I still maintain ...

[ITS GR8 2B ATNVOL]

I said quite a while back I thought CLK would have to prove his coaching ability in the SEC, before most of the highly rated prospects would commit to UT and was basically attacked here. Well guess what, this is proving true. The majority of prospects committing, not wavering etc. by far are on the defensive side of the ball , where the coaches have proven themselves in college, the NFL or both. I think CLK MAY learn a hard lesson letting all these 4 star players go for what he terms "Not fitting the system." There may very well be more to these situations than any of us know or ever will, but I did not like the way the Thigpin situation was handled timing wise, nor did I like the fact Kiffin telling Brice Brown he wanted to build the team around him, was made public after having the the nation's #1 all purpose back already committed for months. No wonder Oku is wavering, anyone with half-a-brain would look around too. The same can also be said for stokes. One of the top receivers in the nation (our first commitment by the way) being put on the back burner so to speak while the staff continues to go after other receivers. This is not the Pac 10 boys, where USC has the best of the best waiting in line to sign if others are let go for whatever reason, this is the SEC where recruiting is dog eat dog and there are 6-8 very good programs if not more in one conference going after the same elite players. I will wait until this staff has a full year to mesh and recruit before judging them but I do think some of the decisions made thus far may well come back to bite us in the butt. Hope i'm wrong, and nsd brings some good news. We could sure use it. GO VOLS ~

 

[TouchDownVols]

A-MAN Brother
I don't think CLK should have told anyone of them boys we can't use them.
You never know which one of them will turn out to be THE MAN...............

 

[gainesvol82]

A-MAN Brother
I don't think CLK should have told anyone of them boys we can't use them.
You never know which one of them will turn out to be THE MAN...............

If anyone was qualified enough to determine whether they would end up being the man, it's our staff.

 

[kevol80]

If anyone was qualified enough to determine whether they would end up being the man, it's our staff.

Actually, (according to UTsports.com) Rod Wilks makes the final decision.

 

[Tennessee Jack]

I said quite a while back I thought CLK would have to prove his coaching ability in the SEC, before most of the highly rated prospects would commit to UT and was basically attacked here. Well guess what, this is proving true.

There's actually a recurring theme called the "second-year bump", where new coaches at big programs finish with elite classes in their second year and W-L's record isn't a factor.

If UT plays many underclassmen in '09 and he can continue to sell people on early playing time, he will get a top-5 class in 2010 regardless of whether or not he goes 7-6 or 10-2.

History is on his side.

link: Tennessee Volunteers set disturbing precedent with salary spree - Stewart Mandel - SI.com

[A large part of this assumption is based on a long-standing recruiting trend I like to call the "second-year bump." Whenever there's a coaching change at one of the nation's elite programs, almost inevitably, the new coach "takes the recruiting world by storm" with his first full class (the second upon his arrival). When Ohio State hired Jim Tressel, when USC hired Carroll, when Florida hired Meyer, when Notre Dame hired Weis and when Alabama hired Saban, all signed classes a year later that were ranked at or near No. 1 nationally.

Tennessee already figured to be the "hot" recruiting school this time next year regardless -- but with recruiters like Orgeron and Thompson on the job, the sky's the limit.]

 

[posivol]

I said quite a while back I thought CLK would have to prove his coaching ability in the SEC, before most of the highly rated prospects would commit to UT and was basically attacked here. Well guess what, this is proving true. The majority of prospects committing, not wavering etc. by far are on the defensive side of the ball , where the coaches have proven themselves in college, the NFL or both. I think CLK MAY learn a hard lesson letting all these 4 star players go for what he terms "Not fitting the system." There may very well be more to these situations than any of us know or ever will, but I did not like the way the Thigpin situation was handled timing wise, nor did I like the fact Kiffin telling Brice Brown he wanted to build the team around him, was made public after having the the nation's #1 all purpose back already committed for months. No wonder Oku is wavering, anyone with half-a-brain would look around too. The same can also be said for stokes. One of the top receivers in the nation (our first commitment by the way) being put on the back burner so to speak while the staff continues to go after other receivers. This is not the Pac 10 boys, where USC has the best of the best waiting in line to sign if others are let go for whatever reason, this is the SEC where recruiting is dog eat dog and there are 6-8 very good programs if not more in one conference going after the same elite players. I will wait until this staff has a full year to mesh and recruit before judging them but I do think some of the decisions made thus far may well come back to bite us in the butt. Hope i'm wrong, and nsd brings some good news. We could sure use it. GO VOLS ~

excellent post,i have been saying the same thing for weeks.now go put on your bullitt proof vest as most on here are drunk from kiffinaide

 

[BACKDOC]

I said quite a while back I thought CLK would have to prove his coaching ability in the SEC, before most of the highly rated prospects would commit to UT and was basically attacked here. Well guess what, this is proving true. The majority of prospects committing, not wavering etc. by far are on the defensive side of the ball , where the coaches have proven themselves in college, the NFL or both. I think CLK MAY learn a hard lesson letting all these 4 star players go for what he terms "Not fitting the system." There may very well be more to these situations than any of us know or ever will, but I did not like the way the Thigpin situation was handled timing wise, nor did I like the fact Kiffin telling Brice Brown he wanted to build the team around him, was made public after having the the nation's #1 all purpose back already committed for months. No wonder Oku is wavering, anyone with half-a-brain would look around too. The same can also be said for stokes. One of the top receivers in the nation (our first commitment by the way) being put on the back burner so to speak while the staff continues to go after other receivers. This is not the Pac 10 boys, where USC has the best of the best waiting in line to sign if others are let go for whatever reason, this is the SEC where recruiting is dog eat dog and there are 6-8 very good programs if not more in one conference going after the same elite players. I will wait until this staff has a full year to mesh and recruit before judging them but I do think some of the decisions made thus far may well come back to bite us in the butt. Hope i'm wrong, and nsd brings some good news. We could sure use it. GO VOLS ~

Like I've stated on here before, Pearl did the exact same thing. It's nothing new.

 

[limadog007]

I think you make a very good point! Also, with such little time to build trust with these players, Kiffin has had his hands tied behind his back. Its funny how we were on this high about two weeks back with the prospect of what might of been.....Now the feeling isn't so great. Not really concerned though given what was stacked against Kiffin.

I will say that I am awfully impressed with the way Kiffin is trying to sell this team/product. He seems to be the right fit for what UT needs right now. If he has to promise building a team around certain players, then so be it. I don't doubt his intentions in the least! Now only if he can get his wife in a cheerleading outfit for one of Bruce Pearls games, then I would be really impressed.

 

[NashvilleUTVol]

If UT plays many underclassmen in '09 and he can continue to sell people on early playing time, he will get a top-5 class in 2010 regardless of whether or not he goes 7-6 or 10-2.

All speculation my friend. Facts are we have to recruit effectively now not just hope for a miraculous 2nd year bump and what besides media hype of currently hired coaches lends any credence to a top 5 recruiting class for 2010. Promising highly touted recruits that will be playing early no matter where they attend isn't the major motivator. Maybe a mid level player bites on early playing time otherwise the trojans wouldn't have the continued top ten recruiting they enjoy. I hope you are right but only time will tell.Top 10, 2010 class would be great.

 

[Tennessee Jack]

All speculation my friend. Facts are we have to recruit effectively now not just hope for a miraculous 2nd year bump and what besides media hype of currently hired coaches lends any credence to a top 5 recruiting class for 2010.

They are recruiting effectively now, Lane got Gordon/Oliver/Green/Edwards/Jeffery

We're bringing in better people than the ones we've seen leave.

That is quite impressive in a 60-day span. He was hired Dec. 1st and it's Feb. 2nd.

I'm not throwing out unfounded speculation, and I'm not crossing my fingers for a miracle. I provided recent trends which can be factually supported by measurable results.

Saban/Tressel/Meyer/Carroll/Weiss all were a part of the "second-year bump".

TN is hot right now and that doesn't necessarily apply to a 2-month class. Relationships are a factor here and you can't always sell yourself in a matter of weeks.

Tennessee's new staff is embracing technology and modern trends. They're recruiting underclassmen harder and they're watching more film, in addition to consulting talent scouts that will bring them prospects off the radar. They've already offered dozens of players for the 2010 class and they've contacted coaches about 2011 players.

I'm willing to bet the farm Tennessee makes a lot of rival schools' fans miserable next year in the recruiting wars-----Tennessee, California, Alabama, Florida kids are all coming to Knoxville in 2010.