Coach Heupel's first year compared to other first year coaches

[WesternNCVol]

I’m really impressed with this entire staff. This is what it looks like when coaches coach a team as a team if that makes sense.

The guys have bought in and those who haven’t and/or don’t fit are finding new homes. No hard feelings.

We’re a couple plays from having two additional wins. While the loss to Pitt and Ol’ Miss were painful, you can bet the staff and players learned and grew from them.

We fought hard against our big three rivals and hung in there until lack of depth took over. That will get better with proper recruiting.

This staff seems genuinely talented and sincere. That will help recruit and forge solid relationships. Ultimately I hope this translates to championships but more importantly to developing young men to be good men, fathers, husbands, and leaders.

This hire was not my choice nor was I excited. Turns out I do t know how to pick a college coach. Who knew?

Go Vols!

 

[Enki_Amenra]

Also, Shane Beamer has done a good job at SC given what he’s working with too. You could make an argument that his 2 signature wins in the league are better than Heupel’s.

I'm really surprised by the Mizzou and USCar records. Based on how we stomped them, us having a depleted roster and new coach, I would've thought their seasons would be absolute disasters.

 

[butchna]

They probably will not fire him this season....but who knows it is Florida....could happen today....It is apparent they made a mistake....They fire him now and watch the portal. The portal is the biggest factor now in firing coaches.....This should be interesting to watch....Mice on a ship? Dirt coming out into the open? Catch 22. I would use the interim coach method and maybe wait until next year to replace.

They’re notoriously cheap on buyouts, so unless he’s looking for an exit strategy I don’t see it.

 

[Chicago Vols 14]

The main thing I am really surprised at is that the Hype has completely changed the culture in a single year. The type of offense he runs requires guys to really buy in and know their assignments. After the disaster of where we have been, it is amazing that he has won the locker room so convincingly.

Someone else posted about the differences in coaching styles between CJH and places like Bamma or GA. Encourager vs Old School. I think there is some truth to that and that CJH’s style is more warm and fuzzy for today’s generation. If you are top 5 talent, old school still works great but for everyone else, a softer touch seems to have better results. That may also better explain Pruitt’s success elsewhere and utter failure here.

Looking at a few statements here:

"That may also better explain Pruitt’s success elsewhere and utter failure here" - Where did Pruitt have success? Statistically he was the DC on some good defenses, but he didn't build those defenses, nor did he see them through. A shorter timer everywhere he went due to his personality aside from Alabama where he met a big dick then himself.

"If you are top 5 talent, old school still works great but for everyone else, a softer touch seems to have better results" - Pete Carroll built the most dominate program of the early 2000's with a softer touch and plenty of 5 star players. This is the model and coaching style that Kiffin has employed which has led many players to enjoy playing for him.

 

[Probably_in_Class]

Beating Missouri/Kentucky on the road > beating Florida/Auburn at home. And Heupel destroyed Beamer head to head.

I’ll take wins against Florida and Auburn over beating Mizzou and South Carolina regardless of where they are played. Two of those teams are national powers while Mizzou and South Carolina are two of the only SEC teams even less relevant than us currently.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

Mullen fired. Look for Freeze to UF.

 

[Proud Army Wife]

Also, Shane Beamer has done a good job at SC given what he’s working with too. You could make an argument that his 2 signature wins in the league are better than Heupel’s.

True but TN dismantled them with ease.

 

[SGMVols]

Mullen fired. Look for Freeze to UF.

He won’t even get a call. You Freeze worshippers are nuts.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

It’s actually unfair to compare Heupel’s first year here to any other HC in the country. Why? First off the investigations and uncertainty surrounding the NCAA. Secondly, and most importantly, losing more than a full recruiting classes worth to the transfer portal.

If you can find me another first year HC that is dealing with those things, then we can talk.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

Also, Shane Beamer has done a good job at SC given what he’s working with too. You could make an argument that his 2 signature wins in the league are better than Heupel’s.

While true, Beamer didn’t walk into anything close to what Heupel did. Beamer has good depth on defense. He also has a full roster. Heupel has neither.

 

[The Original Fade]

While true, Beamer didn’t walk into anything close to what Heupel did. Beamer has good depth on defense. He also has a full roster. Heupel has neither.

Agree on that point

 

[volbound1700]

How were they in a worse position? Did they have an NCAA cloud hanging over them? Did they lose 30+ players to the transfer portal?

For one, they did NOT have a starting scholarship QB. They also had even less players than Tennessee. I don't know what anyone is smoking in this thread, South Carolina was behind Tennessee in all preseason rankings. The East was like this:

Georgia
Florida
Kentucky
Missouri
Tennessee
South Carolina
Vanderbilt

Both South Carolina and Vandy where behind Tennessee in preseason rankings. Granted, I am not taking anything away from Heupel. Both have done an amazing job but don't downplay what Beamer has done at South Carolina.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

For one, they did NOT have a starting scholarship QB. They also had even less players than Tennessee. I don't know what anyone is smoking in this thread, South Carolina was behind Tennessee in all preseason rankings. The East was like this:

Georgia
Florida
Kentucky
Missouri
Tennessee
South Carolina
Vanderbilt

Both South Carolina and Vandy where behind Tennessee in preseason rankings. Granted, I am not taking anything away from Heupel. Both have done an amazing job but don't downplay what Beamer has done at South Carolina.

Show us where Beamer had fewer than 71 scholarship players

 

[volbound1700]

Show us where Beamer had fewer than 71 scholarship players

SEC Preseason Rankings: CFN College Football Preview 2021

2021 SEC Football Preseason Rankings (EAST)

SEC preseason poll and team: Alabama leads the way, Georgia follows

I can keep going. Nearly every poll had South Carolina as behind Tennessee on talent and ability. I don't see a single poll that had South Carolina with more talent, even if they had 71 players.

I know that South Carolina had to play a non-scholarship QB which is the only SEC team to have done that in a long time.

 

[BigOrangeTrain]

SEC Preseason Rankings: CFN College Football Preview 2021

2021 SEC Football Preseason Rankings (EAST)

SEC preseason poll and team: Alabama leads the way, Georgia follows

I can keep going. Nearly every poll had South Carolina as behind Tennessee on talent and ability. I don't see a single poll that had South Carolina with more talent, even if they had 71 players.

I know that South Carolina had to play a non-scholarship QB which is the only SEC team to have done that in a long time.

So SC didn’t have less than 71 scholarship players? Ok thanks. You proved my point. And let’s look at your third link shall we? Scrolling down it starts listing 1st through 3rd team All SEc.

Wonder how many 1-3rd All SEC players TN had? 3. How many did SC have? 3. We had 1 1st team offense (Cade Mays), one third team defense (Taylor) and second team specialist (Brooks).

Meanwhile SC had 1 2nd team offense (Harris), one 3rd team offense (Muse) and 1 1st team defense (Enagbare). SC returned the SECs leading rusher in Kevin Harris.

It would be hard to do a talent comparison based off of all the talent we lost to the portal. I would
Love to see a comparison though between TNs 71 man unit to SCs 85.

 

[Volz4lif3]

The main thing I am really surprised at is that the Hype has completely changed the culture in a single year. The type of offense he runs requires guys to really buy in and know their assignments. After the disaster of where we have been, it is amazing that he has won the locker room so convincingly.

Someone else posted about the differences in coaching styles between CJH and places like Bamma or GA. Encourager vs Old School. I think there is some truth to that and that CJH’s style is more warm and fuzzy for today’s generation. If you are top 5 talent, old school still works great but for everyone else, a softer touch seems to have better results. That may also better explain Pruitt’s success elsewhere and utter failure here.

Family feel to it to me from all the quotes from current player’s especially the ones that hung tight and didn’t bolt.. there was a Caleb Trembley sp) article that was all he talked about this was a special place college town Tennessee 24-7 he wasn’t used to that in Cali I think kids understand places like Tennessee

 

[Vol Main]

They’re notoriously cheap on buyouts, so unless he’s looking for an exit strategy I don’t see it.

It hopping.
Florida Gators Fire Head Coach Dan Mullen

 

[Orange-Blooded]

I want Mullen fired just so that Florida fans are sad. But I’m afraid of who they’ll hire. Thankfully, USC and LSU being available this year (and VT to a lesser extent) means they won’t have their pick.

Wouldn't surpise me if Mullen ended up at VT

 

[Gandalf]

Family feel to it to me from all the quotes from current player’s especially the ones that hung tight and didn’t bolt.. there was a Caleb Trembley sp) article that was all he talked about this was a special place college town Tennessee 24-7 he wasn’t used to that in Cali I think kids understand places like Tennessee

Seems he is going for more of a Dabo approach

 

[Sudden Impact]

They’re notoriously cheap on buyouts, so unless he’s looking for an exit strategy I don’t see it.

Well I was wrong....Did not think they would fire him, but after watching some of last night's game and playing for OT. I thought he must be trying to get fired....so where does he end up at? Pac 12......or washing cars for Saban....

 

[Vol in Buckeye Land]

Also, Shane Beamer has done a good job at SC given what he’s working with too. You could make an argument that his 2 signature wins in the league are better than Heupel’s.

That might be fair considering the whooping they put on Florida. We took Kentucky’s best shot in their house and still won though. If the refs don’t steal Baron’s scoop and score against Ole Mess we’re having a different conversation.

 

[butchna]

Well I was wrong....Did not think they would fire him, but after watching some of last night's game and playing for OT. I thought he must be trying to get fired....so where does he end up at? Pac 12......or washing cars for Saban....

$12 mil should stretch his options out for a little while. I could see him out west (Arizona or Arizona State) when he's ready.

 

[The Original Fade]

That might be fair considering the whooping they put on Florida. We took Kentucky’s best shot in their house and still won though. If the refs don’t steal Baron’s scoop and score against Ole Mess we’re having a different conversation.

100%

 

[BenGrimm]

The main thing I am really surprised at is that the Hype has completely changed the culture in a single year. The type of offense he runs requires guys to really buy in and know their assignments. After the disaster of where we have been, it is amazing that he has won the locker room so convincingly.

Someone else posted about the differences in coaching styles between CJH and places like Bamma or GA. Encourager vs Old School. I think there is some truth to that and that CJH’s style is more warm and fuzzy for today’s generation. If you are top 5 talent, old school still works great but for everyone else, a softer touch seems to have better results. That may also better explain Pruitt’s success elsewhere and utter failure here.

I think Pruitt could be “bad cop” as a coordinator because Saban really is good to his players. Sure he chews them out if they really up but he will also pull them aside and and privately build them up. But Pruitt as HC with no one to play “good cop” just destroyed team morale.

 

[MADISONGAVOL]

True but South Carolina was in a WORSE position than even Tennessee coming into the season. You have to really rank coaches based on what they inherited. For example, Vandy's coach inherited the worse team so if he had won 6 games, I would put him at #1.

I would but Beamer as having best first year although Heupel is neck and neck with him. Beamer is recruiting better than Heupel right now as well.

If you compare rosters and every single sports writer we have worse roster than uscjr. Thats everyone.