How about a realistic situation that we can all agree on?

[kunsanvol]

I'm of the opinion that CJH has done a great job re-establishing our program, and is a fairly young coach who's made some mistakes. I firmly believe with a couple of good staff moves, UT could jump to a consistent 10-11 win team quickly. With all of the coaching moves that are about to take place, certainly there will be A LOT of assistants out there looking for jobs. Some of our assistants may be offered positions to leave UT as well. Who are some big time DC's or assistant coaches that could be affected, and who would you like to see us pursue?

 

[RockyTop140]

I’d like to see us at least go out and hire a solid safety coach. We’ve lacked in recruiting/retaining talent there. I wouldn’t be opposed to making a move for a DC, but only if it’s a clear upgrade.

 

[Usaf redhorse]

I'm of the opinion that CJH has done a great job re-establishing our program, and is a fairly young coach who's made some mistakes. I firmly believe with a couple of good staff moves, UT could jump to a consistent 10-11 win team quickly. With all of the coaching moves that are about to take place, certainly there will be A LOT of assistants out there looking for jobs. Some of our assistants may be offered positions to leave UT as well. Who are some big time DC's or assistant coaches that could be affected, and who would you like to see us pursue?

Maybe? But heupel needs to feel the heat first to force any change! As long as the sun shine pumpers continue to make excuses for him and his apathy then nothing will change! So up folks that criticize folks like myself that want some change basically you are enabling his apathy’s JMHO!

 

[kunsanvol]

Maybe? But heupel needs to feel the heat first to force any change! As long as the sun shine pumpers continue to make excuses for him and his apathy then nothing will change! So up folks that criticize folks like myself that want some change basically you are enabling his apathy’s JMHO!

Apathy? That's a silly assumption.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Since we've won nothing, nobody's job is safe. Make as many upgrades as possible. Do something to elevate us up to a winning level of football. Anything.

 

[Sara Clark]

Surely, he was given a timeframe during the hiring process concerning expectations. Being ranked is not going to be a lasting metric for job security. Is it time to let him go, absolutely not! But I have to believe the clock is ticking for being a contender for SEC Championship. I have no idea what that timeframe would look like. Maybe another 2-3 years.

 

[vegasvolfan]

I'm of the opinion that CJH has done a great job re-establishing our program, and is a fairly young coach who's made some mistakes. I firmly believe with a couple of good staff moves, UT could jump to a consistent 10-11 win team quickly. With all of the coaching moves that are about to take place, certainly there will be A LOT of assistants out there looking for jobs. Some of our assistants may be offered positions to leave UT as well. Who are some big time DC's or assistant coaches that could be affected, and who would you like to see us pursue?

Agreed.
Sam Pittman - OL and a really good S&C coach would make me very happy

 

[adam.vol]

I'm of the opinion that CJH has done a great job re-establishing our program, and is a fairly young coach who's made some mistakes. I firmly believe with a couple of good staff moves, UT could jump to a consistent 10-11 win team quickly. With all of the coaching moves that are about to take place, certainly there will be A LOT of assistants out there looking for jobs. Some of our assistants may be offered positions to leave UT as well. Who are some big time DC's or assistant coaches that could be affected, and who would you like to see us pursue?

It’s unfair to make threats at Heupel, but it’s about time we all agree that we need to raise the bar after year 5. When is Tennessee going to get serious about competing for the SEC and the national title?

So far, we’ve only spent enough to be a long shot in either title race.

 

[MemphisVolFan1978]

This program is not the dumpster fire it was when Heupel took over in 2021. Surely we could attract a better DC and some better coaches for the underperforming positions. Heupel needs to bite the bullet and make the necessary changes to show he is willing to do what needs to be done to get this team to the next level.

 

[TheDeeble]

I don't think Heupel is a "fire assistants for performance" head coach. Only way we have staff changes imo is if they choose to leave.

 

[West Vol]

He’s 47. Richt had already won the SEC before that. Urban Meyer had won a couple of NCs. Spurrier had an NC and multiple SEC championships. Aging isn’t going to help him at this point.

 

[Usaf redhorse]

He’s 47. Right had already won the SEC before that. Urban Meyer had won a couple of NCs. Spurrier had an NC and multiple SEC championships. Aging isn’t going to help him at this point.

Yes! I’ve seen all the coach changes for Tennessee the past 20 years and we have seen that year 5 is the year of telling you exactly what you have and angst the future holds! So here we are year 5 with heupel and he is regressing! Unfortunately it will take 2 more years for Tennessee to wise up but it doesn’t bode well for the program! Year 5 snd we will be lucky to end the season in the top 25! I’m sorry to disappoint you heupel lovers but he isn’t the guy!!

 

[LWSVOL]

I'm of the opinion that CJH has done a great job re-establishing our program, and is a fairly young coach who's made some mistakes. I firmly believe with a couple of good staff moves, UT could jump to a consistent 10-11 win team quickly. With all of the coaching moves that are about to take place, certainly there will be A LOT of assistants out there looking for jobs. Some of our assistants may be offered positions to leave UT as well. Who are some big time DC's or assistant coaches that could be affected, and who would you like to see us pursue?

not sure on your consistent timeline definition, but the future of the SEC will not produce 10-11 win teams consistently. Consistent to me is 6 or 7 of those over a 10 year period. with the misses being 8 or 9 wins, no 7 or less

 

[Delmar]

Yes! I’ve seen all the coach changes for Tennessee the past 20 years and we have seen that year 5 is the year of telling you exactly what you have and angst the future holds! So here we are year 5 with heupel and he is regressing! Unfortunately it will take 2 more years for Tennessee to wise up but it doesn’t bode well for the program! Year 5 snd we will be lucky to end the season in the top 25! I’m sorry to disappoint you heupel lovers but he isn’t the guy!!

Woe be unto us. I guess we’ll just have to wait for Danny White to make that decision rather than football savants like you.

 

[lastlapuncle]

All of you who want Heupel gone just think.We could have the stellar Schiano here with a losing record at Rutgers.

 

[Usaf redhorse]

Woe be unto us. I guess we’ll just have to wait for Danny White to make that decision rather than football savants like you.

Me likey when people resort to insults it tell me that I hit a nerve! See reading The Art of the deal is already paying off!!

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Heuple said preseason they did a reevaluation of the O. That produced results. Time to do it for D this off season. Some personnel changes may be needed.

 

[sjt18]

I wouldn't mind seeing a shake up on the defensive staff starting with the DC. IMO, only one defensive coach has consistently earned his keep.

 

[Big Orange Rob]

Overall, CJH has done a great job of bringing this program back from the depths it was in when he came here. There are some good foundational pieces in place now. We have several players that are really good and recruiting is trending up. He has earned the right to make a few tweaks to take us to the next level. Personally, I think he needs to upgrade his staff over this offseason. Hopefully he has the fortitude to make some difficult decisions and put us in the running with the big boys on a consistent basis. We're close.

 

[Volinnooga]

Maybe? But heupel needs to feel the heat first to force any change! As long as the sun shine pumpers continue to make excuses for him and his apathy then nothing will change! So up folks that criticize folks like myself that want some change basically you are enabling his apathy’s JMHO!

Do you think he reads VN and decides what to do based upon what the “sun shine pumpers” say? And do you think because anonymous posters like you give him some “ heat”, he’s going to decide what to do?
Really?

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Here are some things we should all agree on, but clearly won't:

1. Josh Heupel is ultra competitive. It is an intrinsic part of his nature.
2. Because of this, he does not need external motivation. He doesn't need fans or boosters yelling at him. He doesn't need the AD calling him in for chats. There is not a single lackadaisical or complacent bone in his body. He already has all the motivation he will ever need, driven by his own character.
3. He has loyalty to his coaches and players (thank goodness), but not to a fault. If someone is weighing the program down, keeping him from his goals, he will replace them. He's just not gonna do it based on your 'fahr Willie' posts in vn.com. And he will probably usually do it quietly, in a supportive way; it will usually look like a voluntary departure to us on the outside.
4. Finally, he is hella smarter than you and me about college football. About coaching skill sets. About building and maintaining a staff and player rosters. You only think you kinda sorta know what's going on. He really does know.
5. Put it all together: he has the will, and the skill, to do his job at a championship caliber. Given the conditions he came in under, he needed some time to ramp up. He has now had that time. We can start expecting big things. Every year (starting this season, it was included), we should expect the floor to be 8-4 and the ceiling 12-0. That doesn't mean he'll get the 11-1 or 12-0 result every year; the sport is far too competitive for that. But he COULD get us there any given year.
6. So how about we just have some damn patience?

Anyway, no, we're not all going to agree here. About anything. But those six points ought to be among the places where we should.

Go Vols!

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

I’d like to see us at least go out and hire a solid safety coach. We’ve lacked in recruiting/retaining talent there. I wouldn’t be opposed to making a move for a DC, but only if it’s a clear upgrade.

We definitely need a safety coach. In this day and time the DC needs to concentrate on the entire package. Hire a safety coach already! GBO

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Bring Kevin Steele back.

 

[cgrish]

I'm of the opinion that CJH has done a great job re-establishing our program, and is a fairly young coach who's made some mistakes. I firmly believe with a couple of good staff moves, UT could jump to a consistent 10-11 win team quickly. With all of the coaching moves that are about to take place, certainly there will be A LOT of assistants out there looking for jobs. Some of our assistants may be offered positions to leave UT as well. Who are some big time DC's or assistant coaches that could be affected, and who would you like to see us pursue?

Auburn Dc, fla dc. Penn st dc

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

5. Put it all together: he has the will, and the skill, to do his job at a championship caliber. Given the conditions he came in under, he needed some time to ramp up. He has now had that time. We can start expecting big things. Every year (starting this season, it was included), we should expect the floor to be 8-4 and the ceiling 12-0. That doesn't mean he'll get the 11-1 or 12-0 result every year; the sport is far too competitive for that. But he COULD get us there any given year.
6. So how about we just have some damn patience?

Patience is hard when one sees that Curt Cignetti stepped into a HEAVILY below water Indiana program and took them to the CFP his first year AND is on his way to taking them there again this year.

Granted, Josh Heupel stepped into sanctions and a complete rebuild and performed a near miracle to do what he's done but there's little confidence that we're not treading water at this point.

Cignetti seems to be improving the Indiana program in each of his 2 years there after taking over a..... 2-10? 4-8? something like that program.

Yeah, yeah, the B1G isn't the SEC. It isn't but Indiana didn't just suck a little, they sucked a lot when he got there. Patience isn't easy when you see a #2 Indiana.