Coach Jones And Team 120

#1
OldVol

OldVol

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#1
(I thought I'd share my correspondence with Coach Jones with this board)

Coach Jones, Staff and Team 120:

It has been an entertaining year of football. Team 120 has provided Tennessee Volunteers everywhere with the thrill of watching a wonderful group of young men perform with heart, grace and aplomb. The challenges this team faced were many and difficult yet the leadership of the staff and the great leaders on the team held this group together. I am grateful for having been afforded the blessing to witness it.

There were challenges; injuries to key players, injuries at so many positions on the defense, and yes, even reported drama in the locker room, and maybe even on the field. While none of us can be certain of what happened every step of the way, one thing is certain based on the great showing in the Music City Bowl, you and your staff, along with some great leaders on Team 120, worked hard to correct each and every problem that you faced. The injuries were just bizarre. I’ve been following Tennessee football since I was a lad, over 50 years, and I’ve never seen a team face so many critical injuries in a season. Yet your staff continued to cobble together starting unit after starting unit. It seemed no 2 weeks saw the same 11 taking the field on either side of the ball. Your staff is to be commended for constructing so many makeshift units. To have won 9 games under these circumstances is really rewarding. As to the drama, whatever it was, I’m sure it will pay dividends in the future if any similar incident should present itself.

I am reluctant to name players because so many played key roles but I would be remiss not to mention a few very special young men. Joshua Dobbs gave his all on every play of every game. We may never see his equal in the things he does well. Derek Barnett breaking Reggie White’s sack record, well, it speaks for itself, I mean, it was REGGIE WHITE’S sack record. Alvin Kamara provided a spark in every game. His being voted team captain after transferring speaks volumes about what his teammates think of him, and the quality of his leadership. Then there was Jalen Reeves-Maybin. What a leader this young man was, even from the sideline. He and Cameron Sutton led and helped this team even while they were on crutches. Jason Croom fought through injury after injury to respond with a great senior campaign. Josh Malone was just outstanding. I hope all of our young men who are graduating and or leaving for the NFL will be hugely successful in all of their future endeavors.

The future of Tennessee football is bright. I see it and all of the folks who really matter see it.

Coach Jones, if your seat is hot, then all true Tennessee fans are sitting on it with you. Only a few people in the media who are desperate for attention will make an issue of this. We’ve got YOUR back. Yes, a few folks on the Internet will spend wasted hours tapping out rants, some will bloviate on the radio, but Vol fans are happy that you are our coach now and hopefully for a long, long time. This truth was undergirded by a Music City Bowl sellout. There are some who are always dissatisfied. Unhappy people whom former coach Johnny Majors coined a great phrase for, “The legion of the miserable.” I know you and your staff will ignore them as you move forward and lead The University of Tennessee to future championships on the field, and yes, in life as well.

I know I speak for all true Volunteers when I say, “I am glad you are our coach.”

Now, go bring in another group of high-character young men to wear The Orange and play on The Hill.

Best Wishes

OldVol74
 
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#2
#2
OldVol said:
(I thought I'd share my correspondence with Coach Jones with this board)

Coach Jones, Staff and Team 120:

It has been an entertaining year of football. Team 120 has provided Tennessee Volunteers everywhere with the thrill of watching a wonderful group of young men perform with heart, grace and aplomb. The challenges this team faced were many and difficult yet the leadership of the staff and the great leaders on the team held this group together. I am grateful for having been afforded the blessing to witness it.

There were challenges; injuries to key players, injuries at so many positions on the defense, and yes, even reported drama in the locker room, and maybe even on the field. While none of us can be certain of what happened every step of the way, one thing is certain based on the great showing in the Music City Bowl, you and your staff, along with some great leaders on Team 120, worked hard to correct each and every problem that you faced. The injuries were just bizarre. I’ve been following Tennessee football since I was a lad, over 50 years, and I’ve never seen a team face so many critical injuries in a season. Yet your staff continued to cobble together starting unit after starting unit. It seemed no 2 weeks saw the same 11 taking the field on either side of the ball. Your staff is to be commended for constructing so many makeshift units. To have won 9 games under these circumstances is really rewarding. As to the drama, whatever it was, I’m sure it will pay dividends in the future if any similar incident should present itself.

I am reluctant to name players because so many played key roles but I would be remiss not to mention a few very special young men. Joshua Dobbs gave his all on every play of every game. We may never see his equal in the things he does well. Derek Barnett breaking Reggie White’s sack record, well, it speaks for itself, I mean, it was REGGIE WHITE’S sack record. Alvin Kamara provided a spark in every game. His being voted team captain after transferring speaks volumes about what his teammates think of him, and the quality of his leadership. Then there was Jalen Reeves-Maybin. What a leader this young man was, even from the sideline. He and Cameron Sutton led and helped this team even while they were on crutches. Jason Croom fought through injury after injury to respond with a great senior campaign. Josh Malone was just outstanding. I hope all of our young men who are graduating and or leaving for the NFL will be hugely successful in all of their future endeavors.

The future of Tennessee football is bright. I see it and all of the folks who really matter see it.

Coach Jones, if your seat is hot, then all true Tennessee fans are sitting on it with you. Only a few people in the media who are desperate for attention will make an issue of this. We’ve got YOUR back. Yes, a few folks on the Internet will spend wasted hours tapping out rants, some will bloviate on the radio, but Vol fans are happy that you are our coach now and hopefully for a long, long time. This truth was undergirded by a Music City Bowl sellout. There are some who are always dissatisfied. Unhappy people whom former coach Johnny Majors coined a great phrase for, “The legion of the miserable.” I know you and your staff will ignore them as you move forward and lead The University of Tennessee to future championships on the field, and yes, in life as well.

I know I speak for all true Volunteers when I say, “I am glad you are our coach.”

Now, go bring in another group of high-character young men to wear The Orange and play on The Hill.

Best Wishes

OldVol74
Click to expand...

This was a great way to cap off the season for team 120 and lead in for team 121. Even though the season did not meet expectations I am dang proud of this team and program for everything that happened in 2016. With everything going against them this year from the lawsuit hanging over us early on killing recruiting to the injuries and locker room drama this team came out a success. Every year will not be like 2016 and it will be exciting to see what this team will be like in the future with less going against us. Butch has set us up for sustained success and I can't wait to see what Team 121 is going to accomplish on the field! I have a feeling this team next year is going to sneak up on some folks. GBO!
 
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#3
#3
My sons and I recently lunched with coach Majors.

He is spry for 81 and can still mesmerize the table with his many stories.

IMG_6010.jpg
 
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#7
#7
I'm always incredibly thankful for the kids that give their all for tn. But jones wasted the best group of talent we've had assembled in tn in years. And then constantly threw the players under the bus when it was his friends calling the plays and him determining which players would start while better players sat in the bench. Dobbs show have had way more designed qb runs early in the season and Hurd should never have started over kamara in the system we run.
Also, the injuries definitely have something to do with Butch firing our strength and conditioning coach and hiring a nobody to replace him. Dumb decision after dumb decision led to the losses this season. Now most of the excellent talent is gone and recruiting is suffering. It's going to be a slow difficult decline over the next couple of years until we finally pet ways with him and start over again
Not trying to be a Debby downer...just calling it like it is
 
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#8
#8
chattavol420 said:
I'm always incredibly thankful for the kids that give their all for tn. But jones wasted the best group of talent we've had assembled in tn in years. And then constantly threw the players under the bus when it was his friends calling the plays and him determining which players would start while better players sat in the bench. Dobbs show have had way more designed qb runs early in the season and Hurd should never have started over kamara in the system we run.
Also, the injuries definitely have something to do with Butch firing our strength and conditioning coach and hiring a nobody to replace him. Dumb decision after dumb decision led to the losses this season. Now most of the excellent talent is gone and recruiting is suffering. It's going to be a slow difficult decline over the next couple of years until we finally pet ways with him and start over again
Not trying to be a Debby downer...just calling it like it is
Click to expand...

You are EXACTLY the type of person Oldvol spoke of. To hell with reality and let emotion and lack of common sense rule the day.
 
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#9
#9
chattavol420 said:
I'm always incredibly thankful for the kids that give their all for tn. But jones wasted the best group of talent we've had assembled in tn in years. And then constantly threw the players under the bus when it was his friends calling the plays and him determining which players would start while better players sat in the bench. Dobbs show have had way more designed qb runs early in the season and Hurd should never have started over kamara in the system we run.
Also, the injuries definitely have something to do with Butch firing our strength and conditioning coach and hiring a nobody to replace him. Dumb decision after dumb decision led to the losses this season. Now most of the excellent talent is gone and recruiting is suffering. It's going to be a slow difficult decline over the next couple of years until we finally pet ways with him and start over again
Not trying to be a Debby downer...just calling it like it is
Click to expand...

"Legion of the Miserable" per John Majors.
 
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#13
#13
Good OP Oldvol. Nice to see some level headed posts every now and then without hindsight criticism.

Hope you don't take too much heat from the key board coaches.
 
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#14
#14
chattavol420 said:
I'm always incredibly thankful for the kids that give their all for tn. But jones wasted the best group of talent we've had assembled in tn in years. And then constantly threw the players under the bus when it was his friends calling the plays and him determining which players would start while better players sat in the bench. Dobbs show have had way more designed qb runs early in the season and Hurd should never have started over kamara in the system we run.
Also, the injuries definitely have something to do with Butch firing our strength and conditioning coach and hiring a nobody to replace him. Dumb decision after dumb decision led to the losses this season. Now most of the excellent talent is gone and recruiting is suffering. It's going to be a slow difficult decline over the next couple of years until we finally pet ways with him and start over again
Not trying to be a Debby downer...just calling it like it is
Click to expand...

Thanks for not trying to be a Debby Downer.

You have potential to be the best Debby Downer of all time.

Are you sure you are calling it like it is, or how your opinion of how it is?

Is this inside info or is it speculation?
 
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#15
#15
Iam4utalways said:
Thanks for not trying to be a Debby Downer.

You have potential to be the best Debby Downer of all time.

Are you sure you are calling it like it is, or how your opinion of how it is?

Is this inside info or is it speculation?
Click to expand...

He has some valid points.

The Strength and Conditioning Coach decision was not a good one and had an ill effect on the team. We played softer this year than 2015.

The Vandy and South Carolina losses were inexcusable. Even with the amount of injuries that were sustained, the talent was still in our favor.

Kamara was a better suited back for our system than Hurd. Hurd is an outstanding back, but is better at the north/south game than the east/west.

There are some position coaches whose units have underperformed on a consistent basis from year to year, and should be addressed.

Recruiting is certainly down this year from previous years in a year where the state has produced a lot of talent. Hopefully it is an anomaly instead of a trend.

I think most frustration comes from the unmet expectations of a veteran team who showed great promise last year . Frustration also arises from the Vanderbilt and South Carolina losses, which turned what should have been a very special year into a very decent year.

Folks have a right to dissent. I agree there are some people who will never be happy, but there are many reasonable people who see what could have been and are rightfully dissatisfied.
 
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#16
#16
ReaderVol said:
You are EXACTLY the type of person Oldvol spoke of. To hell with reality and let emotion and lack of common sense rule the day.
Click to expand...

This happened a lot in 2016. Just look at the election. Here's hoping 2017 brings everyone's minds back.
 
#17
#17
Beating Nebraska = GOOD.
Watching record-setting achievements = Great.
Hoping Coach Jones goes beyond nine wins next season = RIGHT.

The Sun rises in the East and sets in the West.
Water runs downhill.
Tennessee beats Vanderbilt.
If you could ask Coach Cafego, he'd approve.

Hey, I'm just trying to reach 1000 posts... I mean, 47,000 posts? How does that happen? I'm in awe.
 
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#19
#19
ReaderVol said:
We have a very good coach. Just because you're not smart enough to see it doesn't make your statement true.
Click to expand...

"Very" good coaches don't lose to Vandy and South Carolina.

Butch isn't horrible, but lets back away from undue praise.
 
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#20
#20
montanatenn said:
You "get it". You will be here when the current instant gratification folks are gone. Just keep the faith because others will come.
Click to expand...

Instant gratification would be something less than 5 years. 5 years is the earliest Butch can reach anything that matters.

Maybe next year will be our year, again.

Maybe Tennessee will be able to PLAY in the SEC title game. That shouldn't be so out of reach...

Maybe.
 
#21
#21
Couldn't of said it better than the OP. Kudos on a positive and truthful post. The people on here that can't see the devastation of the injuries slay me. Same for blaming Butch for every loss. I think it's a testament to his player they were able to win 9 considering the cancer and injuries on the team. Butch isn't perfect but he's got us headed upwards regardless of the aberration of this year.
 
#22
#22
Godfatha said:
He has some valid points.

The Strength and Conditioning Coach decision was not a good one and had an ill effect on the team. We played softer this year than 2015.

The Vandy and South Carolina losses were inexcusable. Even with the amount of injuries that were sustained, the talent was still in our favor.

Kamara was a better suited back for our system than Hurd. Hurd is an outstanding back, but is better at the north/south game than the east/west.

There are some position coaches whose units have underperformed on a consistent basis from year to year, and should be addressed.

Recruiting is certainly down this year from previous years in a year where the state has produced a lot of talent. Hopefully it is an anomaly instead of a trend.

I think most frustration comes from the unmet expectations of a veteran team who showed great promise last year . Frustration also arises from the Vanderbilt and South Carolina losses, which turned what should have been a very special year into a very decent year.

Folks have a right to dissent. I agree there are some people who will never be happy, but there are many reasonable people who see what could have been and are rightfully dissatisfied.
Click to expand...

Good points...don't think most have a problem with rational thoughts and opinions, but it's the determination to be miserable by many about everything which is crazy...especially after a nice day yesterday. Not saying there aren't disclaimers that go with it... but if FL and Auburn lose their bowl game, UT will have the second best record in the SEC.
 
#23
#23
Wylo said:
Instant gratification would be something less than 5 years. 5 years is the earliest Butch can reach anything that matters.

Maybe next year will be our year, again.

Maybe Tennessee will be able to PLAY in the SEC title game. That shouldn't be so out of reach...

Maybe.
Click to expand...

We'll see. We need to get over some more humps. There will always be humps.
 
#24
#24
Wylo said:
"Very" good coaches don't lose to Vandy and South Carolina.

Butch isn't horrible, but lets back away from undue praise.
Click to expand...

Saban lost to Monroe while at bammer. All coaches, every single one loses games their teams shouldn't. It happens.
From what he took over when we hired him to where we are now proves to me Jones is a very good coach. Great? Not yet he has to get to the next level for great.
 
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#25
#25
njvols said:
Good points...don't think most have a problem with rational thoughts and opinions, but it's the determination to be miserable by many about everything which is crazy...especially after a nice day yesterday. Not saying there aren't disclaimers that go with it... but if FL and Auburn lose their bowl game, UT will have the second best record in the SEC.
Click to expand...

Some people are destined to be miserable regardless.
 
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