How long should we give Pruitt?

I think it is wrong to put a specific time frame in place. Everyone can tell when a coach is not going to be able to move a program forward. So why try to define a time frame? No need to. He can either do it or not.

I know this, changing coaches every few years just continues to prolong the time the program will be down..

Your statement about know if a coach can move a program---- I think that is the problem we all had with Butch. He did move the program forward (but from where?) But, I think most knew he could not take it to where we wanted it to be.
 
I always think year three is the season when a new coach should be able to produce at least a winning season and 4 or 5 conference wins. Were in a very tough conference, but if in year three you can't produce wins in half the games in your conference you probably never will.
 
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This is what I'd almost like to start a thread for...

WHAT IF we only win 3 or 4 games this season and by January Gruden is really frustrated by personnel decisions and other administrative matters in Oakland/Vegas and it puts him in a frame of mind to want to have Saban-like control over a college program? Assuming the money takes care of itself, do we make that move?

He is not coming here. It doesn't matter how many "what if" situations come up.
 
If CJP is going to turn this program around, then us fans should see steady improvement from week to week. I believe some aspects of our team is already showing progress. Does it still need work, of course it does. But being an elite program doesn't happen over night or even in the course of spring, summer and fall workouts and camp. Just have to keep progressing forward. The breaks will come as long as the effort to achieve them is there.
 
Dumb thread is dumb. Pruitt should get his contract length, lets try that since we haven't let a coach do that in a while. I would like to not have to pay interns and OC's at other schools head coach pay while they aren't here for a change.
 
For some perspective, here is Johnny Majors beginning at Tennessee after winning a National Championship at Pitt.

1977: 4–7 (1–5 SEC)
1978: 5–5–1 (3–3 SEC)
1979: 7–5 (3–3 SEC)
1980: 5–6 (3–3 SEC)
1981: 8–4 (3–3 SEC)
1982: 6–5–1 (3–2–1 SEC)
1983: 9–3 (4–2 SEC)
1984: 7–4–1 (3–3 SEC)
1985: 9–1–2 (5–1 SEC)
1986: 7–5 (3–3 SEC)

So it took 9 years to win an SEC championship. And the next year went 7-5.

Year 4 was a step back posting a losing season.

Take it for what it is worth.
 
That's what I said proven coach not proven head coach, he hasn't had time to prove anything as head coach yet, but here we are in this thread. I don't agree with the 3 year should cut bait but that's called a different in opinion. That's what make these boards fun we all have different opinions

It’ll be clear whether he’s the coach to take us to the promise land or not after year 3. If we’re not competing with the Bammers and a threat to win the east then, well he’s not our guy.

Let’s hope he is.
 
For some perspective, here is Johnny Majors beginning at Tennessee after winning a National Championship at Pitt.

1977: 4–7 (1–5 SEC)
1978: 5–5–1 (3–3 SEC)
1979: 7–5 (3–3 SEC)
1980: 5–6 (3–3 SEC)
1981: 8–4 (3–3 SEC)
1982: 6–5–1 (3–2–1 SEC)
1983: 9–3 (4–2 SEC)
1984: 7–4–1 (3–3 SEC)
1985: 9–1–2 (5–1 SEC)
1986: 7–5 (3–3 SEC)

So it took 9 years to win an SEC championship. And the next year went 7-5.

Year 4 was a step back posting a losing season.

Take it for what it is worth.

Yep, a perfect example of accepting mediocrity. But times were different then.
 
The SEC formed in 1933. VOLS won the SEC outright or a share twice a decade every decade other than the 70s until Y2K. We are still tied for 2nd most conference championships. This is not a 6-5 historic program. False fan poor mouth propagandists who espoused that sort of garbage are exactly who has enabled past ADs and boosters to go out and hire our head coaches out of the bargain bin while spending Lord knows how many tens of millions to feather their nests on the Terrace and in the suites. If you want to support a loveable loser, the Vandy sidewalk alumni are always looking for new members. Championships or bust mofos!
 
Honestly I've seen a lot of different opinions. I'm just curious how many years and why that long. What expectations do you have over these years? We didn't start out great but I do see a lot of positive coming from Pruitt. A lot of characteristics that over time could mold a solid football team. So how long do you give him before you jump off the bandwagon?

3 years minimum. Lets be honest for a second. As long as he can match at the minimum Butch's first 3 years without the coaching blunders and coaching indecisions, he will be fine. I actually think he will stock the team with talent in 2-3 years more so than Butch did in his first 3 years.

As long as there aren't glaring coaching issues, he will be fine.
 
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The SEC formed in 1933. VOLS won the SEC outright or a share twice a decade every decade other than the 70s until Y2K. We are still tied for 2nd most conference championships. This is not a 6-5 historic program. False fan poor mouth propagandists who espoused that sort of garbage are exactly who has enabled past ADs and boosters to go out and hire our head coaches out of the bargain bin while spending Lord knows how many tens of millions to feather their nests on the Terrace and in the suites. If you want to support a loveable loser, the Vandy sidewalk alumni are always looking for new members. Championships or bust mofos!
I think the point is, it takes work to get to that level of success. It didn't happen overnight. It takes years of establishing a culture and building a program. A program we have spent the last 10 years destroying. It's going to take time to rebuild.
 
I think the point is, it takes work to get to that level of success. It didn't happen overnight. It takes years of establishing a culture and building a program. A program we have spent the last 10 years destroying. It's going to take time to rebuild.

This isn’t the 80s thru early 2000s, there isn’t a “culture” anymore.
 
How can anyone who proposes to be a Vol fan, even think of such a question after ONE game?

This is such a ridiculous question at this point, it is simply embarrassing.

I certainly hope no one outside this group will get word of it. It automatically puts a blight on all VOL fans to have this type thing being brought up.
 
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Until Florida.
No but seriously, knowing Tennessee luck, Pruitt will be fired or leave willingly here only to go on to become a bigger and better coach. (Too much moonshine and whiskey leads to bad luck). I mean is there really much difference between he and Kiffin? Both proven winners who love to coach football? How do we even know he wouldn’t dip after year 1? Lol I know some of that is a little sarcastic, but when I look at him, I still see Alabama lol. How long will that take to wear off??

My biggest fear about Pruitt is that he will be really peaking and successful here at UT right when Saban retires. When Dabo says no and a last ditch to recruit Kirby back to Bama gets shot down, there is no one else that makes more sense for Bama than hiring the Alabama guy while sticking it to your rival in Tennessee. The good news is that if Bama is wanting him after Dabo and Smart say no, that means we are in good shape. I just don't see a way Pruitt tells Bama no if Bama comes calling after him....
 
the OP started a stupid thread. He has been a member for a month and asks how long should we stand behind our new coach?

and why does he care.

We used to have to be around a while before we could start a thread.

And I see why!
 
Pretty simple........I am all for giving him 5 years. Give the man some time to do things his way and build the team he envisions. Obviously we need to see some improvement along the way.
 
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Majors and Fulmer were/are legendary to me and at least above average.

Majors won a National Championship at Pittsburgh and Fulmer won a National Championship at Tennessee.
That's not even counting SEC Conference Titles, 10 and 11 win seasons, and winning records.

Tennessee has been blessed with Head Coaches compared to most other schools.
 
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That's my point. We have no culture. We have to build one. And that takes time.

Not in today’s world it doesn’t. The best kids want to go to the school that gives them the best shot at the league and to win, demonstrate that and with our facilities a good coach can turn it around in 3-4 years. Been done in other places.
 

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