100% cosigning this one Coasty! I haven't always agreed with you BCarter but I do enjoy your posts! Hate that the atmosphere cause you to retreat
Went to the game Saturday with my buddy in the AD. He confirmed that Gruden was contacted and that it was more of a formality. He said that he heard Currie wanted Gruden to not officially turn down the position, and that Gruden wanted to clear the air tonight on MNF. He said the AD knows that the Bucs are aiming Gruden and there is interest on both sides. That comment that Gruden made that he wanted to respect the coaches was geared towards Dirk Koetter.
"KNOXVILLE, Tenn. Knoxville is ready to combust."
Jon Gruden and Tennessee fans have AD John Currie backed into a corner
I have trouble believing they'll make an announcement specifically for Gruden turning us down. I get where you're coming from but I have a hard time buying into that one. I don't think it's as simple as what I bolded in your post.
If we let Gruden go to the Bucs, Im done with this AD already. If we arent getting Gruden, nobody better get him.
To summarize a logic train whose pieces have been mentioned several times here, just maybe not all together, a train that leads directly to Gruden on Rocky Top:
~ ~ ~
1. Expectation Management. "Don't get your hopes up," every parent has said at some point. Why? Because hopes and dreams grow stronger and more powerful with time. If a dream has to be squashed, better that it be done early. Currie just had a fan barking "Gruden" at him, like a lunatic. Think he's not aware of the destructive potential of the fan base's mood? And yet not a peep from the UT administration about expectation management. No nipping it in the bud, no heading it off at the pass, they seem content to let the excitement grow and uncertainty fester. Would you do that with your children, if you didn't already know that the toy they really want is in the attic waiting to be wrapped, or at the very least that you intend to buy it soon? CONCLUSION: Jon Gruden is still in play. Maybe a done deal, maybe not...but he's in play.
2. Build the Hype: Not only is UT leadership not managing expectations, they are encouraging them. Big, exciting and explosive indeed. We think you are going to be very happy. Who says these kinds of things, unless they are confident of their ability to deliver the goods? CONCLUSION: Jon Gruden is not only in play, he's a lock.
3. Don't do Anything: What? We are in Day 7 of post-Butch Tennessee, and Jon Currie doesn't seem to be doing very much. In fact, he and his 4th floor compatriots seem not to have done much since Thursday. They've basically been sitting on their haunches for the past four days. Why would they be doing that? Isn't an intense hunt for a new coach under way? Didn't Currie say this was going to be his entire focus until we get our guy? And he's...wait, what? He's thinking about spending a day or two in the Bahamas for a basketball tournament? Okay.... CONCLUSION: You only stop working when there's no more work to be done...we got our guy. Some guy. Does it have to be Gruden, though? Yes. See points 1 and 2.
~ ~ ~
So that's the logic train. You don't need "insider information" to see that train's path, or its destination. I respect Atlanta Vol and his insights, but you don't need them to reach a clear conclusion that Jon Gruden is a lock. Don't need Beav, don't need Bubba, don't need Tuesday, as much as I appreciate all these fellas. Don't need them.
Only need eyes and logic to see where we're going. Or more accurately, who's coming to Knoxville.
Remember the charts that show various ways people react to stress over time? The basket cases have long ago fled, unable to cope with the long Quiet Period. The freak-outs have recovered, and are now holding steady. It's the fade-out crowd's turn to have doubts, to begin falling apart. Continued stress without relief may be wearing them slowly down, until they lose hope.
Don't join them, and if you are one of them, fight it. Don't fade out on us.
Jon Gruden is coming. Logic proves it, and a press announcement within the next 7-8 days will confirm it. Just hold steady, friends.
To summarize a logic train whose pieces have been mentioned several times here, just maybe not all together, a train that leads directly to Gruden on Rocky Top:
~ ~ ~
1. Expectation Management. "Don't get your hopes up," every parent has said at some point. Why? Because hopes and dreams grow stronger and more powerful with time. If a dream has to be squashed, better that it be done early. Currie just had a fan barking "Gruden" at him, like a lunatic. Think he's not aware of the destructive potential of the fan base's mood? And yet not a peep from the UT administration about expectation management. No nipping it in the bud, no heading it off at the pass, they seem content to let the excitement grow and uncertainty fester. Would you do that with your children, if you didn't already know that the toy they really want is in the attic waiting to be wrapped, or at the very least that you intend to buy it soon? CONCLUSION: Jon Gruden is still in play. Maybe a done deal, maybe not...but he's in play.
2. Build the Hype: Not only is UT leadership not managing expectations, they are encouraging them. Big, exciting and explosive indeed. We think you are going to be very happy. Who says these kinds of things, unless they are confident of their ability to deliver the goods? CONCLUSION: Jon Gruden is not only in play, he's a lock.
3. Don't do Anything: What? We are in Day 7 of post-Butch Tennessee, and Jon Currie doesn't seem to be doing very much. In fact, he and his 4th floor compatriots seem not to have done much since Thursday. They've basically been sitting on their haunches for the past four days. Why would they be doing that? Isn't an intense hunt for a new coach under way? Didn't Currie say this was going to be his entire focus until we get our guy? And he's...wait, what? He's thinking about spending a day or two in the Bahamas for a basketball tournament? Okay.... CONCLUSION: You only stop working when there's no more work to be done...we got our guy. Some guy. Does it have to be Gruden, though? Yes. See points 1 and 2.
~ ~ ~
So that's the logic train. You don't need "insider information" to see that train's path, or its destination. I respect Atlanta Vol and his insights, but you don't need them to reach a clear conclusion that Jon Gruden is a lock. Don't need Beav, don't need Bubba, don't need Tuesday, as much as I appreciate all these fellas. Don't need them.
Only need eyes and logic to see where we're going. Or more accurately, who's coming to Knoxville.
Remember the charts that show various ways people react to stress over time? The basket cases have long ago fled, unable to cope with the long Quiet Period. The freak-outs have recovered, and are now holding steady. It's the fade-out crowd's turn to have doubts, to begin falling apart. Continued stress without relief may be wearing them slowly down, until they lose hope.
Don't join them, and if you are one of them, fight it. Don't fade out on us.
Jon Gruden is coming. Logic proves it, and a press announcement within the next 7-8 days will confirm it. Just hold steady, friends.
Went to the game Saturday with my buddy in the AD. He confirmed that Gruden was contacted and that it was more of a formality. He said that he heard Currie wanted Gruden to not officially turn down the position, and that Gruden wanted to clear the air tonight on MNF. He said the AD knows that the Bucs are aiming Gruden and there is interest on both sides. That comment that Gruden made that he wanted to respect the coaches was geared towards Dirk Koetter.
Went to the game Saturday with my buddy in the AD. He confirmed that Gruden was contacted and that it was more of a formality. He said that he heard Currie wanted Gruden to not officially turn down the position, and that Gruden wanted to clear the air tonight on MNF. He said the AD knows that the Bucs are aiming Gruden and there is interest on both sides. That comment that Gruden made that he wanted to respect the coaches was geared towards Dirk Koetter.