Gut feeling on Pruitt?

I Agree. A good coach has us good again in years 4-5. A great coach makes noise in year 2.

If we had a roster like Georgia, then I would say year 2 would be the one. But we are not even close to them. So if CJP doesnt do too much in year 2, that doesnt mean he isnt great or wont be great. Saban wasnt great in year 2 at Michigan State.

I think in year 3, we will see a big turnaround. I could see maybe winning the East in year 4.
 
He isn't coming I to a completely bare cupboard like dooley and Jones got. They just haven't been coached

True. But he is going to have to completely change the attitude and culture of the program. Not too mention changing the stule of play, especially on defense.
 
Don't know anything about him except his resume and his remarks at the press conference.

His resume looks pretty good, except for moving around a lot in the last few years. But, Alabama hired him back so that's a good sign.

From the press conference, my first impression was that he's not a high IQ kinda guy. But he came across as sincere, authentic, passionate and plain spoken with no BS. And definitely a hard worker.

The few, brief times he talked about playing football, he sounded like he knows what he's doing. Liked some of his comments about fundamentals and game planning.

As far as defensive v. offensive minded, not sure that makes much difference. I imagine DCs spend as much time studying offensive schemes as OCs. Maybe more, because offensive coaches seem to think they are masters of the universe and whatnot.

As far as coaching abilities, we'll see. Like his attitude. Hope he can instil it in the players. Liked his remarks about defined roles and owning your role. Seems like he can be a leader. His executive level management skills are unknown at this point. It's a big jump from manager to leader. But as he said, Phil is right down the hall to mentor him on that part.

I am hopefully optimistic. So far I like his style. Sounds like an SEC football coach.

A'ight.
 
I am cautiously optimistic. It’s hard to lose the press conference. Didn’t hear the usual coach speak and other butchisms that we’ve had to deal with. Didn’t hear “I was wasn’t my wife’s first choice, either” joke. Given his FSU rumor’s probably for the best. He does have a fire and I like that.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
Love this guy.

[twitter]https://twitter.com/GoVolsXtra/status/939267463295983616[/twitter]
 
Last edited:
I gave Jones 4 years due to the absolute cluster-**** that Dooley left us with. And for that matter, Jones got closer in 2015-6 than many on here give him credit for. Beating uga and uf and going 5-0 last year was sweet, even if it didn't quite pass the eye test.
No... just NO. He wasn't "close". That's the problem. You give him credit for a half-baked performance. He beat those teams but didn't "finish". He never kept a team healthy. His inability to develop players for depth contributed to injuries and led to a massive drop off in play.

He got talent to UT. But he wasn't "close". His "best" finish in the SEC was 5-3 and two games behind a not very good UF team.

Having said that, for that very reason my expectations are higher for Pruitt. If even a coach as challenged on game day as Butch can have back to back 9-win seasons and at least sniff the SECCG, then the cupboard can't be that bare, can it?
I'm just more simple about it. Set the bar and don't move it. As someone said, you may have an 8 win season sprinkled in here or there but UT should win 9+ year in, year out.

I expect us to compete for the SECE in three years. Period, dot.

Why not take the "E" off? UT should compete for the SEC in 3 years or less... if Pruitt is "the guy". UT doesn't need an average coach. UT needs a great coach. A great coach squeezes everything out of his roster. By Pruitt's own words, they find ways to win.

He expects to do that.... I'm with him.
 
I have good feeling. All the current SEC head coaches had head coordinator or head coach experience at major P5 schools before taking their current job. Jones and Dooley were lacking in those two areas, I think TN's previous AD's just didnt know how to evaluate head coaches.
 
The two things that really stood out to me during last evenings introductory press conference were that he wanted to be surrounded by good people, and that everyone needs to take in and give out positive vibes. That tells me he knows what’s up in life and can connect with people. Also, he knows coaching, been around it since he was three. Everyone I’ve read and head about that knows him, they all say good things.

I have a feeling we are slowly getting out of that negative place as fans, and I have a gut feeling that Pruitt will be the guy to help us along the way.
 
Year 5 get in the CFP. Yes it sucks we gotta start over again but it happens with every new coach. I think Kirby got lucky in only 2 YEARS he’s playing for a possible NC spot. I wish TN was that damn lucky...but then again he had Richt’s players and he’s no shabby recruiter either. We as fans just gotta realize Rome wasn’t built in a day and neither will TN. Have faith have fun and cheer your hearts out for Big Orange!!!

Kirby inherited a loaded team...Richt's team...We'll see how he is doing in a few years.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
If we had a roster like Georgia, then I would say year 2 would be the one. But we are not even close to them. So if CJP doesnt do too much in year 2, that doesnt mean he isnt great or wont be great. Saban wasnt great in year 2 at Michigan State.

I think in year 3, we will see a big turnaround. I could see maybe winning the East in year 4.

People really underestiamte the talent on this team. Especially Fresh and Soph talent. If they get developed there are a lot of players with loads of potential.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 2 people
I feel good about the hire. BUT people have to give it time. We really do have a harsh fan base. We can’t be screaming for his head in year 2 if he doesn’t have 9/10 wins. This team is a mess and I think we’re doing extremely well to get 6 wins next year. We are just as bad off now if not worse than when Dooley left. Butch didn’t do a damn thing at this program but a few star performances overshadowed thst until this year.

I agree people need to chill as mistakes are made but if he doesn't win 9 games in year two then this hire was almost certainly a mistake.

You guys can pretend that he inherited a dumpster fire all you want but when this team is healthy it is very talented.
 
I gave Jones 4 years due to the absolute cluster-**** that Dooley left us with. And for that matter, Jones got closer in 2015-6 than many on here give him credit for. Beating uga and uf and going 5-0 last year was sweet, even if it didn't quite pass the eye test.

Having said that, for that very reason my expectations are higher for Pruitt. If even a coach as challenged on game day as Butch can have back to back 9-win seasons and at least sniff the SECCG, then the cupboard can't be that bare, can it?

I expect us to compete for the SECE in three years. Period, dot.

Completely agree.
 
Pruitt's as good as the Vols were able to do in the national coaching circus, it's now the Vols against the media and the world!:good!:
 
Pruitt's as good as the Vols were able to do in the national coaching circus, it's now the Vols against the media and the world!:good!:

I personally think Fulmer did a good job in hiring Pruitt, I don't think Phil would put his name on it, if he didn't feel Pruitt could get Tennessee back to winning:good!:
 
Coach Pruitt won me over we he said that our dbs wouldn't play 10 yards off that they would be at the line of scrimmage challenging the receivers
 
  • Like
Reactions: 1 person
So far I like him, but I will hold back till after a couple of years on the job. If I was still playing football I would want to play for him, the man knows his X's and O's big time!
 
My wife and I watched his introductory presser. We laughed at his diction mostly. Not in a mean way. We are southerners and know or have known friends and family who don't "talk good" who can dance circles around you in the smarts department. Butch talked good. So did John Curiie. It is nice to have good ole southern boys at the helm of this program again. No more carpetbaggers. That being said, we also watched videos of Jeremy speaking to the press about his Alabama and Georgia jobs. Sounded different, and talked good. I've known successful people who would alter their diction to their audience. I think we are in for a good ride with Coach Pruitt. Awiiight? (Can I get a tee shirt that says that?)
 
Good Coach! Good hire! Trust Fulmer completely. When you've been a successful player and Coach in the SEC most of your life and im sure studied the schemes on offense and defense of not only SEC teams but around the country. He has an understanding of talent that a typical AD doesn't. He has waited for this opportunity. I'm certain and have faith he didn't.
 
I'm not puking my guts out nor are my eyes rolled back in my head while I'm twitching in pleasure. I'm in between and in a wait and see mode. I can see where the guy should have a level of success, just not convinced at this point he can deliver it quickly or as much success as I expect in a 2 or 3 year period.
 
Hey I spent the first few yrs of my life on Sand Mtn (Flat Rock, AL). My Dad's side born and raised there. About 30 miles from Rainsville. So CJP good people.
 

Advertisement



Back
Top