Official Gruden Thread 39

[luthervol]

I would not at ALL be surprised to hear something in the next 48 hours putting the Gruden talk to rest and tempering the expectations of the fan base that are convinced he is coming and setting the stage for the actual hire. Some will love it, some will hate it but that is true with any hire. I know of at least one recruits dad who has been told, directly from "Dr. Currie" as he said, a hire will be announced on or before December 10th (probably before) and to not listen to the Gruden talk in the media and that we will be getting a top notch coach that knows how to win in the SEC. (Didn't say the name but sounds a LOT like Dan Mullen)

The AD knows what is going on and hears all the call ins and the fact you cannot hear the word Tennessee mentioned in a broadcast without the mention of Gruden. It has reached a level of belief that has taken on a life of its own. The LAST thing they want is for recruits to be expecting a hire that looks like it is not going to come to fruition.

At this point they know they have to address it as an official hire draws near imo. They cannot announce Mullen (Most likely imo), Patterson (possible but not super likely) or Norvell (vomit, not likely I HOPE) without first tempering fan expectations.

I hope you're wrong, otherwise TN is looking at another decade of irrelevant mediocrity.

 

[VFL92]

After Gruden, Harbaugh would be my second choice. Could totally get on board with him.

Sure, we'd all get on board with Harbaugh. But let's use some common sense, folks. Harbaugh is in the midst of trying to make the playoffs in the NFL right now. Do you REALLY think he's going to quit mid-season and become the head coach at UT? Currie said we'll have a coach by Dec. 20 or UT will have a new AD.

We'd all love it, but come on. There's a higher chance Brady Hoke is the HC next year.

 

['Boro-vol]

After Gruden, Harbaugh would be my second choice. Could totally get on board with him.

Well...it at least shows a willingness to go big.

 

[photovol]

If true I'm really going to regret spending $200 on new UT gear for the family on Friday night.

Doesn't have to be Gruden, but it better not be Dullen.

John Currie hears you and all VN hears you, No Dullen

 

[Kid Deezy]

I'm sorry....Butch had a vastly more qualifying resume than Scott Frost. He's done nothing worthy of a Blue Blood SEC program. I'm certain he's a fine individual and may be a homerun someday, but now is not the time for a hire with 2 years HC experience at a non-P5 program.

THANK YOU!!! I don't get this infatuation with Frost. He has a lot left to prove before I'm turning him loose at UT

 

[andywilson001]

I would not at ALL be surprised to hear something in the next 48 hours putting the Gruden talk to rest and tempering the expectations of the fan base that are convinced he is coming and setting the stage for the actual hire. Some will love it, some will hate it but that is true with any hire. I know of at least one recruits dad who has been told, directly from "Dr. Currie" as he said, a hire will be announced on or before December 10th (probably before) and to not listen to the Gruden talk in the media and that we will be getting a top notch coach that knows how to win in the SEC. (Didn't say the name but sounds a LOT like Dan Mullen)

The AD knows what is going on and hears all the call ins and the fact you cannot hear the word Tennessee mentioned in a broadcast without the mention of Gruden. It has reached a level of belief that has taken on a life of its own. The LAST thing they want is for recruits to be expecting a hire that looks like it is not going to come to fruition.

At this point they know they have to address it as an official hire draws near imo. They cannot announce Mullen (Most likely imo), Patterson (possible but not super likely) or Norvell (vomit, not likely I HOPE) without first tempering fan expectations.

That doesn't sound like Mullen at all... More like the opposite of Mullen.

 

[steve328]

Well Boro-vol is the one telling us it's been "reported" that John Harbaugh is interested. Google says nothing along those lines.

It was talked about on the recruiting forum a week or two ago. Initially came off TOS if I remember correctly.

 

[jctenn1]

Norvell is a name I won't even countenance. It's ludicrous for it to even be mentioned in reference to this job....same with Frost, Campbell, and a host of others.

agree 100%...low expectations in Memphis and they are in a bad conference..Go to a bowl game and you are hired for life in Memphis...
WAY to BIG a stage in Knoxville for him...
GBO

 

[midtnvol2]

What he has done there is really staggering. I do not have time to look up the stats but comparing his tenure at State vs. the previous years is eye opening. I read it somewhere not on the forum and not on SDS or any other hack sites. Was on ESPN or something. More 8 win seasons than from 1992 till he started or something like that. All from a school that recruits against and plays Alabama, Auburn, LSU and the rest of the West every year.

I understand the lack of excitement when compared to hiring Gruden but the total lack of respect for what he has done at State and what he could bring here is something I have a hard time understanding.

I am not saying he is a "done deal" by any means but in my mind he is one of the top 3 favorites in terms of "attainability and ability" and has the skills necessary to win here.

If we go from being willing to pay out big for Gruden and drop to he bottom of the barrel with Mullen without even attempting to go after Patterson, Peterman, Franklin, or Harbaugh with the big money, then Tennessee is still Tennessee and will continue to be mediocre at best.

 

[cwells52]

A name isn't a home run hire, a home run hire is someone who comes in and wins ball games and championships...No matter what that name may be.

 

[andywilson001]

If we hire Mullen then Currie flat out lied to boosters when he said "Big, Expensive and Explosive".

Grounds for termination imo

 

[VolFreakJosh]

I think I much rather have Mullen then Norvell

Those two even being mentioned in the coaching search is embarrassing enough.

The expectations here have fell down tremendously and it’s absurd having to expect less. Especially at a big time school like UT.

 

[BearCat204]

Meanwhile Cade Mays is posting pics on twitter of him in a Clemson uniform. Doubt a Mullen type hire will pull him away from Dabo.

a new one or are you talking about the one from a couple weeks ago?

 

[LittleDTO]

What if a caveat of the entire deal was to help get Mullen a raise? If Currie has, and has had his man (Gruden or not), then maybe a certain booster said "Fine, get your guy, but one of these (insert list of Jimmy Sexton's clients) gets an interview and enough talk to get a raise if they are not getting the job." That would make Jimmy Sexton happy which would in turn make Haslam happy I am sure. Just an interesting thought...

This kind of stuff goes on. Help me out here and i will help you out later.

 

[BearCat204]

If he hire Mullen then Currie flat out lied to boosters when he said "Big, Expensive and Explosive".

Grounds for termination imo

"Big, Expensive, and Explosive" are all pretty subjective.

 

[VFL92]

All valid points imo. Only counterpoint is highly competitive coaches sometimes jump at the opportunity to compete for championships over comfort.

Oh, I agree. And that's the only thing that plays in our favor. But I think Mullen's had chances to go to programs where that's reality in the past. And he's turned them down. I also think he really truly believes he could win championships at MSU.

 

[SmokinBob]

You would stop loving this insane bunch in these threads if Gruden turns us down?

I'm still giving it a 50/50 shot even though my gut says it's better. Regardless, I trust the follow up plan Atlanta alluded to yesterday even though I disagree with some on the meaning of his post. I think Currie will make a good hire. He has two great VFLs in Fulmer and Peyton advising him and I trust both of them to know what this hire means for our fan base and the Volunteer name.

I feel like you need a warm hug this morning with a whispered "it'll be okay."

GROUP HUG EVERYONE!

Needed that!

 

[wildorange]

Not jumping all over the Mullen train at all. Just saying we could do a lot worse and I would have him in my top 3.

NO hire will satisfy everyone...even Gruden.

Gruden will satisfy the VAST majority of this fan base. The level of excitement would dwarf ANY other hire.Tennessee wins in most all areas with a Gruden hire. He is our best option at this point. Our last 2 hires have been a slap to the face of fans. Gruden has not put this too bed, the AD has not put this to bed. I don't believe he has turned us down yet at all. But that is just me. I am all in till the end. SOON! GRUDEN TO THE HILL! I was at the game, most everyone is hoping for Gruden. I talked to a lot of people, they want to believe. Again the VAST support is with Gruden, a lesser perceived hire will have to prove it with wins. The future of UT's next decade hangs in the balance. Loyal folks have had enough. SOON! GRUDEN TO THE HILL!

 

[VFLBerg]

Reported or rumored? Where's the report? Honest question.

There was a random out of the blue tweet yesterday from a Chattanooga Times Free press reporter:

Twitter

 

['Boro-vol]

Who's your list Boro if not Gruden or Patterson?

I like CP at Washington, Venables wouldn't make me wretch. Les Miles would be worthy....a lot of people poo-poo that idea, but he did nothing but win 10-11 games, compete for the SEC and win a Natty. He knows the SEC landscape. With a worthy set of coordinators he could be special here. He's certainly more accomplished than Mullen and the rest of the squad of mediocrity.

 

[gr82btnvol]

Friday is coming whether we have an announcement or not.

Are you going to Disney Friday?? I went in September and it was awesome. Next trip there 2018 Christmas.

 

[tastycar]

I am just now popping in since 530...what is going on?

Cliffnotes, anyone? At work and can't go back.

Mullen is the only thing I've noticed

 

[jamesd1628]

A couple of things.

First - Recruits.
No way do we let recruits like Cade Mays on campus for his one and only official visit this weekend if we do not have a coach. Either the visits get rescheduled or a coach is announced. That is absolute recruiting malpractice if we allow that to happen.

Second - Bahamas.
No way does Currie go to the Bahamas if he doesn't have his guy. He said on Kick off show with Kesling that his family was going and he would try to get down there for a day or two. Then Hyams this morning on the radio said that Currie WAS going to the Bahamas. Then he had to be a douche bag and snidely say "maybe people should go down there and stake out the airport for planes."

This week should be interesting. Ideally we get an announcement tonight (Beaver said ESPN would get the right to break the story), but I'm not holding my breath.

Good points, but I’m not sure it points to a release this week. If it really is Gruden, and he really is concerned about the heat an announcement will bring to his assistants, then I can see the first release being made to recruits after the Vandy before they leave town. Leaks would start after that obviously, but it should by enough time for Gruden’s assistants to get through this weekend’s games without significant distraction.

 

[VFL92]

It was talked about on the recruiting forum a week or two ago. Initially came off TOS if I remember correctly.

Right. So that's a rumor, not a report. That's the point I was making. To say it's been "reported" that John Harbaugh has reached out to UT is flat wrong.

 

[Vol_4_Life94]

All valid points imo. Only counterpoint is highly competitive coaches sometimes jump at the opportunity to compete for championships over comfort.

One other point a lot are overlooking IMO is that his wife absolutely hated the pressure at Florida and has said so publicly. If she can’t handle UF no way she can handle UT, and you know what they say about a Happy Wife...