Let's be honest

[508mikey]

Im going with dont care for Pruitt - stuff he says sometimes is no worse than Jones (OC is over rated ? really ?) , and the current recruiting rank of 17 wont cut it -- Dont care for a pro style offense in college ball either.

 

[LookinUp]

You want that sissy two hand touch hurry up crap?

 

[Volfan2012]

I would say absolutely huge year coming up next season. Another losing season and I think a majority of fans will have a very negative view of Pruitt. I will be of the opinion that he is not going to win here. Two years in a system and most of the players returning in the two deep should mean progress. So although he shouldn't be judged now another bad season with the returnees that we have certainly afford that we can view how effectively he is moving this program forward.

 

[Jack Burton]

I would say absolutely huge year coming up next season. Another losing season and I think a majority of fans will have a very negative view of Pruitt. I will be of the opinion that he is not going to win here. Two years in a system and most of the players returning in the two deep should mean progress. So although he shouldn't be judged now another bad season with the returnees that we have certainly afford that we can view how effectively he is moving this program forward.

Even with an “easier” schedule 2019 will be a 5 or 6 win season unless we get DL grad transfers and a QB grad transfer. There won’t be some dramatic improvement because we’re not out coaching or out talenting many teams next year.

 

[VolAllen]

Even with an “easier” schedule 2019 will be a 5 or 6 win season unless we get DL grad transfers and a QB grad transfer. There won’t be some dramatic improvement because we’re not out coaching or out talenting many teams next year.

And at some point, fans will start stepping away. And not out of rage or whatever, they’ll just get tired of being embarrassed. Out of state fans traveling in will be the first to stop making the trip. I didn’t go to a single game this year in Neyland, which is sad. I had fun for 3/4 of the game at Williams Brice, and then walked out feeling like a damn idiot. $600 and an entire day wasted.

 

[McDad]

And at some point, fans will start stepping away. And not out of rage or whatever, they’ll just get tired of being embarrassed. Out of state fans traveling in will be the first to stop making the trip. I didn’t go to a single game this year in Neyland, which is sad. I had fun for 3/4 of the game at Williams Brice, and then walked out feeling like a damn idiot. $600 and an entire day wasted.

Never considered it before now. Do you spend your time and money for the experience of watching a game or the experience of winning a game?

 

[mdbvol]

I'll go on record and admit I'm not a fan. Going out and hiring an assistant at bama was the most fulmer thing we could've possibly done. He hired a guy that could t say no. He didn't go get a big/proven guy that he was able to convince to come here. He hired a life long bammer that could never turn this job down. It turned me off that he stayed through the college football playoffs and freaking celebrated with bama. What the hell? And how on earth could fulmer have interviewed him and came away impressed? Dude has the personality of a brick wall. I also hate that he sounds so dumb when he takes. "They done good out there" we wuz trying to stop me but we ain't good"...he also continually there our players under the us all year. Some of those kids played their asses off for him. They weren't the ines calling inside runs on first and second down when the defense had the box loaded all year. He's not a charismatic leader that a great coach has to be. Unfortunately...he'll be here for about 4 more years. Fulmer will be loyal to him till the end because thats fulmers legacy on the line as an ad. Just sucks to be a Tennessee fan honestly.

This sounds about right, Unfortunately!!

 

[508mikey]

Even with an “easier” schedule 2019 will be a 5 or 6 win season unless we get DL grad transfers and a QB grad transfer. There won’t be some dramatic improvement because we’re not out coaching or out talenting many teams next year.

dont think it will be an easy schedule - UAB have already won bowl games - I would not take anyone as a sure and easy win except Chattanooga

 

[musolfmj]

Yeah, I like the guy. Will he lead us to the promised land? Dunno, but when he gets the studs that are needed to compete for titles, I think they will follow his lead and that equation has a pretty good chance of getting us where we all want to be. It's stuff like this that says a lot about Jeremy Pruitt.

“I have not met a more honest coach through out my football career,” Antonutti said of Pruitt.
“He promised that I was going to get my degree no matter what ,and not only is he letting me get my degree. I also get the privilege to learn under his coaching staff and continue to be a part of what I love so much. My love for Tennessee, Vol Nation, and anyone who is involved with Tennessee remains strong. I am still giving my all for Tennessee!”

Do you recall quotes like that about our recent coaching fails?

 

[Vol524]

I like Pruitt. He is honest with the players. The problem with honesty is, many people can't handle the truth. Oh they say they want the truth but deep down inside they can't handle it Often the truth hurts. But, that is how you improve yourself. You can tell Pruitt hates losing and that he has high standards. Besides his football knowledge, the biggest thing I like is he doesn't care what other people think about his opinion.

 

[Sara Clark]

You're one of those "insider" folks like Beaver, aren't you?



In fairness, I thought along "logical" lines after he was hired about a possible Bama flip in the future. Say he does well at UT, challenging for the SEC East spot at the CG and/or 9-10 win seasons and nice bowls. Does he jump ship to move back to Alabama if they offer because of his historical ties to that University? Or does he stay with the program he's built up into a contender?

The big question is "who wants to be the coach that follows Nick Saban?" Furthermore, "who wants the trouble of being the coach that follows Nick Saban?"

The coach who follows Saban, will be in a no win situation.

 

[Duckyvol59]

Let the tongue in cheek comment on OC go. If he had bit on that the hold press conference would have been on the OC. He was there to give his new players attention. As far as a 17th ranked class goes, if it gets us to 17th in country in 2 years I think it will be a brighter future.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

I understand where a lot of you are coming from with liking Pruitt based on his mannerisms and speech. I strongly related to Dooley and a lot of the things he said that we now laugh about I believed at the time to be clever and indicative of someone with a broad education and a analytical mind. In the end, I just had to focus on the on the field product and not my personal feelings about whether or not DD was the sort of person I'd want to share a drink and conversation with.

 

[Boca Vol]

And at some point, fans will start stepping away. And not out of rage or whatever, they’ll just get tired of being embarrassed. Out of state fans traveling in will be the first to stop making the trip. I didn’t go to a single game this year in Neyland, which is sad. I had fun for 3/4 of the game at Williams Brice, and then walked out feeling like a damn idiot. $600 and an entire day wasted.

This is a valid concern. I think the "die hard" UT fan will travel and show up. I think the average fan is what UT could lose. If a person in Memphis wants to watch an exciting team, they can go watch the Tigers. In Nashville, both Vandy and MTSU are options, and there's some excitement in upper ET with ETSU's new program.

UT, since the Interstate system was built, had a monopoly on college football in the state of TN. Now that you can get a 70" HDTV for the price of season tickets (1 year) who wants to go through the hassle and expense AND frustration of UT football? The die hards, of course. But you can see from the attendance this past season, the casual fan isn't showing up in the same numbers.

 

[GUNTERSVOL]

I would say absolutely huge year coming up next season. Another losing season and I think a majority of fans will have a very negative view of Pruitt. I will be of the opinion that he is not going to win here. Two years in a system and most of the players returning in the two deep should mean progress. So although he shouldn't be judged now another bad season with the returnees that we have certainly afford that we can view how effectively he is moving this program forward.

Really? if he does not make drastic improvements with his first full class playing their first year you can reach a logical decision on his abilities. Pretty dang egotistical position. Our program needs pride not ego demonstrated on the field, in the stands and on these boards.... It will be two years before we can determine if we have gained ground in the conference regarding our talent with this first real class and the few guys he prioritized in his first few weeks last year.... if he has we can hope he makes up more ground the next year and so on.... Bama, FL, GA, LSU and TAM will always find it easier to get balanced classes that create stable programs. But we can get close enough to win big, but it will be harder to sustain even if we get there. Those schools can screw it up and make it easier if they hire guys named Mike, Goff, Hollman, etc.
But getting them all on a down cycle at the same time is unlikely. Got to take our best shot and maximize what we got.

I guess all programs have guys on boards that take more shots at their own than the enemy.... Discretion as a fan is under valued by too many and that is a sad fact. You do not have to turn a blind eye, you do not have to sugar coat facts, but fans that publicly throw down on coaches and players in serial and repetitive fashion sadden me.... How many times do you have share publicly that the wife's Thanksgiving turkey was too dry? Less public communications is a better bet to achieve improvement.

 

[VolAllen]

Never considered it before now. Do you spend your time and money for the experience of watching a game or the experience of winning a game?

Well winning is obviously much more fun. It was a lot of work getting to that UF game in 2014, only to lose 10-9. Leaving the stadium felt like a funeral. I literally drove 7 hours, watched the game, drove right back home another 7 hours. What was I supposed to do? Party in Knoxville with all the Gators?

 

[jhen713]

I like him alot. He's a football guy, not some politically correct, catch phrase spewer. He is himself and says what he thinks weather we like it or not. I want us to win now just as much as any of us, but it's just take time... I think we saw glimpses in a few games this year, but the talent and depth just isn't there.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Its one thing to strike out swinging, but Pruitt doesn’t even seem to want to hold the bat.

I don't agree with this part, I can't say Pruitt isn't trying. He has a top 20 class in recruiting, a ranked SEC road win & a win over a top 15 SEC team at home. It seems that once he has the right horses in the stable for the type of ball he wants to play he should be successful.

But he's also a Saban assistant, so his media presence can't be that surprising...if he's annoyed by a question it'll show.

 

[DaddyChad]

I don't really care how likeable a guy Pruitt is as long as he wins. Saban is kind of a douche bag. Meyer was a major league douche bag of the highest order. James Franklin as well. Wins are what counts.

I do think Pruitt understands the conference and the model of what wins in the conference. He's from the area as well so he's more suited for the culture. I think Jones and Kiffin were surprised just how obsessive the fans were and it stressed them to a degree. Pruitt doesn't seem to be phased that much by fan sentiment and he shouldn't be.

Will he win? Hell no one knows. I do think there was some promise shown this year against Kentucky and auburn. Most of that promise eroded away following the Vanderbilt loss which was crap but motivation looked to be absent in some players. Recruiting has been a lot like that as well. On one hand our Oline class looks exceptional and secondary looks decent as well, on the other most other positions look deficent when compared to the likes of upper tier SEC competition

 

[chattavol420]

C'mon, the qualities you're looking at are 1) personality and 2) charisma??

Seriously, look up top coaches right now and you'll find more dull guys than not I bet. Now go to the rah rah up and comer cheesy guys and you'll find all the personality in the world.

Saban - dull, robotic, has he ever cracked a smile?

Kirby - same and he seems dumb too with that face of his

Urban - dull with a resting bitch face

Dabo - Most charismatic so far. Seems likable. 1 out of 4

Most coaches aren't Bruce Pearl. They are tough and serious, even to a fault. But so are great generals.

I agree with a lot of this. Maybe charismatic isn't the best word. Most coaches great coaches are articulate/excellent communicators. That's where I feel like Pruitt falls so short imo. But some coaches certainly are charismatic as well. Dabo, Kelly, franklin, amongst others are definitely full of personality.

Back to your original point none of the coaches you mentioned present themselves as dumb and uneducated...like our coach does. I certainly hope I'm wrong because I know what being right means. It means we're years away from having a dominate team.

 

[Volnbeers]

i could take or leave pruitt...much like the annual tradition of vols football

 

[08Vol]

Good post IMO.

I'm undecided on the whole "he can lead them to water but can't make them drink".

I don't have kids but I know lots of people that do and I've been one, obviously.

I constantly hear it talked about and I see it all around me " teenagers today. Can't do anything with them." Their voice matters more than it ever has. I know blah blah blah.

I'm not making excuses for Pruitt, but I do try to understand what he may be dealing with. Its hard enough without them have been under the influence of the previous leaders.

I don't know, I'm not privy to any inside info, but Pruitt had to field a team, so not playing some of the "problems" as a "punishment", wasn't an option that some think it was.

I dont know, maybe all of that is BS and Pruitt just sucks. Or maybe he's dealing with it and some people just don't understand or like it. Or him.

The problem with playing kids who are slacking off just don’t want to be here is that it reinforces that culture. Practice sucks, early morning workouts suck, doing hours of film study sucks, being so so tired from all that so you can’t go out with your friends sucks. If I see people slacking off, not putting in the extra time and effort, and still get playing time, then why would I keep busting my butt? It’s not like there is anyone better behind me and it has been made clear that the best guy starts, not the guy who works the hardest Sun-Fri.

This is a culture issue. Winners don’t want to join that type of culture. Iron sharpens iron. If I’m a top talent then I want to be around people who will push me, have the same goals as me. I want my hard work to be rewarded and if I slack off I need there to be repercussions.

 

[volsportsfan]

Extended patience from the fans and powers at be with cjp is the wisest move in our situation. If we want the best chance at getting Pruitts best, we have to be more patient than normal. He has a high ceiling, lots of potential, but he is/was very inexperienced when we hired him. He is learning on the job, more than big time programs and their fans would like, but that is what Fulmer chose and I hope he and Pruitt and the fans have the patience to hang in there another 4 to 7 years and wait for the cream ( hopefully, by the percentages ) to rise to the top. The cream being cjp at his best ( and that has a lot to do with gaining sufficient experience ).

Personally, I am fully prepared if he is fired after 3 to 5 years on the job. Patience is hard. I get it. We move on and simply have to hope that we hire the right man the next time. Then, rinse and repeat repeatedly until we finally have a great head man. Could happen in my lifetime, but I am prepared that it is a possibility that it doesn't. Life goes on and there are more important things than my favorite team being great at football, imo.

 

[Volz4lif3]

I don’t really care about him either way tbh. Trying not to get too attached considering how the last 3 coaches went.

I hope he’s dominate because that means UT is too but I would have been just as happy if Kiffin, Dooley, or Jones were the ones to bring us back.

My sentiments to a T... after all these coaches I jus can’t get too emotionally envolved how I feel bout them, I loved Majors loved Fulmer that’s all I’ve really known about Tenn football, but after the man who took Tenn football to another level got canned.. and after the way the admin handled the whole fiasco I wish we could rewind time and straighten out this football nightmare...

Ok but to your question I’ll let his actions and building a program try to win me over again, I pray to god he succeeds like I wished on the other three goofballs.. but I’m not buying in until he shows me.. Carry on VN jus my lowly thoughts..

 

[Volfan76]

I like the guy and am holding out hope that he does well, but the early signs are that he and Fulmer both are in over their heads. Hope i'm wrong.