More change needed

#1

barney

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#1
I was glad to see Heupel act decisively to upgrade the defensive coordinator as soon as the season ended but its not enough.

Chop and Inge have not worked out. Martinez is a great recruiter and has identified some good talent in the portal, but it is not clear at all that he is an effective position coach.

The special teams took an unambiguous step back since losing Ekeler to Nebraska. Inconsistent kicking likely cost us 2-3 losses, and other than the touchdown return in the bowl game, the return game was a liability for most of the season.

The defensive line was the worst I’ve seen in years at Tennessee. If that unit does not improve drastically next year, Garner and Tennessee should part ways. Garner may be the best d line coach in history, bet prior results do not guarantee future returns.

Strength and conditioning and nutrition are my biggest concerns with the program right now. Young players are not getting bigger or stronger. We are undersized across numerous position groups. Gmac who is going to be competing for a starting job next year has yet to gain any weight since arriving on campus 1 year ago.

If Heupel makes more changes this offseason I think it could by him more leeway next year if things get off to a rocky start but if we continue with the same problem coaches year after year I don’t think this fanbase will extend as much grace.
 
#3
#3
I was glad to see Heupel act decisively to upgrade the defensive coordinator as soon as the season ended but its not enough.

Chop and Inge have not worked out. Martinez is a great recruiter and has identified some good talent in the portal, but it is not clear at all that he is an effective position coach.

The special teams took an unambiguous step back since losing Ekeler to Nebraska. Inconsistent kicking likely cost us 2-3 losses, and other than the touchdown return in the bowl game, the return game was a liability for most of the season.

The defensive line was the worst I’ve seen in years at Tennessee. If that unit does not improve drastically next year, Garner and Tennessee should part ways. Garner may be the best d line coach in history, bet prior results do not guarantee future returns.

Strength and conditioning and nutrition are my biggest concerns with the program right now. Young players are not getting bigger or stronger. We are undersized across numerous position groups. Gmac who is going to be competing for a starting job next year has yet to gain any weight since arriving on campus 1 year ago.

If Heupel makes more changes this offseason I think it could by him more leeway next year if things get off to a rocky start but if we continue with the same problem coaches year after year I don’t think this fanbase will extend as much grace.
All this has been posted a million times today.
 
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#4
#4
I was glad to see Heupel act decisively to upgrade the defensive coordinator as soon as the season ended but its not enough.

Chop and Inge have not worked out. Martinez is a great recruiter and has identified some good talent in the portal, but it is not clear at all that he is an effective position coach.

The special teams took an unambiguous step back since losing Ekeler to Nebraska. Inconsistent kicking likely cost us 2-3 losses, and other than the touchdown return in the bowl game, the return game was a liability for most of the season.

The defensive line was the worst I’ve seen in years at Tennessee. If that unit does not improve drastically next year, Garner and Tennessee should part ways. Garner may be the best d line coach in history, bet prior results do not guarantee future returns.

Strength and conditioning and nutrition are my biggest concerns with the program right now. Young players are not getting bigger or stronger. We are undersized across numerous position groups. Gmac who is going to be competing for a starting job next year has yet to gain any weight since arriving on campus 1 year ago.

If Heupel makes more changes this offseason I think it could by him more leeway next year if things get off to a rocky start but if we continue with the same problem coaches year after year I don’t think this fanbase will extend as much grace.
First, what about Redmond and Gibson? Redmond totaled 39 tackles, 10 pass breakups and three interceptions, sharing the SEC lead in passes defensed (13). Secondly, Evan Crabtree, who has been under Ekeler as an assistant, taught the kickers how to miss field goals? Rodney Garner—are you serious? You guys act like certain position coaches know a secret that the other assistant coaches do not know. They all know the same thing. So they have some secret drill? Coaches fire these guys to save their own ass.
 
#5
#5
Hey I am a huge fan of and have faith in Rodney but this was not a superb defensive line in 2025. Of course that is about the toughest position to stockpile talent and Vols in 2024 had insane depth with a number of 6th year Covid players. A few solid linemen also left in the portal along with a number of quality secondary players. Vols definitely need to retain key kids in the Garner machine.

Rodney needs to reload and I have no doubt with assistance and inspiration from Knowles that he will do that. The whole defense needs a talent infusion and maybe bring back Chavis and Dan Brooks as auxiliary staff to evaluate portal talent and mentor linemen needing additional motivation.
 
#6
#6
I was glad to see Heupel act decisively to upgrade the defensive coordinator as soon as the season ended but its not enough.

Chop and Inge have not worked out. Martinez is a great recruiter and has identified some good talent in the portal, but it is not clear at all that he is an effective position coach.

The special teams took an unambiguous step back since losing Ekeler to Nebraska. Inconsistent kicking likely cost us 2-3 losses, and other than the touchdown return in the bowl game, the return game was a liability for most of the season.

The defensive line was the worst I’ve seen in years at Tennessee. If that unit does not improve drastically next year, Garner and Tennessee should part ways. Garner may be the best d line coach in history, bet prior results do not guarantee future returns.

Strength and conditioning and nutrition are my biggest concerns with the program right now. Young players are not getting bigger or stronger. We are undersized across numerous position groups. Gmac who is going to be competing for a starting job next year has yet to gain any weight since arriving on campus 1 year ago.

If Heupel makes more changes this offseason I think it could by him more leeway next year if things get off to a rocky start but if we continue with the same problem coaches year after year I don’t think this fanbase will extend as much grace.
Have you seen our db Ty Redmond? His coachs name is Martinez. Garner isn’t going anywhere. Coach Knowles will be adding his own assistant defensive coaches Soon. Have you been following this team?
 
#7
#7
Martinez might have two CBs picked in the first round, I can't imagine getting rid of him. The safeties and the LBers have been the issues in pass coverage. The middle of the field is always wide open. That would be a Tim Banks/ William Inge problem. Inge has been a huge disappointment. He needs to go. Chop isn't a good coach per se, but he's here for recruiting. Upgrade if you can, but we still need recruiters.
 
#8
#8
I was glad to see Heupel act decisively to upgrade the defensive coordinator as soon as the season ended but its not enough.

Chop and Inge have not worked out. Martinez is a great recruiter and has identified some good talent in the portal, but it is not clear at all that he is an effective position coach.

The special teams took an unambiguous step back since losing Ekeler to Nebraska. Inconsistent kicking likely cost us 2-3 losses, and other than the touchdown return in the bowl game, the return game was a liability for most of the season.

The defensive line was the worst I’ve seen in years at Tennessee. If that unit does not improve drastically next year, Garner and Tennessee should part ways. Garner may be the best d line coach in history, bet prior results do not guarantee future returns.

Strength and conditioning and nutrition are my biggest concerns with the program right now. Young players are not getting bigger or stronger. We are undersized across numerous position groups. Gmac who is going to be competing for a starting job next year has yet to gain any weight since arriving on campus 1 year ago.

If Heupel makes more changes this offseason I think it could by him more leeway next year if things get off to a rocky start but if we continue with the same problem coaches year after year I don’t think this fanbase will extend as much grace.
I'm thinking Heupel is a dead man walking
after next season. If we go 6-6 next year, Danny will to have to make some tough choices.
 
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