Mike Leach describes conversations with Tennessee in 2017: 'It was like something out of Shakespeare'

[DC Vol]

I really hope Pruitt can get things turned around because the games we "should" have won are half way over, making the climb to 4 wins even more difficult.

No, I can't say anything about this staff for certain, but what I can say is so far they have either regressed or somehow failed miserably to prepare for their "cupcake" opponents, making us a national laughingstock and leading us to a start so bad some of us weren't even born the last time it happened.

I want to tell you it makes me optimistic that the best players on the team are seemingly the underclassmen, but it doesn't really do much to make me feel better after the way Pruitt just seems to stick his foot in his mouth repetitively. I question if he wants the job.

I guess time will tell, and until then we're all stuck arguing here on the internet hoping something good happens.

It's unbelievable that with:

Ga State
BYU
UTC
UAB

on the schedule that we're looking at 4-8 with glee and rationalization that we're improved after a 4-8 and 5-7 campaign in previous years.

 

[DC Vol]

Fulmer was a panic hire (by the chancellor) nothing more.

So you're not on the Fulmer for AD bandwagon.

Were you a fan of Hamilton/Hart/Currie?

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

It's because he was in a lawsuit with Texas Tech. Well known. Google is your friend.

 

[Bob Neyland]

Totally fine to say you don't trust Pruitt. It is true that he has never rebuilt a program. However, you don't know that he can't like I don't know if he can. I would argue that he has been apart of Alabama's rebuild under Saban as Dir of Player Development in 2007.

I can only say this that has been offered as proof for Pruitt. The best players in the two losses have been his recruits. That is visible. Pruitt has been able to go after top coaches in Tee/Chaney to upgrade the staff given the roster was coming off 4-8/5-7 seasons. It is clear that he is recruiting help on the way that seem pretty committed as well.

With that said, I think if we were to go down the Leach route, people would easily give him 2-3 season passes in the name of "recruiting players for his system" and "changing the culture" because lets face it, the culture would shift drastically from what it was under Butch and even in the AD.

I think our current staff is top notch and has a clear track record of success this decade in terms of coaching or development or recruiting, respectively.

I'd rather give Pruitt 2020 to make a big leap (8 wins minimum in regular season) when the overwhelming majority of the two deep and roster are his kids and the majority of the majority have been in his S&C for multiple years.

I just don't see the value in torching 10+ million in Pruitt/Staff buyouts plus another 5-10 million in new coach buyouts/salaries just to reset.

This makes total sense. And what most rational people would support. But this VolNation. Bob Neyland himself would get fired after 14 mos.

 

[livefaith]

Mike Leach is exactly where he needs to be. He couldn’t handle himself at a lower school in Texas what makes me believe he can handle the top school In Tennessee?

Uhhh, are you thinking @ the same UK that am? The offense lit up the scoreboard. But, unfortunately the defense allowed it even faster. Now if Mumme made the OC responsible for the D too, then I can see your point.

 

[Bob Neyland]

So what amount of money will UT lose between now and December 2020 if we roll with Pruitt?

I'm eager to actually compare this because if we fire him after year 2, there is roughly 20 million or so additional being thrown on top of Butch's current buyout.

And in regards to your comment of "If we start getting better QB play", we can only pray. lol

Lose money? Between merchandising and SECN payouts, it’s minuscule.

The best thing to do is support the team. I hated Butch Jones and called him the charlatan he is. But as long as he’s coach, you don’t gain anything by cutting him off at the knees. Just don’t renew.

 

[JMSqb11]

Hard to say.

After the last 2 years (4-8, 5-7) if Pruitt does tank this year and we're 2-10, it will be hard to sniff the $38mil in ticket sales. Not to mention donations will be down as well as merchandise/etc sales will tank as well. UT's gross revenue is something around $150mil, I can easily see a net hit $10-20mil.

I think it would be a year by year thing. Lets say that we finish anywhere between 2-10 to 4-8..... As long as we keep the recruiting class together and find ways to upgrade the staff aka Bye Bye Will Friend, people will turnout for the season opener for 2020 regardless of our record in 2019. It literally happens every year.

I also think if you see a net hit of 10-20 million for the AD, I'd assume you weren't including the increase of money raised because of the basketball/baseball programs getting better especially if Barnes secures the #1 class. Not saying they are going to raise 10-20 million to cover it, but I would expect as significant 7 figure increase over the annual average for basketball alone.

I also just view Pruitt as Phil's first football hire and I don't think Phil is going to cut Pruitt after 2 seasons. Especially given that Pruitt's recruits are playing well and showing promise, which they are as evidenced in games 1 and 2.

 

[pharmDvol11]

To Leach or not to Leach; that is the question:
Whether ‘tis nobler in the mind to suffer
The fun and gun of outrageous offense,
Or to take arms against an offense of... anybody else,
And by opposing defense end them? To win: to coach;
No more;

 

[DEFENDTHISHOUSE]

Those first three season records were at Washington State. Please read before posting. Resources shouldn't matter if he is that good.

 

[Cobb-Webb 1989]

Do you know for a fact that Fulmer even wanted to coach anymore after TN? Also, how do we know nobody wanted him? Nice deflection though.

Try answering my question.

Here's your answer



He wanted a program like Clemson

 

[DC Vol]

Ok so let’s firget about Texas and OU. UCLA, Arizona, Michigan, Ohio State, Florida, FSU, Miami, UGA, TAMU, Nebraska, USC, Oregon, PSU, Mississippi State. A whose who of big time programs that never looked Leach way.

Why?

BLUF: Leach is a good coach but is a nightmare for an AD/BoT/Boosters to deal with. That's why he isn't getting looks, not because of his coaching ability.

Regardless, most of those programs currently have an alum with a good record (UGA (no HC record, but an alum), Mich, Miami, Neb) or an internal hire (Ohio State, Oregon, Oklahoma) with no HC experience. Well, Cristobal was HC at FIU and his record was pretty bad.

FSU, Penn State and LSU didn't hire an alum, but they did hire a local guy whose dream job is that school and had adequate/good HC track records... but all did have some level of HC experience. Orgeron is really the only one who didn't have an excellent record, but it was Ole Miss where everyone fails at unless they commit a massive amount of violations.

Arizona isn't a big time program, nor is Mississippi State. Good lord you really put those in there with the other programs?

LA and a weakened PAC-12 hired Chip Kelly, not UCLA.

TAMU is above having to look at Leach, even if he isn't a PITA. A&M is probably one of the best jobs in the country and that school has unbelievable funding and recruiting ability. We're nowhere even close to A&Ms stratosphere right now.

 

[Pride85]

BLUF: Leach is a good coach but is a nightmare for an AD/BoT/Boosters to deal with. That's why he isn't getting looks, not because of his coaching ability.

Regardless, most of those programs currently have an alum with a good record (UGA (no HC record, but an alum), Mich, Miami, Neb) or an internal hire (Ohio State, Oregon, Oklahoma) with no HC experience. Well, Cristobal was HC at FIU and his record was pretty bad.

FSU, Penn State and LSU didn't hire an alum, but they did hire a local guy whose dream job is that school and had adequate/good HC track records... but all did have some level of HC experience. Orgeron is really the only one who didn't have an excellent record, but it was Ole Miss where everyone fails at unless they commit a massive amount of violations.

Arizona isn't a big time program, nor is Mississippi State. Good lord you really put those in there with the other programs?

LA and a weakened PAC-12 hired Chip Kelly, not UCLA.

TAMU is above having to look at Leach, even if he isn't a PITA. A&M is probably one of the best jobs in the country and that school has unbelievable funding and recruiting ability. We're nowhere even close to A&Ms stratosphere right now.

So, basically, no one wanted him, but it is only because they wanted someone else. Ok?

 

[DC Vol]

I think it would be a year by year thing. Lets say that we finish anywhere between 2-10 to 4-8..... As long as we keep the recruiting class together and find ways to upgrade the staff aka Bye Bye Will Friend, people will turnout for the season opener for 2020 regardless of our record in 2019. It literally happens every year.

I also think if you see a net hit of 10-20 million for the AD, I'd assume you weren't including the increase of money raised because of the basketball/baseball programs getting better especially if Barnes secures the #1 class. Not saying they are going to raise 10-20 million to cover it, but I would expect as significant 7 figure increase over the annual average for basketball alone.

I also just view Pruitt as Phil's first football hire and I don't think Phil is going to cut Pruitt after 2 seasons. Especially given that Pruitt's recruits are playing well and showing promise, which they are as evidenced in games 1 and 2.

If we could have only gotten a Pittman/Chaney package deal. Chaney needs Pittman or another top-level OL coach (Cregg) something fierce in order for his scheme and playcalling... quirks... to work.

 

[Bob Neyland]

Bobby Dodd had a lifetime 70% win rate. But plenty of sub-500 teams too. The problem, as he recognized, is that most people can’t see the long term ...

If UT went 4-8 this year and won a National Championship is 2023, would you be happy? I think most wouldn’t be.

 

[DC Vol]

So, basically, no one wanted him, but it is only because they wanted someone else. Ok?

Let me just repaste my BLUF:

Leach is a good coach but is a nightmare for an AD/BoT/Boosters to deal with. That's why he isn't getting looks, not because of his coaching ability.

 

[DC Vol]

Bobby Dodd had a lifetime 70% win rate. But plenty of sub-500 teams too. The problem, as he recognized, is that most people can’t see the long term ...

If UT went 4-8 this year and won a National Championship is 2023, would you be happy? I think most wouldn’t be.

I think at this point if we go 4-8 most would probably be okay. The start is atrocious but that means we beat 2 of Kentucky/Mizzou/Vandy/Miss State and win both UTC and UAB. Honestly, 4-8 is about the best I can see at this point.

And your last zinger? You're absolutely right. If we win a NCG in 2023 I would be miserable. You're exactly right. It's not that we lost to a Sunbelt team that straight up bullied us in our stadium... it's because I'll never be happy.

 

[JMSqb11]

If we could have only gotten a Pittman/Chaney package deal. Chaney needs Pittman or another top-level OL coach (Cregg) something fierce in order for his scheme and playcalling... quirks... to work.

I think Pruitt will see the light as he clearly isn't glued to any single staffer as long as an upgrade is available.

 

[Bob Neyland]

I think at this point if we go 4-8 most would probably be okay.

The start is atrocious but that means we beat 2 of Kentucky/Mizzou/Vandy/Miss State and win both UTC and UAB.

Honestly, 4-8 is about the best I can see at this point.

Likewise. But I can remember going to a game with a major booster after UT went 9-2. And all I heard was how much UT sucks.

Another player in the car was all-SEC and just rolled his eyes.

 

[DC Vol]

I think Pruitt will see the light as he clearly isn't glued to any single staffer as long as an upgrade is available.

UT needs to do whatever it takes to get Pittman after this year. If that doesn't work, hit up Cregg hard.

Both have a relationship with Chaney, are good/excellent recruiters and most importantly are 2 of the best OL coaches in the business. No more "Gump Connection" hiring.

 

[ellivhsaN]

Who said anything about Memphis?

I was gonna say Vandy.. but Memphis works as well.

 

[LosersWithSocks]

The fact that Currie didn't speak to Leach until after his ridiculous attempt at hiring Schiano was blocked by the Vol faithful, and after going after Dave Doeren also shows how bad he was.

I still cannot believe we almost had Schiano as a head coach. It's embarrassing

Is the guy even coaching anywhere now? Seems like Currie had plans to get an ill equipped coach PAID.

Oh, Schiano "resigned" his position in the NFL to spend more time on "faith and family."

Michael Bennett bashed the eff out of him too - said he has little man syndrome and that the locker room has no respect for him.

LOL.

The Greg Schiano coup d'état was like the Vols' 9/11 moment - we ALL came together and agreed on that one.

Pruitt may not be the guy, but I KNOW Schiano was not the guy. We at least have hope (eh) that Jeremy can surprise us. Schiano was guaranteed to extend the Decade+ of Darkness.

 

[DougVol]

The "Oh what could have been" crowd are a bunch of the same ones always crying "Don't set yourself up for disappointment".

Lmao. Can't make this chit up.

No kidding, apparently being losers is a Vol plague on everyone associated w the program. Fans especially.

 

[WilliamDuVOL]

It's unbelievable that with:

Ga State
BYU
UTC
UAB

on the schedule that we're looking at 4-8 with glee and rationalization that we're improved after a 4-8 and 5-7 campaign in previous years.

Individual positions have improved. The team as a whole, and likely the coaching staff has not. The worst part is after this year we will be back to playing a much harder OOC schedule. We already play 3 to 5 ranked teams in conference every year it seems. We need to stop scheduling ourselves extra losses lol...

 

[Behr]

No kidding, apparently being losers is a Vol plague on everyone associated w the program. Fans especially.

Egzacktly.

 

[orangelo]

Leach (thought I wanted him) may not have been the answer but i would bet the farm with this team he'd be 2-0 at this point.