Fan expectations caused this hire.

[KingtUT]

As much as I dont like the hire of Debord, this was Butches only option. Like most of you, I really have no idea if Debord will be any good or not but there's no denying that he's not a fan favorite. The expectations of the fanbase are higher than ever because of the recruiting success Butch has had. Butch knows that he cant afford to change offensive systems at this point in his tenure at UT. He has to win and win now. The hot OC's out there were not going to come here and run Butches system, they want to implement their own system.

Butch hasnt won enough here yet to earn an extra year or two because he had to install a new offensive system. If Butch had been here for 7 or 8 years and had multiple 10-11 win seasons, he would've been able to make the sexy hire because he would've been a proven winner at that point and the fanbase would not be questioning if he was the long term answer. I have as many or more doubts about this guy as anybody does, but for right now, he's the right guy for the job. He may not be the long term answer, but with the players we have now, he just needs to be an average OC for us to win 8-10 games. JMO

You could consider this another Debord thread but I consider it to be more of a state of the program thread.

 

[CountVolcula]

I can agree with this

 

[Doyle Hargraves]

Absolutely 100% agree.
Regardless of what others will surely post telling you that you are wrong, you get it.

 

[JCHateSteve]

As much as I dont like the hire of Debord, this was Butches only option. Like most of you, I really have no idea if Debord will be any good or not but there's no denying that he's not a fan favorite. The expectations of the fanbase are higher than ever because of the recruiting success Butch has had. Butch knows that he cant afford to change offensive systems at this point in his tenure at UT. He has to win and win now. The hot OC's out there were not going to come here and run Butches system, they want to implement their own system.

Butch hasnt won enough here yet to earn an extra year or two because he had to install a new offensive system. If Butch had been here for 7 or 8 years and had multiple 10-11 win seasons, he would've been able to make the sexy hire because he would've be a proven winner. I have as many or more doubts about this guy as anybody does, but for right now, he's the right guy for the job. He may not be the long term answer, but with the players we have now, he just needs to be an average OC for us to win 8-10 games. JMO

You could consider this another Debord thread but I consider it to be more of a state of the program thread.

This is one of the more reasonable things I've read on here all day

 

[CoachClick]

Just have him load Madden 2014 and be done with it.

 

[UTMBA]

So you're saying that as Butch worked down his list of candidates that "would not change the system" DeBord was the only one left standing? EVERY other qualified OC would have demanded to change the system?

Butch knows that he cant afford to change offensive systems at this point in his tenure at UT. He has to win and win now. The hot OC's out there were not going to come here and run Butches system, they want to implement their own system.

 

[KingtUT]

So you're saying that as Butch worked down his list of candidates that "would not change the system" DeBord was the only one left standing? EVERY other qualified OC would have demanded to change the system?

Im saying that all the hot names out there would want to run their own system. Imo, Debord is just as good as any other average joe blow OC out there that I assume you're talking about plus Butch knows he can trust him. I hate defending the hire but the state of the program dictated it. Once you pass on all the hot names out there, the fanbase wasnt going to be happy anyway so why not hire the guy you know and trust.

 

[Kook]

I understand what you are saying. But look at this from another angle.

The fans are starting to expect more from you. Your offensive scheme has not brought much success thus far. A majority of your contributors are young. You still have your QB for 2 years, and you have 3 freshman fighting for the back up spot.

This is as good of a time as any to bring in a big name OC and let his offense score points. You will only be losing a few players after this year. You have a year of implementation and in '16 you kick butt. Everyone is happy and Butch keeps his job.

This DeBord hire is a gamble that Butch's offense will work, even though it have not worked in the SEC yet. It is a safe hire in Butch's eyes. I get that. But sometimes it's just as risky to gamble on a known, than it is to gamble on an unknown... At least when it comes to an OC hire.

 

[1truevol]

The OP talks as if he has the crystal ball and knows what Butch's the reasoning behind this hire...and that he had no other option. I think not! He chose Debord because he believes in him and his system. (Butch's system). Now is not the time to change offensive philosophies and terminology. A very smooth transition is needed. We don't need some "big name" hot shot OC to come in and reinvent the wheel. I think many of you will be pleasantly surprised at how capable he is.

 

[CountVolcula]

Butch wanted a yes man

Plain and simple

His way or the highway

 

[KingtUT]

The OP talks as if he has the crystal ball and knows what Butch's the reasoning behind this hire...and that he had no other option. I think not! He chose Debord because he believes in him and his system. (Butch's system). Now is not the time to change offensive philosophies and terminology. A very smooth transition is needed. We don't need some "big name" hot shot OC to come in and reinvent the wheel. I think many of you will be pleasantly surprised at how capable he is.

So basically, you agree with me. A simple "like" would suffice.

 

[KingtUT]

I understand what you are saying. But look at this from another angle.

The fans are starting to expect more from you. Your offensive scheme has not brought much success thus far. A majority of your contributors are young. You still have your QB for 2 years, and you have 3 freshman fighting for the back up spot.

This is as good of a time as any to bring in a big name OC and let his offense score points. You will only be losing a few players after this year. You have a year of implementation and in '16 you kick butt. Everyone is happy and Butch keeps his job.

This DeBord hire is a gamble that Butch's offense will work, even though it have not worked in the SEC yet. It is a safe hire in Butch's eyes. I get that. But sometimes it's just as risky to gamble on a known, than it is to gamble on an unknown... At least when it comes to an OC hire.

I thought everyone knew why the offense has "struggled" to this point. Does a weak o-line ring a bell? I for one think the offense performed pretty well considering the obvious weakness I mentioned.

 

[DD4ME]

Guys this is no mystery hire. There is no magical reason. Here are the basics.

1. Butch knows and trusts him
2. It kept salaries the same
3. It kept the staff intact
4. It kept the playbook intact
5. He's a good coach

 

[KingtUT]

Guys this is no mystery hire. There is no magical reason. Here are the basics.

1. Butch knows and trusts him
2. It kept salaries the same
3. It kept the staff intact
4. It kept the playbook intact
5. He's a good coach

#5 is still debatable.

 

[Rudy123]

Unless DeBord is a complete idiot, then I support this hire. Had he hired a former head coach, then that coach would have been our O.C. until he was offered another head coaching job. A young, smart O.C. would have left the program in the near future when offered a head coaching job.
So, if DeBord is good, then it is a good hire for the long term, but if he is not a good coach, then why keep someone just to keep them.

 

[Kook]

I thought everyone knew why the offense has "struggled" to this point. Does a weak o-line ring a bell? I for one think the offense performed pretty well considering the obvious weakness I mentioned.

Did the O-line struggle? Yes, mightily in fact. But the O-line was not the only part of the offense to struggle.

I would say if any opposing DC were to be honest, he would say the RB's positioning giving away the play was a bigger flaw than the O-line play.

 

[Doyle Hargraves]

Butch wanted a yes man

Plan and simple

His way or the highway

Yep.

 

[UTMBA]

On the one hand Butch couldn't hire a "top gun" who wanted full control, and on the other hand - with this hire - the UT offense is now under enormous pressure to perform because Butch didn't hire the "top gun".

D*mned if you do, d*mned if you don't.

Im saying that all the hot names out there would want to run their own system. Imo, Debord is just as good as any other average joe blow OC out there that I assume you're talking about plus Butch knows he can trust him. I hate defending the hire but the state of the program dictated it. Once you pass on all the hot names out there, the fanbase wasnt going to be happy anyway so why not hire the guy you know and trust.

 

[DD4ME]

#5 is still debatable.

I'll let you debate that with Tom Brady, Phil Fulmer, and a host of others. Closest thing I have seen to a more sensible debate is if his best days are behind him.

 

[HuntinVol]

Did the O-line struggle? Yes, mightily in fact. But the O-line was not the only part of the offense to struggle.

I would say if any opposing DC were to be honest, he would say the RB's positioning giving away the play was a bigger flaw than the O-line play.

This, your tipping your hat on every play.

If Debord is such a good coach, why was he an Olympic sports administrator? It's obvious he still wanted to work and took whatever he could get and the getting was in football.

 

[KingtUT]

I'll let you debate that with Tom Brady, Phil Fulmer, and a host of others. Closest thing I have seen to a more sensible debate is if his best days are behind him.

Tom Brady was so good under him that he got drafted in the 6th round. Giving Debord credit for Brady's NFL success is laughable

 

[SGMVols]

Guys this is no mystery hire. There is no magical reason. Here are the basics.

1. Butch knows and trusts him
2. It kept salaries the same
3. It kept the staff intact
4. It kept the playbook intact
5. He's a good coach

Such a good coach that no one has given him a playbook in eight years, or even a job at all in three.

 

[golfballs]

As much as I dont like the hire of Debord, this was Butches only option. Like most of you, I really have no idea if Debord will be any good or not but there's no denying that he's not a fan favorite. The expectations of the fanbase are higher than ever because of the recruiting success Butch has had. Butch knows that he cant afford to change offensive systems at this point in his tenure at UT. He has to win and win now. The hot OC's out there were not going to come here and run Butches system, they want to implement their own system.

Butch hasnt won enough here yet to earn an extra year or two because he had to install a new offensive system. If Butch had been here for 7 or 8 years and had multiple 10-11 win seasons, he would've been able to make the sexy hire because he would've been a proven winner at that point and the fanbase would not be questioning if he was the long term answer. I have as many or more doubts about this guy as anybody does, but for right now, he's the right guy for the job. He may not be the long term answer, but with the players we have now, he just needs to be an average OC for us to win 8-10 games. JMO

You could consider this another Debord thread but I consider it to be more of a state of the program thread.

Is this fact, or speculation?

 

[OLW1948]

Did the O-line struggle? Yes, mightily in fact. But the O-line was not the only part of the offense to struggle.

I would say if any opposing DC were to be honest, he would say the RB's positioning giving away the play was a bigger flaw than the O-line play.

You are correct. The announcers for the TN bowl game picked up the positioning of the back giving the play away and started to announce it before just about every play.

 

[SGMVols]

You are correct. The announcers for the TN bowl game picked up the positioning of the back giving the play away and started to announce it before just about every play.

If announcers can see it, you know opposing coaches can see it. That's a major problem.