make the decisions.. always.. game over

Especially at UT and Auburn and maybe LSU...the most dysfunctional institutions with boosters who think it's "their money and their school".

 

[jakez4ut]

the haslams will never be the way "out".

that said, if there wasn't a chink in the armour applied during the search, Sigmon would be our AD, and who knows would be the head coach.

imo, what we have seen happen, is that there's at least what appears to be some checks and balances applied to the power structure. the same folks are still there. but the puppet master/puppet relationships took a big hit.

 

[chargervol]

Agreed jake.
And I have no delusions of Haslam being "out".
But stopping his bill from removing all opposition from the BoT is imperative. He no longer wants majority share and the loudest vote, he's wanting complete dictatorship.

 

[gunner]

The Haslams have to go. They’re rotten to the core.

No doubt, but it very unlikely they are going anywhe.