OK.. I'll bite. Tennessee has great facilities - that's not the problem. The demolition of Stokely and Gibbs halls as well as the indoor practice facility is top notch. The academic counseling with Dr. Joe Scroggins and the Thornton center is enough to sway the parent of any recruit. We are in pretty good shape in those departments.
What is lacking? There is an old theory that the games are won in the off season. Strength and conditioning, learning the playbook. Impromptu pickup practices, like 7 on 7. Refer to Kongbo's exit interview. Pruitt has the team in skull sessions every day, whereas Butch only thought necessary to do twice a week. It's the little things. Practice makes perfect. Physical conditioning takes you to the 4th quarter without your legs giving out.
Ainge said he knew we were in deep s$t the season we opened with App State. The linemen showed up for fall camp in horrible condition. THAT is the time of year they should be in the best condition.
One more quote, and I apologize in advance for quoting Bear Bryant, but there is truth here and it attributed to some of his success. He had hard practices. A reporter asked him why and he said "If a boy is going to quit on me, I'd rather see him do it in a practice than in a game". Granted, the NCAA has throttled back on hard practices, but it still needs to be harder than it was in previous coaching staffs.
The right assistants is also needed. Some good changes were made after 2018, so we shall see.
