NighthawkVol
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- Apr 7, 2007
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Man, is it fun being a Vol right now. Is there an athletics program in America that is having as much fun as we are? After suffering for so long (mainly due to football, but also in other sports like baseball, men's basketball during the time between Pearl's cookout lie and Barnes' 3rd year, and the deterioration of the women' basketball program under Holly), we're looking strong in just about every sport.
Football- Josh Heupel exceeded everyone's expectations in his first year, showed us that his teams will not only play with pride, but will be really fun to watch, and that Heupel is an outstanding playcaller who will give us a tactical advantage on offense. He followed that up with a top 15 recruiting class, closing strong with some big time steals, and filling needs. Now we're seeing top 10 preseason predictions for next year. Hard to imagine things could have gotten this good this fast on the day Pruitt was fired. By 2023, this program will be rolling.
Men's Basketball- Tennessee is a national and SEC power with a future Hall of Fame coach who won't be stopping anytime soon. Not only does this team have a great shot to make an Elite 8 or even Final 4, but the roster coming back next year is loaded. This program will be good for the foreseeable future.
Baseball- What more needs to be said? Tony Vitello is one of the best young coaches in America, is going to be at Tennessee long-term, and looks to have an even better team than last year's CWS team. Vol Nation is smitten with baseball now. Another national power program with a great future. If you're not following this program now, hop on board. Get the ESPN app (Hulu/Disney+/ESPN bundle for $13 is well worth it). With the ESPN app on your smartTV, you can watch every single game.
Women's Basketball- Kellie looks to be the answer to me. Since taking over, her teams have played harder and better than Holly's teams ever did. They actually look well-coached. She had some tough luck this year, losing Burrell early, Suarez before the season, then Green, then Horston. But she has a lot coming back and they'll continue to trend up next season. What they did early in the season before injuries derailed them is a great indicator of what's to come. Hell, they could still make a run in this year's NCAAT.
Those 4 programs are all going to be powerful, not just in the SEC, but nationally, for the foreseeable future. Then you have the non-revenue sports: Track & Field is back to its former powerhouse status (the men's team just took 3rd yesterday at the indoor national championships), Tennis (men are ranked #1 in America, women ranked #20), Women's soccer (reigning SEC champions), Swimming and Diving (men ranked top 15, women top 5), and softball (ranked in the top 20). What can we complain about? Volleyball? (they only finished 2nd among "others receiving votes" in the final top 25 ranking).
We finally hired a great AD. We're seeing the results. And we will be for some time. Tennessee is doing what Tennessee is supposed to be doing. Winning.
Football- Josh Heupel exceeded everyone's expectations in his first year, showed us that his teams will not only play with pride, but will be really fun to watch, and that Heupel is an outstanding playcaller who will give us a tactical advantage on offense. He followed that up with a top 15 recruiting class, closing strong with some big time steals, and filling needs. Now we're seeing top 10 preseason predictions for next year. Hard to imagine things could have gotten this good this fast on the day Pruitt was fired. By 2023, this program will be rolling.
Men's Basketball- Tennessee is a national and SEC power with a future Hall of Fame coach who won't be stopping anytime soon. Not only does this team have a great shot to make an Elite 8 or even Final 4, but the roster coming back next year is loaded. This program will be good for the foreseeable future.
Baseball- What more needs to be said? Tony Vitello is one of the best young coaches in America, is going to be at Tennessee long-term, and looks to have an even better team than last year's CWS team. Vol Nation is smitten with baseball now. Another national power program with a great future. If you're not following this program now, hop on board. Get the ESPN app (Hulu/Disney+/ESPN bundle for $13 is well worth it). With the ESPN app on your smartTV, you can watch every single game.
Women's Basketball- Kellie looks to be the answer to me. Since taking over, her teams have played harder and better than Holly's teams ever did. They actually look well-coached. She had some tough luck this year, losing Burrell early, Suarez before the season, then Green, then Horston. But she has a lot coming back and they'll continue to trend up next season. What they did early in the season before injuries derailed them is a great indicator of what's to come. Hell, they could still make a run in this year's NCAAT.
Those 4 programs are all going to be powerful, not just in the SEC, but nationally, for the foreseeable future. Then you have the non-revenue sports: Track & Field is back to its former powerhouse status (the men's team just took 3rd yesterday at the indoor national championships), Tennis (men are ranked #1 in America, women ranked #20), Women's soccer (reigning SEC champions), Swimming and Diving (men ranked top 15, women top 5), and softball (ranked in the top 20). What can we complain about? Volleyball? (they only finished 2nd among "others receiving votes" in the final top 25 ranking).
We finally hired a great AD. We're seeing the results. And we will be for some time. Tennessee is doing what Tennessee is supposed to be doing. Winning.
