Message to the Media --- If You're Reading

[DaddyChad]

Maybe ole Jimmy Haslam can hire you on in an advisory capacity, DG.

Absolutely spot on, the media was going to kick Tennessee whether they hired Schiano or not. This was going to be used against us by opposing coaches whether he was hired or not. Currie put us in a no win situation.

 

[LouderVol]

agree about the media pushing a stereotype about us. They are so quick to point out how bad things are, usually blowing it way out of proportion.

I definitely agree that my main problem with Schiano is his record. Big East don't impress me much, we just fired a coach with a similar back ground. No ties to the SEC.

Of course they want to smear us as idiots while ignoring any rational reasons to not be happy with the hire.

 

[MyBloodRunnethOrange]

Post if the day so far

 

[csheaton]

Couldn't agree more.....it is just the wrong hire. It doesn't mean Schiano is guilty, but after all of the Title IX stuff and the Tyndall crap etc etc...we needed to make a safe hire and Schiano was not it from a PR perspective, or even coaching perspective. There are other candidates better on both ends, and I do not believe everyone would have turned us down. Probably will now though. I do not care what the media says because a lot of them are the same people that would have been outraged if we had hired Schiano and supported him after all of the rape culture accusations. Damned if you do, damned if you don't nowadays...and most of them don't even know enough about the inner wokings, power players, and what has gone on an entire decade here to have a respectable opinion on the matter. Most of them probably aren't even aware the same people that run the Browns run UT. It's laughable at best

 

[ArmchairQB]

The same pundits who are ripping Tennessee now would have had plenty to say anyway if the hire had gone through. Instead of dogging the fan base, they would have been questioning the wisdom of the Athletics Department, and it would have looked about like:

Tennessee's hire of Greg Schiano is not without considerable risk. Former Penn State assistant Mike McQueary's 2016 deposition tabbed Schiano as being aware of Jerry Sandusky's crimes as far back as the early 1990s. Tennessee settled a sexual assault suit brought against the university for $2.48 million in 2016, and the hiring of Schiano can only result in heightened scrutiny of an athletics program that's already no stranger to Title IX issues.

Sports writing is as much about generating heat as it's about shedding light, any more. They'd have been all over a Schiano hire because of the clicks they'd have gotten, and we'd be naive to think someone wouldn't have tried to fit that narrative to the hire.

 

[ShoNuff]

It angers me watching the national sports media defend Greg Schiano today and try to smear the brave Tennesseeans who stood up against his hire to one of the most prominent positions in the entire state as 'dumb hillbillies.' It's a clear reminder why sexual abuse continues to happen.


Let's review the facts here:

Schiano may have been aware of Sanduky's crimes. Mike McQueary named Schiano as someone who had witnessed Jerry Sandusky's actions in the Sandusky child molestation trial. This information became public knowledge in 2016, so this is fairly recent, and a lot of people still don't know about it. It was not public knowledge at the time Schiano was hired at Ohio State.

Schiano's denial is not "proof" of innocence. Schiano denied knowledge, as did former Penn State assistant Bradley. The sports media and coaching cabal says "oh well ... Schiano is cleared." Like seriously. Sworn testimony in a court of law from a guy who had everything to lose by telling the truth is just summarily dismissed b/c football coaches (who are as bad as cops about protecting "their own") say "oh ... he's a good guy."

Schiano's "high integrity" story refuted by Tampa Bay. The problem is further exacerbated because the "Schiano is a high character guy" is directly refuted by his time in Tampa Bay, where he known as an abusive autocrat who actually spied on his players, lied constantly, rigged team captain votes, and pretty much alienated everyone within the program. Ask the guys who played under Schiano at Tampa Bay about his "high integrity." At least one player compared playing under Schiano to being in Communist Cuba. Do you think a guy like that would stand up against sexual abuse? Or do you think a petty autocrat who tries to control information might try to hide information about sexual abuse? Several NFL insiders have also said Schiano is low character / low class as it gets and hiring him would be a disaster for any program. He's even been in a heated disputes with players (including former Vol Peyton Manning) over one of his tactics which involves trying to take out the knees of unprotected players at the end of games during the "kneel-down" play. During his time in the NFL, he showed the exact opposite of integrity.

UT Message Boards Did More Through Due Diligence than Athletic Department. Tennessee Volunteer fans did more thorough due diligence on Schiano than the Tennessee Athletic Department and several other schools. The crazy thing is most of this information is readily available via Google. But phone calls to Bill Belichick and Urban Meyer and a couple of other coaches apparently nullifies any accusations ever leveled against him. Nevermind that this same "vetting process" would've said Jerry Sandusky was A-OK. The UT Vols message board and Twitter communities are very active. There's been a lot of discussion about potential coaching candidates. No candidate attracted as near universal disgust as Schiano did. This is primarily because his questionable integrity became obvious in the heated message board discussions where everyone was forced to deal with his long track record of questionable ethics. People are not willing to overlook the statement by Mike McQueary (who is viewed by the public as a much more honest and reliable witness) than Schiano (who has a long record of lying and manipulating and less than stellar integrity.)

"Guilt" is a standard for a court of law; not for major high-profile positions. We'll never know the precise facts regarding Schiano's knowledge of Sandusky's crimes, but the idea that you just make a man this with long of a track record of ethical issues the face of one of the nation's largest public universities, hand him a $5 million salary, and put him in charge of hundreds of people (including many young impressionable 18 - 23 year old men) just because Bill Belichick says "he's OK" is ludicrous. "Guilt beyond a reasonable doubt" is not the standard. "Proven integrity" should be the standard for a high-profile public position. That standard is nowhere close to being met by Schiano. Obviously, no one is perfect and many football coaches have flawed records, but there are much larger question marks about Schiano than any other candidate mentioned. You can't hire a guy simply with questionable integrity simply because his integrity hasn't been debunked in a criminal trial in a court of law.

Tennessee fans were right. I'm proud of the Tennessee fans that shut this down. We were 100% in the right. You don't make this guy one of the most powerful persons in the state of Tennessee and the face of the flagship university when you have major questions about whether he'd stand up to sexual abuse. The Art Briles scandal at Baylor happened just a few years ago, and the media is seriously trying to say we have no legitimate concerns? The hire may have very well destroyed the entire program. Contrary to the media's biased reporting, this was not a "football thing." Many of us UT fans would've been disappointed with a mediocre hire, but we still would've supported the team.

Schiano was the line in the sand. He was a mediocre hire whose integrity was very much at question. It honestly would bring tears to my eyes to know that a man who may have protected Jerry Sandusky would be wearing Tennessee orange on the sidelines and speaking as the voice of the community. A poor coach is one thing; this was quite another.


The national sports media should be ashamed for trying to demonize Tennessseans for standing up against sexual abuse. With all the stuff that has come out against Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, Roy Moore, John Conyers, etc, etc, etc, you'd think a small group of Tennesseans who took a hard-line against sexual abuse would be hailed as heroes. Instead, we're being treated like 'dumb hillbillies' who 'think they deserve too much.' And then the media wonders how sexual abuse continues to happen. The allegations against Schiano have not been proven in a court of law, but that doesn't mean we should rush out and hire the guy just because Urban Meyer and Bill Belichick vouch for him. These are major question marks for a person leading young men and Schiano does not met the standards of integrity that should be expected.

also doesnt prove he's guilty. left that part out.

 

[FearThe4]

No one in the national media would have dared to support Schiano going back 4-5 years ago when everything was going down.

Why now? Hypocrisy and getting back to the same culture that allowed Sandusky for 15 years.

 

[NorthDallas40]

Posted this in another thread in answer that this was because he was a bad football coach. No it’s because I care about the integrity of my alma mater and don’t want to see it associated with Sandusky or Ped St.

==========

Disagree. My single biggest issue was association with the Sandusky affair. I do not want my alma mater associated with Ped St. Period. I could care less he denied it. I could care less he’s. DC at tOSU. That’s their business don’t care. I DO care about the integrity of my alma mater.

This was pure tone deaf on the part of Currie. It is ammo for the next Title IX accuser. It’s myopic considering the still pending litigation and recent settlements.

Greg Schiano should never have been considered for HC at TN in order to protect our university from association with the Sandusky travesty. The fact that he is a ****ty football coach is additional ammo for me not the main reason.

And I’m ******n tired of sports media telling ME what my damn reasons are for protesting this hire. I know EXACTLY why I hated it

#firecurrie #schiaNO

 

[NorthDallas40]

also doesnt prove he's guilty. left that part out.

This isn’t a court of law. To many myself included association with the Sandusky affair is enough of a 10 foot pole by itself. Could care less he denied it.

 

[ShoNuff]

This isn’t a court of law. To many myself included association with the Sandusky affair is enough of a 10 foot pole by itself. Could care less he denied it.

there's plenty of people on this forum who like to pretend they are the law and know all. that's for sure.

 

[Matt2496]

If I could like the OP's post 100 times, I would.

 

[NorthDallas40]

there's plenty of people on this forum who like to pretend they are the law and know all. that's for sure.

Apparently there are even more through out the state, sitting in the state legislature, and running businesses within the state. And I’m totally ok with being included with them.

 

[VolFan4Life87]

*BUMP* Can we sticky this?

 

[Smallvol#1]

Thanks, DG. Well written and well reasoned. 🍊👍

 

[BearBryant]

It angers me watching the national sports media defend Greg Schiano today and try to smear the brave Tennesseeans who stood up against his hire to one of the most prominent positions in the entire state as 'dumb hillbillies.' It's a clear reminder why sexual abuse continues to happen.


Let's review the facts here:

Schiano may have been aware of Sanduky's crimes. Mike McQueary named Schiano as someone who had witnessed Jerry Sandusky's actions in the Sandusky child molestation trial. This information became public knowledge in 2016, so this is fairly recent, and a lot of people still don't know about it. It was not public knowledge at the time Schiano was hired at Ohio State.

Schiano's denial is not "proof" of innocence. Schiano denied knowledge, as did former Penn State assistant Bradley. The sports media and coaching cabal says "oh well ... Schiano is cleared." Like seriously. Sworn testimony in a court of law from a guy who had everything to lose by telling the truth is just summarily dismissed b/c football coaches (who are as bad as cops about protecting "their own") say "oh ... he's a good guy."

Schiano's "high integrity" story refuted by Tampa Bay. The problem is further exacerbated because the "Schiano is a high character guy" is directly refuted by his time in Tampa Bay, where he known as an abusive autocrat who actually spied on his players, lied constantly, rigged team captain votes, and pretty much alienated everyone within the program. Ask the guys who played under Schiano at Tampa Bay about his "high integrity." At least one player compared playing under Schiano to being in Communist Cuba. Do you think a guy like that would stand up against sexual abuse? Or do you think a petty autocrat who tries to control information might try to hide information about sexual abuse? Several NFL insiders have also said Schiano is low character / low class as it gets and hiring him would be a disaster for any program. He's even been in a heated disputes with players (including former Vol Peyton Manning) over one of his tactics which involves trying to take out the knees of unprotected players at the end of games during the "kneel-down" play. During his time in the NFL, he showed the exact opposite of integrity.

UT Message Boards Did More Through Due Diligence than Athletic Department. Tennessee Volunteer fans did more thorough due diligence on Schiano than the Tennessee Athletic Department and several other schools. The crazy thing is most of this information is readily available via Google. But phone calls to Bill Belichick and Urban Meyer and a couple of other coaches apparently nullifies any accusations ever leveled against him. Nevermind that this same "vetting process" would've said Jerry Sandusky was A-OK. The UT Vols message board and Twitter communities are very active. There's been a lot of discussion about potential coaching candidates. No candidate attracted as near universal disgust as Schiano did. This is primarily because his questionable integrity became obvious in the heated message board discussions where everyone was forced to deal with his long track record of questionable ethics. People are not willing to overlook the statement by Mike McQueary (who is viewed by the public as a much more honest and reliable witness) than Schiano (who has a long record of lying and manipulating and less than stellar integrity.)

"Guilt" is a standard for a court of law; not for major high-profile positions. We'll never know the precise facts regarding Schiano's knowledge of Sandusky's crimes, but the idea that you just make a man this with long of a track record of ethical issues the face of one of the nation's largest public universities, hand him a $5 million salary, and put him in charge of hundreds of people (including many young impressionable 18 - 23 year old men) just because Bill Belichick says "he's OK" is ludicrous. "Guilt beyond a reasonable doubt" is not the standard. "Proven integrity" should be the standard for a high-profile public position. That standard is nowhere close to being met by Schiano. Obviously, no one is perfect and many football coaches have flawed records, but there are much larger question marks about Schiano than any other candidate mentioned. You can't hire a guy simply with questionable integrity simply because his integrity hasn't been debunked in a criminal trial in a court of law.

Tennessee fans were right. I'm proud of the Tennessee fans that shut this down. We were 100% in the right. You don't make this guy one of the most powerful persons in the state of Tennessee and the face of the flagship university when you have major questions about whether he'd stand up to sexual abuse. The Art Briles scandal at Baylor happened just a few years ago, and the media is seriously trying to say we have no legitimate concerns? The hire may have very well destroyed the entire program. Contrary to the media's biased reporting, this was not a "football thing." Many of us UT fans would've been disappointed with a mediocre hire, but we still would've supported the team.

Schiano was the line in the sand. He was a mediocre hire whose integrity was very much at question. It honestly would bring tears to my eyes to know that a man who may have protected Jerry Sandusky would be wearing Tennessee orange on the sidelines and speaking as the voice of the community. A poor coach is one thing; this was quite another.


The national sports media should be ashamed for trying to demonize Tennessseans for standing up against sexual abuse. With all the stuff that has come out against Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, Roy Moore, John Conyers, etc, etc, etc, you'd think a small group of Tennesseans who took a hard-line against sexual abuse would be hailed as heroes. Instead, we're being treated like 'dumb hillbillies' who 'think they deserve too much.' And then the media wonders how sexual abuse continues to happen. The allegations against Schiano have not been proven in a court of law, but that doesn't mean we should rush out and hire the guy just because Urban Meyer and Bill Belichick vouch for him. These are major question marks for a person leading young men and Schiano does not met the standards of integrity that should be expected.

Thank you for this post. Excellent!!!

I would add one thing. To use Urban Meyer and Bill Belichick as character witnesses, is like having Jack the Ripper and The Zodiac Killer as jurors for Charles Manson.

 

[Brave Volunteer]

Relax, the media will move on in a day or two. Better to hear the backlash now than hire Schiano and have to potentially hear Penn State-related questions thrown his way while wearing orange.

 

[LittleCat]

As always DG, you summed it up perfectly. Thank you.

 

[lccstory@gmail.co]

Couldn't agree more. Just heard a caller on Finebaum say that Tennessee fans are delusional. We are not delusional. We know our current program stinks. We just don't want it to continue to stink. When the leadership (and I use that term loosely) at the university shows poor judgement, the alumni and fans have a right to speak up to try to prevent another poor coaching hire. Hang tough Vol fans; the media have never liked us anyway.

 

[SemperFiTn]

It angers me watching the national sports media defend Greg Schiano today and try to smear the brave Tennesseeans who stood up against his hire to one of the most prominent positions in the entire state as 'dumb hillbillies.' It's a clear reminder why sexual abuse continues to happen.


Let's review the facts here:

Schiano may have been aware of Sanduky's crimes. Mike McQueary named Schiano as someone who had witnessed Jerry Sandusky's actions in the Sandusky child molestation trial. This information became public knowledge in 2016, so this is fairly recent, and a lot of people still don't know about it. It was not public knowledge at the time Schiano was hired at Ohio State.

Schiano's denial is not "proof" of innocence. Schiano denied knowledge, as did former Penn State assistant Bradley. The sports media and coaching cabal says "oh well ... Schiano is cleared." Like seriously. Sworn testimony in a court of law from a guy who had everything to lose by telling the truth is just summarily dismissed b/c football coaches (who are as bad as cops about protecting "their own") say "oh ... he's a good guy."

Schiano's "high integrity" story refuted by Tampa Bay. The problem is further exacerbated because the "Schiano is a high character guy" is directly refuted by his time in Tampa Bay, where he known as an abusive autocrat who actually spied on his players, lied constantly, rigged team captain votes, and pretty much alienated everyone within the program. Ask the guys who played under Schiano at Tampa Bay about his "high integrity." At least one player compared playing under Schiano to being in Communist Cuba. Do you think a guy like that would stand up against sexual abuse? Or do you think a petty autocrat who tries to control information might try to hide information about sexual abuse? Several NFL insiders have also said Schiano is low character / low class as it gets and hiring him would be a disaster for any program. He's even been in a heated disputes with players (including former Vol Peyton Manning) over one of his tactics which involves trying to take out the knees of unprotected players at the end of games during the "kneel-down" play. During his time in the NFL, he showed the exact opposite of integrity.

UT Message Boards Did More Through Due Diligence than Athletic Department. Tennessee Volunteer fans did more thorough due diligence on Schiano than the Tennessee Athletic Department and several other schools. The crazy thing is most of this information is readily available via Google. But phone calls to Bill Belichick and Urban Meyer and a couple of other coaches apparently nullifies any accusations ever leveled against him. Nevermind that this same "vetting process" would've said Jerry Sandusky was A-OK. The UT Vols message board and Twitter communities are very active. There's been a lot of discussion about potential coaching candidates. No candidate attracted as near universal disgust as Schiano did. This is primarily because his questionable integrity became obvious in the heated message board discussions where everyone was forced to deal with his long track record of questionable ethics. People are not willing to overlook the statement by Mike McQueary (who is viewed by the public as a much more honest and reliable witness) than Schiano (who has a long record of lying and manipulating and less than stellar integrity.)

"Guilt" is a standard for a court of law; not for major high-profile positions. We'll never know the precise facts regarding Schiano's knowledge of Sandusky's crimes, but the idea that you just make a man this with long of a track record of ethical issues the face of one of the nation's largest public universities, hand him a $5 million salary, and put him in charge of hundreds of people (including many young impressionable 18 - 23 year old men) just because Bill Belichick says "he's OK" is ludicrous. "Guilt beyond a reasonable doubt" is not the standard. "Proven integrity" should be the standard for a high-profile public position. That standard is nowhere close to being met by Schiano. Obviously, no one is perfect and many football coaches have flawed records, but there are much larger question marks about Schiano than any other candidate mentioned. You can't hire a guy simply with questionable integrity simply because his integrity hasn't been debunked in a criminal trial in a court of law.

Tennessee fans were right. I'm proud of the Tennessee fans that shut this down. We were 100% in the right. You don't make this guy one of the most powerful persons in the state of Tennessee and the face of the flagship university when you have major questions about whether he'd stand up to sexual abuse. The Art Briles scandal at Baylor happened just a few years ago, and the media is seriously trying to say we have no legitimate concerns? The hire may have very well destroyed the entire program. Contrary to the media's biased reporting, this was not a "football thing." Many of us UT fans would've been disappointed with a mediocre hire, but we still would've supported the team.

Schiano was the line in the sand. He was a mediocre hire whose integrity was very much at question. It honestly would bring tears to my eyes to know that a man who may have protected Jerry Sandusky would be wearing Tennessee orange on the sidelines and speaking as the voice of the community. A poor coach is one thing; this was quite another.


The national sports media should be ashamed for trying to demonize Tennessseans for standing up against sexual abuse. With all the stuff that has come out against Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, Roy Moore, John Conyers, etc, etc, etc, you'd think a small group of Tennesseans who took a hard-line against sexual abuse would be hailed as heroes. Instead, we're being treated like 'dumb hillbillies' who 'think they deserve too much.' And then the media wonders how sexual abuse continues to happen. The allegations against Schiano have not been proven in a court of law, but that doesn't mean we should rush out and hire the guy just because Urban Meyer and Bill Belichick vouch for him. These are major question marks for a person leading young men and Schiano does not met the standards of integrity that should be expected.

No the media is right not one iota of evidence. McQuery testified multiple times in different trials each testimony was different couldnt keep same story. Public knowledge. This with Schiano was bilateral hearsay like my friends friend told him and he told me. Testimony to lead prosecutor was not viewed as credible why charges were never brought against Schiano. This from state prosecutors who were very aggressive in going after everybody. Instead of being dumb blind hicks sucks to say as im from TN, but if the shoe fits wear it. Ask yourself if he had anything to do with it, or if he knew why wasnt any criminal charges brought. Why did no victim come forward and say yeah i recognize him thats greg schiano he witnessed my rape. Not one civil suit has been filed in court against schiano. Thats ok though grab thee pitchforks go follow thy leader in rebel rouser d***sucker Clay Travis and make the university, the state look like undeducated hicks who cant read above the 2nd grade leve. Dan Wetzel followed the Sandusky trial and scandal closely. As he said if TN fans would have bothered to read the thousands and thousands of pgs in the disposition they could of seen their was no evidence of Schiano ever being involved, or witnessing anything.

 

[iluvsmesumdooley]

Exactly. Great post!
So Meyer and Bellicheck vouch for Schiano - lol!!! Didn't these two coach Aaron Hernandez?

 

[volzfanz]

One of the best well thought well written posts I’ve seen. Great post OP

 

[BODACIOUS]

Appreciate the post DG, well put

 

[m1al]

Like Urban Meyer's and Bill Belicheck's (sp) opinions mean a damn thing to me. Great coaches I admit, but both of them are 'win at ALL cost' guys. They are NOT bastions of integrity by any means and have both done very shady things in the interest of winning..

I can't give Tennessee fans all the credit here, but they damn sure don't deserve all the blame either. There were several really pissed off boosters who got powerful friends involved which provided some 'incentive' to kill the deal. That being said, I'm proud of my VolNation brethren fro standing up the way they did.

 

[photovol]

It angers me watching the national sports media defend Greg Schiano today and try to smear the brave Tennesseeans who stood up against his hire to one of the most prominent positions in the entire state as 'dumb hillbillies.' It's a clear reminder why sexual abuse continues to happen.


Let's review the facts here:

Schiano may have been aware of Sanduky's crimes. Mike McQueary named Schiano as someone who had witnessed Jerry Sandusky's actions in the Sandusky child molestation trial. This information became public knowledge in 2016, so this is fairly recent, and a lot of people still don't know about it. It was not public knowledge at the time Schiano was hired at Ohio State.

Schiano's denial is not "proof" of innocence. Schiano denied knowledge, as did former Penn State assistant Bradley. The sports media and coaching cabal says "oh well ... Schiano is cleared." Like seriously. Sworn testimony in a court of law from a guy who had everything to lose by telling the truth is just summarily dismissed b/c football coaches (who are as bad as cops about protecting "their own") say "oh ... he's a good guy."

Schiano's "high integrity" story refuted by Tampa Bay. The problem is further exacerbated because the "Schiano is a high character guy" is directly refuted by his time in Tampa Bay, where he known as an abusive autocrat who actually spied on his players, lied constantly, rigged team captain votes, and pretty much alienated everyone within the program. Ask the guys who played under Schiano at Tampa Bay about his "high integrity." At least one player compared playing under Schiano to being in Communist Cuba. Do you think a guy like that would stand up against sexual abuse? Or do you think a petty autocrat who tries to control information might try to hide information about sexual abuse? Several NFL insiders have also said Schiano is low character / low class as it gets and hiring him would be a disaster for any program. He's even been in a heated disputes with players (including former Vol Peyton Manning) over one of his tactics which involves trying to take out the knees of unprotected players at the end of games during the "kneel-down" play. During his time in the NFL, he showed the exact opposite of integrity.

UT Message Boards Did More Through Due Diligence than Athletic Department. Tennessee Volunteer fans did more thorough due diligence on Schiano than the Tennessee Athletic Department and several other schools. The crazy thing is most of this information is readily available via Google. But phone calls to Bill Belichick and Urban Meyer and a couple of other coaches apparently nullifies any accusations ever leveled against him. Nevermind that this same "vetting process" would've said Jerry Sandusky was A-OK. The UT Vols message board and Twitter communities are very active. There's been a lot of discussion about potential coaching candidates. No candidate attracted as near universal disgust as Schiano did. This is primarily because his questionable integrity became obvious in the heated message board discussions where everyone was forced to deal with his long track record of questionable ethics. People are not willing to overlook the statement by Mike McQueary (who is viewed by the public as a much more honest and reliable witness) than Schiano (who has a long record of lying and manipulating and less than stellar integrity.)

"Guilt" is a standard for a court of law; not for major high-profile positions. We'll never know the precise facts regarding Schiano's knowledge of Sandusky's crimes, but the idea that you just make a man this with long of a track record of ethical issues the face of one of the nation's largest public universities, hand him a $5 million salary, and put him in charge of hundreds of people (including many young impressionable 18 - 23 year old men) just because Bill Belichick says "he's OK" is ludicrous. "Guilt beyond a reasonable doubt" is not the standard. "Proven integrity" should be the standard for a high-profile public position. That standard is nowhere close to being met by Schiano. Obviously, no one is perfect and many football coaches have flawed records, but there are much larger question marks about Schiano than any other candidate mentioned. You can't hire a guy simply with questionable integrity simply because his integrity hasn't been debunked in a criminal trial in a court of law.

Tennessee fans were right. I'm proud of the Tennessee fans that shut this down. We were 100% in the right. You don't make this guy one of the most powerful persons in the state of Tennessee and the face of the flagship university when you have major questions about whether he'd stand up to sexual abuse. The Art Briles scandal at Baylor happened just a few years ago, and the media is seriously trying to say we have no legitimate concerns? The hire may have very well destroyed the entire program. Contrary to the media's biased reporting, this was not a "football thing." Many of us UT fans would've been disappointed with a mediocre hire, but we still would've supported the team.

Schiano was the line in the sand. He was a mediocre hire whose integrity was very much at question. It honestly would bring tears to my eyes to know that a man who may have protected Jerry Sandusky would be wearing Tennessee orange on the sidelines and speaking as the voice of the community. A poor coach is one thing; this was quite another.


The national sports media should be ashamed for trying to demonize Tennessseans for standing up against sexual abuse. With all the stuff that has come out against Harvey Weinstein, Bill Cosby, Roy Moore, John Conyers, etc, etc, etc, you'd think a small group of Tennesseans who took a hard-line against sexual abuse would be hailed as heroes. Instead, we're being treated like 'dumb hillbillies' who 'think they deserve too much.' And then the media wonders how sexual abuse continues to happen. The allegations against Schiano have not been proven in a court of law, but that doesn't mean we should rush out and hire the guy just because Urban Meyer and Bill Belichick vouch for him. These are major question marks for a person leading young men and Schiano does not met the standards of integrity that should be expected.

Just screw the Media, look at who they are

 

[Herman Hickman]

No the media is right not one iota of evidence. McQuery testified multiple times in different trials each testimony was different couldnt keep same story. Public knowledge. This with Schiano was bilateral hearsay like my friends friend told him and he told me. Testimony to lead prosecutor was not viewed as credible why charges were never brought against Schiano. This from state prosecutors who were very aggressive in going after everybody. Instead of being dumb blind hicks sucks to say as im from TN, but if the shoe fits wear it. Ask yourself if he had anything to do with it, or if he knew why wasnt any criminal charges brought. Why did no victim come forward and say yeah i recognize him thats greg schiano he witnessed my rape. Not one civil suit has been filed in court against schiano. Thats ok though grab thee pitchforks go follow thy leader in rebel rouser d***sucker Clay Travis and make the university, the state look like undeducated hicks who cant read above the 2nd grade leve. Dan Wetzel followed the Sandusky trial and scandal closely. As he said if TN fans would have bothered to read the thousands and thousands of pgs in the disposition they could of seen their was no evidence of Schiano ever being involved, or witnessing anything.

McQueary gave his side of events under sworn oath.

Schiano has failed to respond in a similar fashion. He has also declined to sue for defamation.

As OP stated, this is not a court of law. It is not the University of Tennessee's job to determine Schiano's innocence or guilt. It is also not their job to rehabilitate a coach who still has this hanging over his head.

And I notice you haven't touched what DG had to say about Schiano's time in Tampa, events that have been corrobated by Tampa media, former Buc players, and national NFL beat writers. Why?

This man was, and is, a scoundrel of epic proportions. We just finished ridding ourselves of a coach known for abusing players. Why would you want to replace him with someone who had a reputation for doing the exact same thing at his previous head coaching job?

This has done damage to Tennessee's reputation. That isn't the fault of the fans. That is the fault of UTAD and those who pull their strings.

Someone should've vetted Schiano properly. That wasn't done.