How would a win at Florida impact the perception of Jeremy Pruitt for you?

#101
#101
Pruitt isn't going anywhere this year.

If he wins, I think there will be a program/fan wide boost because its Florida. Regardless, we have seen what he can do in terms of playing ranked opponents and upsetting some.
 
#102
#102
It’s a huuuuge game for Pruitt and the program. A win at the Swamp would change everything...at least until the Miss State game in Knoxville. Then it becomes the most critical game of the year.

After a probable loss to Georgia we would be 2-3 with Miss St at home. A win there puts us at 3-3, with another probable loss to the Tide putting us at 3-4 with five games left.

If Pruitt can win three of the last five (Gamecocks at home, UAB at home, Kentucky away, Mizzou away, and Vandy at home), and finish finish 6-6 after an absolutely horrible start, it’ll be a heck of an accomplishment for our young head coach, and yes it would positively change my perception of CJP. Then maybe win a bowl game, end up 7-6, and enter 2020 with more hope. Then after 9 long months it all starts again.

This fairy tale would all begin with a win this Saturday. So yep...it’s a big game.
 
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#103
#103
Smartvol17 said:
I’m ok with going 1-11 as long as that one win is Florida.
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LOL, I almost agree. Hard to like any season where we don't go bowling, but if we beat Florida, USCjr, and Vandy and lose the rest of the conference games, I'd honestly be pretty happy. Throw in an upset over Bama or UGA and I'd give Pruitt a 7 year extension.
 
#105
#105
boomvol said:
If you're like me, you came into the season with the following view about our Coach Pruitt: he was by no means perfect, but was talented coach that showed flashes of potential greatness and could prove to be special with time. I wasn't expecting an earth-shattering 2019 season. Heck, I wasn't even going to concern myself with our wins-loss record. I just wanted to see our boys show some competitive fire on the field and see a team that improved every single game. However, after 2 unbelievable losses, my perspective on ole Pruitt changed. I now see him as a young coordinator-turned-head coach who seems to be in over his head. I'm not ready to write him off quite yet, but my confidence in him as the future of this program took a significant hit. So the question is, if Jeremy Pruitt takes this team, despite all the ridicule and negativity the media and fans have thrown at them, and manages a win in Gainesville, where does that leave your perception of Pruitt?

For me, Pruitt would rise back to the level I had him before the season started: full of potential, but by no means perfect. It would be the first step in the right direction on the football field since the Vols won in Auburn last season in what seems like an eternity ago. And while the agony of watching the University of Tennessee lose to Georgia St Tech A&M School of the Deaf in week 1 will never be forgivable, a Florida win reestablishes my view that, though there will be growing pains, Pruitt is a guy that can get us there.
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Fair, and valid points. I too will take a wait and see approach. Let's see how the season plays out. He's one season and three games into his head coaching career. It's going to take time. What you don't want to see is him cut his teeth on this program, and go on to greatness somewhere else. I think he could do great things here, if we exercise patience, he may prove to be our guy.
 
#107
#107
Let's be honest.

If he loses, he's trash, and everyone wants to fire him.

If he wins, then he's trash because we should have done it against BYU and Ga State, and everyone still wants to fire him.

However, winning against Florida would give big hope that we could still make a bowl game. So, that would be great. In order to "make up" for BYU and Ga State, we gotta win two games we weren't supposed to win. And by George, if Florida and Georgia are those two, I'd be happy happy happy.
 
#110
#110
boomvol said:
If you're like me, you came into the season with the following view about our Coach Pruitt: he was by no means perfect, but was talented coach that showed flashes of potential greatness and could prove to be special with time. I wasn't expecting an earth-shattering 2019 season. Heck, I wasn't even going to concern myself with our wins-loss record. I just wanted to see our boys show some competitive fire on the field and see a team that improved every single game. However, after 2 unbelievable losses, my perspective on ole Pruitt changed. I now see him as a young coordinator-turned-head coach who seems to be in over his head. I'm not ready to write him off quite yet, but my confidence in him as the future of this program took a significant hit. So the question is, if Jeremy Pruitt takes this team, despite all the ridicule and negativity the media and fans have thrown at them, and manages a win in Gainesville, where does that leave your perception of Pruitt?

For me, Pruitt would rise back to the level I had him before the season started: full of potential, but by no means perfect. It would be the first step in the right direction on the football field since the Vols won in Auburn last season in what seems like an eternity ago. And while the agony of watching the University of Tennessee lose to Georgia St Tech A&M School of the Deaf in week 1 will never be forgivable, a Florida win reestablishes my view that, though there will be growing pains, Pruitt is a guy that can get us there.
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The question is based on a highly unlikely scenario being true.
You might as well ask "what would your perception of Jeremy Pruitt be when he deposits 1 million dollars in your bank account?" it's a pointless question because it isn't happening.
 
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#111
#111
boomvol said:
...after 2 unbelievable losses, my perspective on ole Pruitt changed. I now see him as a young coordinator-turned-head coach who seems to be in over his head. I'm not ready to write him off quite yet, but my confidence in him as the future of this program took a significant hit....
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So I think that is the key section of your post, the heart of it, and I agree. Emotionally. At the same time, logically I am reassured by a couple of facts:
  • Nick Saban's first two years as an FBS head coach: 6-5-1, and 6-6 (Michigan State)
  • Dabo Swinney's first two full years as an FBS head coach: 9-5, and 6-7 (Clemson)
These are the undisputed two most successful head coaches in FBS today. The top of their conferences, and tops in the nation. At least one of them, and maybe both, will go down in history as among the best of ALL time.

They started out rough.

Others have, as well. Not every great coach has the "fast-out-the-gate" start of Urban Meyer. Some grow into it.

The leap from coordinator to head coach is the biggest and most challenging one in the college football coaching career. It's hard. Some don't make it. But -- and this is the key point -- even the ones who do, and end up being SPECTACULAR, don't necessarily look awesome in the first couple of years.

It's not just because they need to get "their recruits" to fill the ranks to match "their system". It's that the job is so totally distracting and complex, it simply takes time to regain focus.

...

Not going to lie, I'm as disappointed and displeased with the GA State loss as any Vol fan. That doesn't change the fact that the first year or two might not be a very good indication of a coach's potential.

Go Vols!
 
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#112
#112
peaygolf said:
JMO.......But it's not Pruitt. The end of Fulmer, Kiff, Dooley, Jones, Pruitt. None have won squat................maybe it's the actual guys on the field that are not any good.



sorry.ranting
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That's funny cuz didn't Butch Jones beat Florida? Didn't Jones have the game always close and winnable in the end? It's not his fault the field goal kicker kicked it wide and ended up losing one of those close games! Say what you want to about Butch Jones but, at least Tennessee could compete with teams in the SEC under Jones! IMO Pruitt has never proven himself! He coached a couple years at cream of the crop programs with the best players and only a few years at each, not enough time to really see if it was Pruitt, or Pruitt riding the already success of others before him. Just saying!
 
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