Manning silent, Blackburn never got formal interview

[flatiron]

quite hypocritical seeing as how she found herseld qualified to run the entire university and she HERSELF didnt come from a P5 school

Why would being from a P5 school matter for academic-side of things though? It's an athletic designation, not academic.

Edit: see where 2 or 3 others made this point

 

[Iam4utalways]

quite hypocritical seeing as how she found herseld qualified to run the entire university and she HERSELF didnt come from a P5 school

Setting a standard is not being hypocritical.

 

[chargervol]

Are you not reading responses to this question you have?

As GAVol and I have both said, if Davenport came from Harvard, which is not a P5 school, would she still be a hypocrite?

Being Chancellor is an academic position first and foremost. Being in a "Power 5 Conference" is an athletic classification.

But she didn't come from Harvard. As I pointed out earlier she's never been the actual hired Chancellor at any University, no matter how large or small.
Whether anyone likes it or not, there is a touch of irony in going from an interim for one year, to running the University of Tennessee..While putting years of experience as your top qualifier for hires.

 

[KBVol]

As of today, I'm in agreement with you on this hire. As I've said more than once, Im searching for reasons to change my mind because the hire has been made and like it or not, he's the new athletic director and I want him to be a success. I'm sure you do to.

But in my humble opinion, you're taking it a little too far and some of it seems to be exaggerated pettiness.

Tifwiw.

Probably is. Strong opinion about this, finding it difficult to be balanced here. Imho, the homerun hire was there for the taking, was set on a platter. And instead, the powers that be engaged in pettiness themselves and hired what looks like a good hire, a solid hire in most areas.....rather than go get the guy who would've united the fan base and would've been universally praised as the great hire.

Probably am pushing it a little too far, but from what I've consistently heard, I'm not much exaggerating the reaction from Kansas State fans at the news that we've hired away their AD.

 

[slickmo3]

You sound like Bammers did pre-Saban or Michigan fans since...forever. You don't want to do that. Time to grow up.

being 'grown up' is exactly why i wont call someone something they're not just to try to fool myself into believing something that isnt true...thats what sheep do

 

[slickmo3]

You can't seriously say that with a straight face as it pertains to an academic. I mean, Harvard isn't a Power 5 school either. Do you think that would disqualify an administrator from Harvard from working at UT?

given the backwards approach by ut?...yes

 

[KBVol]

My God, you've got a complex about me. I'm not talking down to anybody.

I've been very careful not to denigrate Blackburn and I would've been fine with him bring hired. I just think people fall into a trap of thinking there's only one right guy in the world for any job opening and they latch onto the idea and won't let go.

I'm sure Blackburn is a fine man. I just don't get how he was a slam dunk.

Don't have a complex, just disagree with pretty much you post.....and you surely do with me likewise.

To say that fans didn't know who Blackburn is and were somehow into supporting him is beyond disingenuous imo.

 

[05_never_again]

But she didn't come from Harvard. As I pointed out earlier she's never been the actual hired Chancellor at any University, no matter how large or small.
Whether anyone likes it or not, there is a touch of irony in going from an interim for one year, to running the University of Tennessee..While putting years of experience as your top qualifier for hires.

That's a more logically strong criticism than slickmo's, but are you saying that since she isn't experienced in her position herself, she should avoid hiring an experienced person to work under her to avoid being a hypocrite?

That's an interesting conclusion as well. She's there to act in the best interests of the University, regardless of how experienced she is, and if she genuinely thinks hiring Currie is in the best interest of the school she should do it.

 

[05_never_again]

being 'grown up' is exactly why i wont call someone something they're not just to try to fool myself into believing something that isnt true...thats what sheep do

You shouldn't really care if he is a "UT Man" or not. The best person for the job should be hired, regardless of where they come from.

Granted, the chances could be higher that the right person for the job has ties to Tennessee, but that might not always be the case.

 

[GAVol]

Don't have a complex, just disagree with pretty much you post.....and you surely do with me likewise.

To say that fans didn't know who Blackburn is and were somehow into supporting him is beyond disingenuous imo.

Not what I'm staying at all. I know they know exactly who he is. I just genuinely don't understand why people automatically jumped into "Blackburn or bust" mode when there were obviously going to be other candidates with resumes that included experience with much larger athletic departments.

For right or for wrong, I don't see how an SEC school stipulating that their AD have Power 5 experience is all that controversial.

 

[05_never_again]

Not what I'm staying at all. I know they know exactly who he is. I just genuinely don't understand why people automatically jumped into "Blackburn or bust" mode when there were obviously going to be other candidates with resumes that includes experience with much larger athletic departments. People have to concede that.

Because a lot of them wanted to be Blackburn hipsters. They saw the hiring of an obscure (to non-Tennessee people) person before anyone else did. I think that's honestly a lot of what it is.

 

[TNnative]

Why are you peddling this idea?

People wanted Blackburn because they knew of his ties and experience during his 2+ decades of working his way up from undergrad student, to student manager, to ultimately an Associate AD. It's been know for years that David was the biggest impediment to Lane Kiffin doing even more things that would've led to even more NCAA trouble during his time here.

We've also learned in the last year or so that it was Blackburn (within the AD) who was against firing Fulmer in the manner that he was fired and that he strongly urged against the hiring of Derek Dooley, which was both the correct judgment and evidently one of the things that sealed his fate with regards to not even being interviewed for a job that he continues to be the best candidate for even now imo.

We also all know what he's done at UTC.....every decision he's made, every coach hiring decision he's made to date has turned to gold.

So you can get off the condescending high horse and opinion that all of those who wanted DB for this job are a bunch of hayseed rube no-nothings. Sorry we weren't following his career back in the 90s or early 2000s.......but a lot of former coaches, former players and media members have made sure we've known who David Blackburn is for awhile now because of their experiences and dealings with him.....and their collective belief that he was the best man for the job.

I have read a few intellectual smackdowns before, but that one? I was glad to have a ring side seat. Well said, KB.

 

[Volfan76]

Yes, I don't really think he deserves too much credit for the football success. The coach who is entirely responsible for the resurrection of the program was there 4 years before Blackburn. Would you give credit to an Alabama AD hired in 2011 for all of their football national titles, or do you give that credit to Saban and the guy who hired him?

Again, the basketball programs were in great shape before he got there, so yes, I think he deserves limited credit for the continued success they've had as well. UTC women's basketball has won conference titles for a very, very long time. Their run of SoCon titles is UConn-like and extends way before he got there. Any AD with a baseline level of competency should be able to continue a long history of success with those teams.

Blackburn was given the keys to a nice car that drives well and he's been able to keep it on the road. Given some of the praise he gets on here, you'd be led to believe he took a jalopy stuck in quicksand and he's turned it into a curve-hugging Ferrari going 150 MPH.

He's done a good job, but he was placed into a good situation. That's why I scratch my head at the overflowing praise on VN for him.

Again, I think he's a local guy obscure to non-Tennessee people that has done a good job at a small school, and people thought they might get a "Wow! How did y'all know he was going to be hired" response from others if he ended up getting hired.

Davenport had been saying that she wanted somebody from a P5 school, so it shouldn't be surprising he didn't get the job.

You must be special. Your point makes no sense. It has been illustrated and proven false and illogical, but you just keep on trying to make it. There are numerous examples of records that Blackburn has broken and milestones that he has achieved that have never been achieved at his school OR conference and you try to pedal this garbage about him "keeping it on the road"? Sorry, but as soon as I find out what mental hospital you are at, i'm calling to have the internet privileges taken away.

 

[BearCat204]

They gave him Jalen Hurd's old number so he must be good

Lol underrated post

 

[chargervol]

That's a more logically strong criticism than slickmo's, but are you saying that since she isn't experienced in her position herself, she should avoid hiring an experienced person to work under her to avoid being a hypocrite?

That's an interesting conclusion as well. She's there to act in the best interests of the University, regardless of how experienced she is, and if she genuinely thinks hiring Currie is in the best interest of the school she should do it.

I said absolutely nothing about her avoiding it and you know it. Don't do the whole 3rd grade debate thing.

 

[chargervol]

Here's my thing. I have repeated the same question since this was announced. What has Currie done to promote wins by his teams, that should make me feel excited. Add in stories of his over-involvement, his restrictions on recruiting and a dislike for him by coaches

Here is the list of answers I've received.

1. He's a great fundraiser
2. You're just mad because it's not Blackburn.
3. Harvard isn't a P5 school.
4. Did I mention he's a great fundraiser.

He's here now so I darn sure hope he does a great job. But there's nothing out of line just because posters have questions.

 

[05_never_again]

You must be special. Your point makes no sense. It has been illustrated and proven false and illogical, but you just keep on trying to make it. There are numerous examples of records that Blackburn has broken and milestones that he has achieved that have never been achieved at his school OR conference and you try to pedal this garbage about him "keeping it on the road"? Sorry, but as soon as I find out what mental hospital you are at, i'm calling to have the internet privileges taken away.

He's broken records with a foundation that was not laid by him. My point isn't that complicated.

 

[05_never_again]

Here's my thing. I have repeated the same question since this was announced. What has Currie done to promote wins by his teams, that should make me feel excited. Add in stories of his over-involvement, his restrictions on recruiting and a dislike for him by coaches

Here is the list of answers I've received.

1. He's a great fundraiser
2. You're just mad because it's not Blackburn.
3. Harvard isn't a P5 school.
4. Did I mention he's a great fundraiser.

He's here now so I darn sure hope he does a great job. But there's nothing out of line just because posters have questions.

Where are these stories you speak of?

 

[GAVol]

Because a lot of them wanted to be Blackburn hipsters. They saw the hiring of an obscure (to non-Tennessee people) person before anyone else did. I think that's honestly a lot of what it is.

Maybe true for a few, but I don't buy that for most.

I guess, in the end, I just don't understand the average fan having a strong negative opinion on this unless the hire is just completely off the wall.

 

[wmcovol]

Weber won the Big 12 first season and returned to the tourney his second.

"Germans bombed Pearl Harbor!"

 

[chargervol]

Where are these stories you speak of?

The stories were here for several days. But there's a link to a Kansas State team beat writer, maybe you should listen to it.
I put it in the 'If Currie prevented Martin' thread. You can go to it or maybe someone, not on there phone, can move the link here.

 

[MikeVol44]

That's a more logically strong criticism than slickmo's, but are you saying that since she isn't experienced in her position herself, she should avoid hiring an experienced person to work under her to avoid being a hypocrite?

That's an interesting conclusion as well. She's there to act in the best interests of the University, regardless of how experienced she is, and if she genuinely thinks hiring Currie is in the best interest of the school she should do it.

He's saying that she doesn't have enough experience or ability to properly evaluate an AD for the role.

Nevertheless, she does have the authority and opportunity to make her intentions known with this hire--and that's exactly what she has done.

A WISE person who really does have the best interest of the Athletics Dept. in mind would've understood her inexperience and limitations and listened to the sports experts instead of the business experts.

She chose not to do that....She chose to defiantly stand with the academy and business ($$$) people. And Currie is a "safe" hire in the sense of his qualifications being hard to criticize...and simultaneously allows her to "thumb her nose" to the Haslams, Fulmers, and Mannings in the alumni....

 

[05_never_again]

I said absolutely nothing about her avoiding it and you know it. Don't do the whole 3rd grade debate thing.

You implied it via your labeling of her actions as ironic. You said it was hypocritical and ironic to place a prerequisite on somebody working under her (experience at the position) that she does not have herself.

So what should she have done instead? Does she have to be limited to hiring people that have less experience than her, to avoid being hypocritical?

Can a manager at a restaurant with no prior experience only hire waiters with no experience?

 

[chargervol]

You implied it via your labeling of her actions as ironic. You said it was hypocritical and ironic to place a prerequisite on somebody working under her (experience at the position) that she does not have herself.

So what should she have done instead? Does she have to be limited to hiring people that have less experience than her, to avoid being hypocritical?

Can a manager at a restaurant with no prior experience only hire waiters with no experience?

That's a strawman and not what I said.
Just stop.
I never suggested she exclude anyone.
The fact that you're being dishonest with your response is further proof of my point about the answers I get.

Interview people herself and find out if they're capable.


Using Blackburn example, he didn't climb the ranks at UTC. He came from the AD office here. It's nowhere close to being inexperienced with the matters at the University of Tennessee. He's MORE than familiar with what our budget and workings are.

 

[Behr]

who said peyton wanted him?

Come on man. It's getting ridiculous that it has to be repeated several times in several different ways, in the same post.

When I heard Peyton was on the committee and would hold one of the most influential votes, I somehow made up in my mind that he would be in favor of Blackburn and/or Fulmer. With all of that swimming around in my mind, I was sold on Blackburn or Fulmer. I wasn't really happy with the thought of Phil, but again, thought if Peyton wanted him, I would trust him over my personal uneducated opinion.

Does that help?