If you were Phil, what would you do?

#1
jamesd1628

jamesd1628

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#1
I think we can all agree that the number of off-the-field-incidents is, at best, embarrassing, and, at worst, alarming. The question is simple: If you were Phil, how would you handle off-the-field incidents from this point forward? As I see it, there are really only two options:

1. One strike and you’re out. Any off-the-field incident results in being kicked off the team. There are obvious problems here. Shouldn’t there be some attempt to define the level of offense? Should a speeding ticket result in termination? Can you set the standard at “Any Class __ misdemeanor or above”? What if someone gets accused of something that turns out to be entirely false, but the facts only come out after the player is kicked off the team? Most importantly, would this approach actually solve the problem, especially considering we’re dealing with 18-22 year old kids?

2. Handle each matter on a case-by-case basis. This seems to be what Phil and every other coach actually does. There are obvious problems with this approach as well. It opens the coach and the team up to endless criticism. It also seems to be ineffective, at least for the Vols. Is our problem simply that Phil doesn’t make the punishment harsh enough in each case?

So, if you were Phil, what would you do?
 
#2
#2
I think that Phil obviously needs to:

1. Recruit players with better character.

2. Help players develop character once they are here.

3. Implement some sort of curfew that is enforceable.

4. Approach matters case by case as they arise, but I guarantee you that a general attitude of "one strike and you're out" would prevent a lot of these from happening. It could be one strike and you're out generally with some obvious exceptions.

Phil may just have to make an example out of someone. I think that a lot of these guys have learned how much they can really get away with-just like children do-and are trying to push that line as much as possible. Someone has got to help these guys realize how much their off the field actions effect their on the field actions.
 
#3
#3
I always thought the come to Jesus talk and an absolutley ridiclious running program would curb the stuff.

Hell, last year a kid off my baseball team forgot to turn in his jersey and we had to run five miles for that, as a team. Petty, maybe, did anyone ever forget their jersey again? Hell no.

Seriously, I'd start throwing people off the team. No questions asked.
 
#4
#4
Pretty sure that implementing a running program may get them in great shape come football season but won't prevent too much for 18-22 year old men. These guys are going to do what they want to do until they are shown that they absolutely cannot AND still play football for the University.
 
#5
#5
RockyTop572 said:
Pretty sure that implementing a running program may get them in great shape come football season but won't prevent too much for 18-22 year old men. These guys are going to do what they want to do until they are shown that they absolutely cannot AND still play football for the University.
Click to expand...

Ever run at 6am with a hangover?
 
#6
#6
just an observation.

seems we were having discipline problems before we brought Cutcliffe. It seemed discipline was better with him here and now that he has left, they are back to being a big issue again.

:question:
 
#7
#7
Business said:
Ever run at 6am with a hangover?
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Running at anytime of day isn't an appropriate punishment for criminal offenses. Breaking curfew, missing team meetings, skipping classes and that kind of stuff can be dealt with running but once there's an arrest, the punishment needs to escalate.
 
#9
#9
volfanbill said:
I'd have thrown Britton off the team, no questions asked. Leaving the scene of an accident is just inexcusable.
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The drinking isn't a problem. Drinking then doing dumb things like throwing down on The Strip and you know driving bombed is the problem.
 
#10
#10
My perception right now is that Phil is a running joke among some members of this team. One off the field incident is enough, and we are at 5 and counting.

Maybe the senior meeting held yesterday will quell all of this. If it does not, and I was in Phil's place, I would hang it up.
 
#11
#11
RockyTop572 said:
1. Recruit players with better character.

2. Help players develop character once they are here.
Click to expand...

A 19yo college kid getting caught drinking does not have character issues. If you think so then you need to check the definition.
 
#12
#12
I agree Lex, at least Phil did kick a couple of kids off the team. Colquitt should have received the same fate.
 
#13
#13
utvolpj said:
A 19yo college kid getting caught drinking does not have character issues. If you think so then you need to check the definition.
Click to expand...

Ones that hop in the car and drive after said drinking have some kind of problem.
 
#14
#14
slobberknocker said:
I agree Lex, at least Phil did kick a couple of kids off the team. Colquitt should have received the same fate.
Click to expand...

I can't remember what class misdemeanor it is (since he hit un-attended property and didn't even exceed $500 in damage for the hit and run) but that coupled with driving drunk... it's honestly hard to say.


We also don't know exactly what Coker, Davis and Wardlow did to warrant a boot.

Colquitt is a Senior and hasn't been in any trouble as far as I remember. I don't think he should be made into an example... I've never agreed with that punishment philosophy... but I think he got a fair punishment.


Team discipline is bordering on the scary though. And that honestly does have to come from within, from the Seniors. We'll see if anything changes after this meeting.
 
#15
#15
Business said:
I always thought the come to Jesus talk and an absolutley ridiclious running program would curb the stuff.

Hell, last year a kid off my baseball team forgot to turn in his jersey and we had to run five miles for that, as a team. Petty, maybe, did anyone ever forget their jersey again? Hell no.

Seriously, I'd start throwing people off the team. No questions asked.
Click to expand...
and you would end up exactly as UGA's basketball team has.
 
#16
#16
I'm thinking force fields around the rooms of every player, combined with chain gang lines to and from meals and practice...oh, and class, can't forget that can we Demonte'?...
 
#17
#17
slobberknocker said:
I agree Lex, at least Phil did kick a couple of kids off the team. Colquitt should have received the same fate.
Click to expand...

...and I am not even trying to be an ass about this. I have been around this board long enough to see the FSU and Miami programs be disparaged for similar things that continue to happen to our football team.

The bottom line with Colquitt is that we need him more than he needs us. Fulmer wasn't doing him any favors. The kid will be kicking in the NFL with or without one more college season.
 
#18
#18
DC Vol said:
I can't remember what class misdemeanor it is (since he hit un-attended property and didn't even exceed $500 in damage for the hit and run) but that coupled with driving drunk... it's honestly hard to say.


We also don't know exactly what Coker, Davis and Wardlow did to warrant a boot.

Colquitt is a Senior and hasn't been in any trouble as far as I remember. I don't think he should be made into an example... I've never agreed with that punishment philosophy... but I think he got a fair punishment.


Team discipline is bordering on the scary though. And that honestly does have to come from within, from the Seniors. We'll see if anything changes after this meeting.
Click to expand...


The UT Police has busted him a time or two, I think.
 
#19
#19
Lexvol said:
My perception right now is that Phil is a running joke among some members of this team. One off the field incident is enough, and we are at 5 and counting.

Maybe the senior meeting held yesterday will quell all of this. If it does not, and I was in Phil's place, I would hang it up.
Click to expand...

I think Sanders said as much when he left. He went on to say it was hard for the other coaches to instill discipline when the HC wouldn't back them. Sour grapes or the truth? I am starting lean towards the truth............
 
#20
#20
When I was in Chiro. College I knew at least a dozen students who smoked pot, and many were in their 30's and 40's. Alcohol was served on campus, but when these people do it noboby cares because they're not on the football team.
 
#21
#21
If I were CPF I'd suspend the guy for five games and take away his scholarship. But that's just me.
 
#22
#22
DC Vol said:
I can't remember what class misdemeanor it is (since he hit un-attended property and didn't even exceed $500 in damage for the hit and run) but that coupled with driving drunk... it's honestly hard to say.


We also don't know exactly what Coker, Davis and Wardlow did to warrant a boot.

Colquitt is a Senior and hasn't been in any trouble as far as I remember. I don't think he should be made into an example... I've never agreed with that punishment philosophy... but I think he got a fair punishment.

Team discipline is bordering on the scary though. And that honestly does have to come from within, from the Seniors. We'll see if anything changes after this meeting.
Click to expand...

Coker failed numerous drug tests and refused to go to counseling.

This is at least the 4th time Colquitt has been in trouble.
 
#23
#23
justingroves said:
Coker failed numerous drug tests and refused to go to counseling.

This is at least the 4th time Colquitt has been in trouble.
Click to expand...

I thought it took them too long to deal with Coker. That kid was problems from Day 1. I was just talking about Coker, but "unspecified violation of team rules" isn't like plastered KNS headlines.

Okay, well, pending that's true about Colquitt... that changes things quite a bit for me. I thought Colquitt was a pretty straight shooter... but if he has been in trouble even with just the team he should be out. No questions asked.
 
#24
#24
Lexvol said:
My perception right now is that Phil is a running joke among some members of this team. One off the field incident is enough, and we are at 5 and counting.

Maybe the senior meeting held yesterday will quell all of this. If it does not, and I was in Phil's place, I would hang it up.
Click to expand...
Even castro has hung it up. He needs to realize it isn't going to be a story book ride off into the sunset and do the honorable thing.
 
#25
#25
BACKDOC said:
When I was in Chiro. College I knew at least a dozen students who smoked pot, and many were in their 30's and 40's. Alcohol was served on campus, but when these people do it noboby cares because they're not on the football team.
Click to expand...

I will assume most of them were paying their own way through college. Its their dime..........
 
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