Is There a More Divided Fan Base than the Vols?

#26
#26
dont forget LG, that Kiffin came out swinging for the fence and popping off. This guy isnt going to do that.
 
#28
#28
I agree that the fan base is divided. And I think it goes deeper than what was originally discussed above.

From my observations the division is brought out when you are talking about whether the UT coach is a "good ole Tennessee boy" or not. It is very cultural. The question to a lot of people is: Should UT always look to the 'UT family' when hiring a head coach?

Growing up in the Knoxville area, reading the KNS, listening to sports talk and reading the boards on-line have illustrated this split. Many born and bred Tennesseans very much want a Tennessee guy in that position. Some of these folks were opposed to removing Fulmer last year. Most were opposed to Kiffin ever being the head coach.

But others do not believe UT must look to a Tennessee guy for a head coach. They just want the best coach available. Win games is the only requirement.

As stated, I believe the division is somewhat cultural and geographic. Its the good ole Tennessee boys vs. just win baby.
 
#29
#29
drewwes01 said:
I agree that the fan base is divided. And I think it goes deeper than what was originally discussed above.

From my observations the division is brought out when you are talking about whether the UT coach is a "good ole Tennessee boy" or not. It is very cultural. The question to a lot of people is: Should UT always look to the 'UT family' when hiring a head coach?

Growing up in the Knoxville area, reading the KNS, listening to sports talk and reading the boards on-line have illustrated this split. Many born and bred Tennesseans very much want a Tennessee guy in that position. Some of these folks were opposed to removing Fulmer last year. Most were opposed to Kiffin ever being the head coach.

But others do not believe UT must look to a Tennessee guy for a head coach. They just want the best coach available. Win games is the only requirement.

As stated, I believe the division is somewhat cultural and geographic. Its the good ole Tennessee boys vs. just win baby.
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The problem with having a "homeboy" as coach is that mediocrity is tolerated longer than necessary, as with the country bumpkin, down home version of Lame Kiffin,
CPF. Fulmer had the program in a steep nosedive and yet his connections and local status prevented a necessary change. We are now trying to recover from the homeboy damage. With an outsider, the plug can be pulled with little hesitation.
 
#30
#30
lawgator1 said:
Basically, almost word for word, what people were saying about Kiffin in the first few hours ...
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I don't see what other attitude is reasonable. It's not like any of us have any control over who they hire as coach.

I suppose it's possible to just hate the hire so badly that you're angry about if from the beginning, but that seems like just borrowing misery from the future about something that's supposed to be fun and entertaining. It's just football. A certain suspension of disbelief is in order for awhile.
 
#31
#31
lawgator1 said:
Basically, almost word for word, what people were saying about Kiffin in the first few hours ...
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Actually there was more disapproval for the Dooley hire. I get what you're saying though, the "wait and see" approach is definitely more the popular.
 
#33
#33
I think we all argue like family, OP. I mean, if we all got along, what would we talk about to pass the time? How great everyone is cause we all have the same idea about everything...? I think this is a lot like an extended family, we argue and fuss but when someone else comes to our site or our town in support of another team and attacks one our fans, we ban together to take down that intruder, be it with words or other forms of assault. lol GO VOLS!
 
#34
#34
sjrobert said:
Yes, but only for a short while. Suspension of disbelief (aka acting) was practiced for quite a few years under the CPF regime.
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There's a point at which suspension of disbelief slowly morphs into the emperor's new clothes.

I'm not suggesting that anybody stick his head into the sand, but being bitter and hating this guy before he's done anything other than hold a press conference seems like deliberately choosing to be miserable. No thanks.
 
#35
#35
NC VOL said:
For the better part of the last decade, the UT fan base has been divided, and sadly, I see no end in sight.

A brief recap of our many divisions:

Pro-Fulmer v. Anti-Fulmer
Pro-Kiffin v. Pro-Fulmer
Pro-Dooley v. Pro-Fulmer
Pro-Dooley v. Pro-anyone else
Pro-Hamilton v. Anti-Hamilton
Pro-Pearl v. Anti-Pearl
And all shades of gray in between

Every day, a new way to divide the fan base comes to the surface. See today's Tennessean for proof (the coaching search is now Black v. White).

It amazing that UT fans aren't fighting in the stands over these divisions. Is there a more divided fan base in America?

I enjoy the back and forth on this site, but just like family, we can call one another names, but we need to stand together when others try. I'm not sure what point I'm trying to make other than at the core of all of the divisions is a love for the teams in Orange & White.

Besides, winning cures all that ails us. So in the words of the suddenly wise Al Davis, "just win baby."
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Never has someone used so many words to lay so little. Every team's fans are divided on their coaches. When Nebraska hired Pelini, a lot of idiotic fans were mad because they wanted to keep Bill Callahan.
 
#36
#36
Vercingetorix said:
I don't see what other attitude is reasonable. It's not like any of us have any control over who they hire as coach.

I suppose it's possible to just hate the hire so badly that you're angry about if from the beginning, but that seems like just borrowing misery from the future about something that's supposed to be fun and entertaining. It's just football. A certain suspension of disbelief is in order for awhile.
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I was referring more to the fact that two segments are showing, IMO, mindless support or detraction from CDD. Some are pollyanish, with no reason to be. Others are chicken little, with no reason to be.



Volgrad98 said:
Actually there was more disapproval for the Dooley hire. I get what you're saying though, the "wait and see" approach is definitely more the popular.
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I would not refer to it as "wait and see" as much as I would a simple recongition that this is a guy about whom folks here know next to nothing. I agree that to form an opinion folks should "wait and see." A corrollary is that an opinion right now is just baseless. It amuses me to see people claiming he's Fulmer lite, or famous 'cause of his Daddy, or whatever. It is equally amusing to see someone write that he said all the right things at a press conference.

Its just noise right now.
 
#37
#37
bluetickhound16 said:
In the end we're all Orange.... We may not agree on how to get to where we want to be but we're ALL in agreement on the eventual destination. That's kinda what makes it so great to be a Vol..... If we all bowed down and worshipped the coach no matter what we might as well be Bammers.....
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What do you think happened during kiffin's stint?... The kool-aid was spiked and sour but the overwhelming majoriity were lapping it down. Despite the fact he acted like a child for most of the time.
 
#38
#38
Let me try to put it into terms.

Kiffin and co. came in like a used car salesman. There was no way to know that's what it was, but it was. Now some will say, "I saw right though it." "I knew he couldnt be trusted all along." blah blah blah. There is truth in the fact that a helluva lot more folks blindly jumped on board very quickly, and then the antics of taking shots at other SEC coaches started. Further fueling the fire that was created.

Since being educated as to how these modern coaches are, Vol fans are more skeptical. They're hesitant to jump on board, but for good reason. They're a scorned bunch that still feels betrayed.

Dooley can win in this situation. He can do what he's doing, and say what he's saying, and hope that all will give him a chance. That's a smart play on his part. Now some may suggest he too is got a little car salesman in him.

Think about it. What do yall want to hear right now? I'll answer. You want someone to talk about "class", "being ALL VOL", "integrity", so on and so forth. That's what yall NEED to hear, after being burned by someone who was lacking in many folks opinon.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the guy may be great. He may suck. Who the hell am I to say. I think there are more on the fence with the, "We'll see" approach.

One thing is certain though, the road back to the top will never be easy, and it sure as hell cant be lead by someone that you dont believe in. What yall need is something to believe in, other than blind faith in an unproven coach, a few pop shots at a rival, and a few top recruits.

You need a coach that can shake your hand and mean it, and regardless of Dooley's shortcoming as a coach in his short career, I think he can do that. So lets start with that, and see what he can do to back it up.
 
#39
#39
lawgator1 said:
I would not refer to it as "wait and see" as much as I would a simple recongition that this is a guy about whom folks here know next to nothing. I agree that to form an opinion folks should "wait and see." A corrollary is that an opinion right now is just baseless. It amuses me to see people claiming he's Fulmer lite, or famous 'cause of his Daddy, or whatever. It is equally amusing to see someone write that he said all the right things at a press conference.

Its just noise right now.
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I myself stated in another thread that I was not excited about the hire. But that was only because it happened so fast I didn't have time to get excited. I know nothing about him. However I am slowly forming a more positive opinion of Coach Dooley, as opposed to just being neutral.

And one last thing, learn how to spell Gator.:p
 
#40
#40
lawgator1 said:
It is equally amusing to see someone write that he said all the right things at a press conference.
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Actually it isn't amusing, but expected. Just normal observations. Coaching changes and associated remarks are always "style before substance" in any case.
 
#42
#42
lawgator1 said:
I was referring more to the fact that two segments are showing, IMO, mindless support or detraction from CDD. Some are pollyanish, with no reason to be. Others are chicken little, with no reason to be.
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I would call that a pretty universal reaction when your favorite team buys into a largely unknown quantity. I have no idea whether there were popular Gator message boards when Zook was hired, but if there were and you searched the archives, I bet you'd find the same sort of thing. A chunk of fans hating everything about it and a chunk of fans trying to be optimistic about it. Despite what you always argue, we're not actually any bigger idiots than anybody else.
 
#44
#44
Okay, so what WILL be considered a successful season for CDD next year? 7-5? 8-4? Just making it to a bowl? What are the expectations for those on the "Wait and See" list, to start being supportive and optimistic?

All I know is, he IS our coach. And I am not counting him a loser before he coaches his first game. And on the Saturday of the first game, I am behind him 100%, until I have a reason not to be.
 
#45
#45
Oakland, Buffalo, FSU, Michigan, West Virginia, Southern Cal, Texas A&M, Louisville, NC State, Cal... a lot of programs have the same problems.

Simply winning will fix it all.
 
#47
#47
Ever take a look at LSU's fanbase lately?

Pretty divided.

50% think Miles is a bumbling idiot and want him gone ASAP.

50% are realistic and understand we can't win it all every year.

I've been on your site for about a week now.... there is much more unity here than we have at LSU right now, IMO.
 
#48
#48
Vercingetorix said:
Every fanbase in the country (except for Florida, Texas, and Alabama, I guess) is divided into the Our Coach Sucks, Get Him Out Of Here camp and the You're Not A Real Fan, We Have To Give Him A Chance To Succeed camp. When enough people move from the latter group into the former, they change coaches and everybody reshuffles. Rinse and repeat. You can watch this play out on any football message board in the country.
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Yes and there was a time, not too many moons ago, when those programs were experiencing the same thing. Its life in college football (especially the SEC) where winning is everything.
 
#49
#49
VolsRule said:
The fan base will come together in the fall when dooley starts winning big--bank on it!
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lol. A staff of General Neyland, Bear Bryant, and Vince Lombardi could coach the 2010 Vols to a winning record. Dooley has a good chance to succeed if given time. I doubt he gets it. Much of the fanbase refuses to believe just how bad of shape the program is in due to Fulmer's last couple of recruiting classes and Kiffin running off alot of talent regardless of the reasons. UT is starting 2-6 next year. Look at the 2010 schedule and look at the depth chart for next year. It isn't meshing well and there is little room for injuries which will happen. 2010 will be the 3rd losing season in 6 years. It will take time. I just hope Dooley can beat Kentucky and Vandy. If not that/those loss/losses will be brought up everyday until he gets canned.
 
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