How long is Butch's leash?

#1

peyton4heisman

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#1
With our first ranked opponent coming to town in two days, Tennessee faces the first real risk of losing a game this season.

Of course, we all want to win this one. Not only do we want this win for ourselves, we want it for these players and for these coaches. We want to see everybody's hard work pay off.

But there is a real chance (God please forbid it) that we lose Saturday. And as a 4-year veteran of this site, I can promise all of you that there will inevitably be some drunken "Fire Butch" or "I'm losing faith in Butch" or "We need Gruden pt. 7" threads that pop up Saturday night and Sunday morning.

That got me thinking. Dooley only lasted 3 years. He nearly only lasted 2. If we were to go 6-6 or 7-5 this season, I'm sure many of us would consider the season a disappointment.

I fear that if that were to happen, Butch's seat would start to warm up. I want nothing more to see Butch succeed and stay here for a few decades. He seems like the perfect fit where Dooley always felt like a temporary patch frpm Day 1 (or Year Zero).

If it were up to me, I would give Butch a minimum 4 more guaranteed seasons, regardless of record. If after 7 years he hasn't gotten it done, it's fair to say he likely never would at that point.

But I know there will be those that will be ready to set his chair ablaze (right next to their burning mattresses) if we underachieved this year.

What do you guys think? Does he have to succeed this year to be safe, or are you like me and feel like he should feel safe for the next few years at least, regardless of record?

Either way, I hope we don't have to find out. Let's take it to the Sooners and silence all the skeptics! Go Vols and let's kick some Sooner ass Saturday night! !!
 
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#2
#2
It's the second game of the year.. If we lose it will be disappointing for sure, but we have plenty more marquee matchups after Oklahoma. Butch would get one more year at least if he has a 6-6 season or a 7-5 season.
 
#3
#3
P4H, I think he's certainly got through the 2016 season (his 4th).

In this day and age, many Power 5 programs give a coach 3 years to prove his chops. Through his recruiting and values and culture and outreach, Butch has added at least one more beyond that norm.

Not much worth thinking further than that, for now.
 
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#4
#4
The pessimism former coaches caused really ****ed us up. What other fanbase says "How much longer you think this guy's got before we fire him?" when he hasn't even lost yet?
 
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#5
#5
Everything he has done to this point is awesome. He needs time to continue what has been a great job so far. There may be setbacks, but taken in context with his success off the field, his setbacks will be few and far between.
 
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#7
#7
I can promise all of you that there will inevitably be some drunken "Fire Butch" or "I'm losing faith in Butch" or "We need Gruden pt. 7" threads that pop up Saturday night and Sunday morning.



^Including your OP just now, which is why you started this thread and you know it! :banghead2:




.
 
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#8
#8
P4H, I think he's certainly got through the 2016 season (his 4th).

In this day and age, many Power 5 programs give a coach 3 years to prove his chops. Through his recruiting and values and culture and outreach, Butch has added at least one more beyond that norm.

Not much worth thinking further than that, for now.

That's where I am. There isn't much that could happen that would want me to have him fired this year. Even limping to a 4 or 5 win season I think he'd get another year but his seat would be very hot. At 6 or 7 it warms up a bit but he could still quiet all the naysayers with a strong 2016. 9 or 10 wins this year and we're probably talking about an extension.
 
#10
#10
The pessimism former coaches caused really ****ed us up. What other fanbase says "How much longer you think this guy's got before we fire him?" when he hasn't even lost yet?

Exactly. And this wkd is going to be a tough matchup. Win or lose, we have Western Carolina to think about next week which is a positive. Then starts the gauntlet of Florida, Arkansas and Georgia. Can't really ask too many questions right now as it's still early. Buckle up in 2 weeks though...

Oh and to answer this thread, I personally think Butch should at least be allowed to graduate this year's freshman class. There is so much talent in that bunch and I have the utmost faith that this coaching staff can develop an SEC contender out of them.
 
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#12
#12
I can promise all of you that there will inevitably be some drunken "Fire Butch" or "I'm losing faith in Butch" or "We need Gruden pt. 7" threads that pop up Saturday night and Sunday morning.



^Including your OP just now, which is why you started this thread and you know it! :banghead2:




.

Um...no... I've just been on this site long enough to know what happens after we lose. Don't believe me? Watch and see the idiocy after our first loss, regardless of when that happens.
 
#13
#13
With our first ranked opponent coming to town in two days, Tennessee faces the first real risk of losing a game this season.

Of course, we all want to win this one. Not only do we want this win for ourselves, we want it for these players and for these coaches. We want to see everybody's hard work pay off.

But there is a real chance (God please forbid it) that we lose Saturday. And as a 4-year veteran of this site, I can promise all of you that there will inevitably be some drunken "Fire Butch" or "I'm losing faith in Butch" or "We need Gruden pt. 7" threads that pop up Saturday night and Sunday morning.

That got me thinking. Dooley only lasted 3 years. He nearly only lasted 2. If we were to go 6-6 or 7-5 this season, I'm sure many of us would consider the season a disappointment.

I fear that if that were to happen, Butch's seat would start to warm up. I want nothing more to see Butch succeed and stay here for a few decades. He seems like the perfect fit where Dooley always felt like a temporary patch frpm Day 1 (or Year Zero).

If it were up to me, I would give Butch a minimum 4 more guaranteed seasons, regardless of record. If after 7 years he hasn't gotten it done, it's fair to say he likely never would at that point.

But I know there will be those that will be ready to set his chair ablaze (right next to their burning mattresses) if we underachieved this year.

What do you guys think? Does he have to succeed this year to be safe, or are you like me and feel like he should feel safe for the next few years at least, regardless of record?

Either way, I hope we don't have to find out. Let's take it to the Sooners and silence all the skeptics! Go Vols and let's kick some Sooner ass Saturday night! !!


Hello Butch!

Seriously? 7 years. You have got to be kidding. Why don't we just let him sign a lifetime contract. What would seven years of losing prove. He will be no better in six years than he will be this year. If great players come, if they really are great, they are only here for three.
 
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#14
#14
Wow! He's undefeated this season so far, two straight top 5 recruiting classes, the national media is behind us again...and we're asking this question.

Butch will be here a LONG time. Settle in and let's enjoy the ride.
 
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#15
#15
Not to be too hard on the OP, but the question is ridiculous at this juncture....furthermore the outcome of Saturday's game has no bearing on it at all.
 
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#16
#16
OMG, here we go again...... Useless threads in the offseason and now useless threads during the season. I've come to the conclusion that some people just can't be happy without something to ***** about.
 
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#17
#17
As long as he keeps winning 6 or 7 games, you have to give him 6 or 7 total years. Y'all do understand being impatient and greedy is what got UT here. Butch is a great ambassador of the program, great recruiter, but hasn't gotten the huge win.

Once we stop relying on freshmen and sophomores, he will get that win. Just don't think it will happen this Saturday. But it is a long season and no one knows what will happen.

Also, didn't he just sign an extension? Y'all really want to go down that road again and have to pay another coach millions of dollars for 4 or 5 years. Be patient.
 
#18
#18
I can't believe this is a thread already. Give me a break

Apparently you need to re-read the OP. I can't believe it's hard to understand. The thread was created because of the inevitable stupidity that will follow if we lose.

Also I said that if it were up to me, I'd guarantee Butch no less than 4 more seasons, regardless of record
 
#19
#19
He will be safe this year baring no major meltdown. In fact he should win a minimum of 8 this year honestly. You will see those crazy fans saying 10 wins or bust but lets be honest this is still a team of sophomores. If butch keeps showing steady progression in the W column he will be fine and our coach for many years. Keep in mind too the SEC is now tougher than it ever has been.
 
#20
#20
If it were up to me, I would give Butch a minimum 4 more guaranteed seasons, regardless of record. If after 7 years he hasn't gotten it done, it's fair to say he likely never would at that point....

What do you guys think? Does he have to succeed this year to be safe, or are you like me and feel like he should feel safe for the next few years at least, regardless of record?

EVERY successful organization in the WORLD has standards of success that are expected of leadership. Leaders understand that when they sign on and in great measure they seek those jobs because of the high standards... not in spite of them.

By guaranteeing 4 more years regardless, you've basically said "We have no standards or expectations... we'll pay you well for whatever good, bad, or mediocre result you produce". Not only would that be a HORRIBLE way to manage the program... it isn't even something that Jones himself would feel good about.

Jones took over a tough situation. But he needs to show progress ON THE FIELD demonstrating that he's making it better. Subjective stuff is great. All the objective factors that should contribute to wins are terrific. But ultimately... winning on the field is what it is all about... and Jones as much as any top tier coach embraces that.

He needs 8 wins this year to show progress not only to us but to recruits and the college football world. Again, Jones is as aware as anyone of the impact of "program image". Seven wins will land him on a heated seat with plenty of wood stacked about. Failure to make a significant move in '16 would result in a full-fledged stake burning.

He simply doesn't need to go to six or less. At BEST, you are looking at a split fan base. At worst, there would be a good bit of fan pressure to fire him and especially if we see a return of the blowouts we saw in '13.
 
#21
#21
Apparently you need to re-read the OP. I can't believe it's hard to understand. The thread was created because of the inevitable stupidity that will follow if we lose.

Also I said that if it were up to me, I'd guarantee Butch no less than 4 more seasons, regardless of record

"Inevitable"? I can almost guarantee that very few will get stupid if UT loses unless it is a blowout.
 
#22
#22
Apparently you need to re-read the OP. I can't believe it's hard to understand. The thread was created because of the inevitable stupidity that will follow if we lose.

Also I said that if it were up to me, I'd guarantee Butch no less than 4 more seasons, regardless of record


No it is an indirect way for you to start a "Butch on the hot seat thread" while claiming "I'm not saying Fire Butch others will be saying Fire Butch, I would never say Fire Butch, Fire Butch will never be uttered by me, just saying others will be saying Fire Butch".........fire butch!





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#23
#23
Some people just cant help but to think negatively. Why would one even want to discuss this right now. Enjoy where we are and where we are headed. Deal with this crap if/when it happens.
 
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#24
#24
Some people just cant help but to think negatively. Why would one even want to discuss this right now. Enjoy where we are and where we are headed. Deal with this crap if/when it happens.

I wish there was more sensible, mature people like this on this site!

Heck that's just common sense.
 
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#25
#25
That we even ask these questions at this point shows what a battered mentality a portion of the fan base has. I understand it to a point, considering the last decade or so. However, imo we as a fan base need to collectively discard this loser mentality. It feels like some of you have a foot out the door before the rice hits the ground.

Butch isn't going anywhere anytime soon, regardless of what happens Saturday or, for that matter, the rest of this season. He is not beyond reproach, but imo the "leash" is longer than I-40 W out of Knoxville.
 

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