after the comments took 90 degree turn in my thread last week, its probably time to discuss the logic on JG and QB transfers based on the UT's current landscape.
Given = we live in an instant gratification world
Reality = JG is a junior and has been progressing thru 3 OC's and 2 HC's. people like to use examples of other teams instant success as it relates for their lack of patience with JG........again, i understand the world we live in of instant gratification. other teams and coaches seem to find a way to win early. but lets look at pro and college examples that are relevant to UT's past turmoil, current direction and strategy.
1. Cleveland Browns - UT AD circus is similar to Browns ownership and GM issues. How many coaches want to work for Haslam? not many. same to be said for UT. how many coaches want to work for a school with unstable leadership. as we saw last year, not many elite coaches or elite assistant coaches wanted to be apart of what UT was selling over the last 10 years. in turn Butch could not recruit / develop blue chip OL nor did he hire a QB coach until his final year. How does this relate to JG? whether you work in a company or play for a sports team, the upper brass play a pivotal role in your teams ability to succeed. Hamilton's decisions, Currie's decisions, and UT presidents have greatly hurt UT's ability to recruit elite athletes. in turn, when elite athletes did commit to UT during this era, the dependency on these select players became overwhelming for a team that lacks enough playmakers to win consistently. bottom line, mediocrity trickles from the top.
2. Alabama - before Saban, Alabama was in turmoil. a multitude of terrible coaching hires. when Saban was hired, his qb was John Parker Wilson. JPW was an average qb and was at the helm when Saban went 6-6 and lost to Monroe. Saban stuck with JPW and developed players, some inherited and some recruited, into a NC team. after that, he started Greg McElroy, who was not a great athlete. UT's situation is almost identical to Alabama's situation from the mid-2000's. we can learn from Saban's strategies that helped turn that program around in 3 years and now into the strongest college football program of all time. Saban did not bench his QBs and rotate multiple guys until he found a stable QB. he allowed 2 QB's to start for 5 years. this allowed both JPW and McElroy to develop during the transition and provide some level of instant consistency to his football teams. JPW's development paved the way for future Alabama teams. JG may only have 1 great year at UT before he graduates, but if Pruitt allows him to grow, develop, and help transition CJP's early teams into a successful era, the QB after JG will be setup for success.
when it comes to JG and / or other QB transfers potentially looking at UT.........think about what is most important. building a foundation similar to Alabama, from the top down, through consistency is far more advantageous for the program long term than hoping a freshman or a transfer is the answer to all of UT's problems next year. JT Shrout only played 1 full year in high school and Maurer is a late bloomer as well. Both of these guys need 2 years each to learn a consistent offensive playbook and put on weight to withstand the type of pounding JG takes on a regular basis. JG's toughness is paving the way for the next QB to be healthy and ready to win when they play.
in the last 10 years, UT has had 3 AD's, 4 HC's, and a plethora of assistant coaches. if Pruitt and Fulmer stabilize their roles within the program, it will pave the way for more longer term assistant coaches, which will equal better recruiting, and quicker success on the field. we are only in year 2 of the Fulmer / Pruitt era and its important to stabilize any position of consistency during this transition. JG is someone you can pencil in the starting lineup, wont turn the ball over and can take a beating. i dont believe a freshman or transfer player is better suited than JG to help UT reach its ultimate goal, which is perennial success.
i appreciate JG for the beatings he has endured, and for not transferring when Butch left, for not turning the ball over even when losing by 25 points per loss and staying hungry thru the negative fan support during the last 2 years.
give the guy some credit for sticking with a company / team during this mess unlike a ton of other players that we see transferring at will. college football is losing its player loyalty due to the new rules but JG has never wavered once, even when Currie and Butch were driving the bus
