Official Jon Gruden thread XLI

[UTVolinExile]

Hmmm....

That is the most ridiculous Grumor I think I have seen in this entire process. It's so magnificently silly that you just can't help but belly laugh.

 

[Bukstar]

What is Internet shill? - Definition from WhatIs.com

If you are paid to be an anonymous influencer at some point you need to show your work... without actually being identifiable.

The hex key hides a longer ID key that only means something to the other party he communicates with.
The guy may have legit info, but I believe he is being paid to influence.

This is not good.

 

[jasonvol18]

If Gruden had been signed it would have been announced right after Butch was fired.

Not true.. rarely do they get announced before end of the season..Gruden would not allow it to get announced till end of the season.

 

[TheSpartan]

Too much hair, I think.

Ears are small just like his old photos and he looks wide enough to me. Casey Clausen is currently a head coach for a Los Angeles high school team. hmm..

 

[lifeVol]

agreed, and the MNF / TNF stuff is gonna get redone as well, because the NFL needs to reshuffle the deck, and ESPN will probably not be the player they were, jmo of course

this might not happen next season, but it's on the way, but don't tell Jimmy Hyams he will claim a scoop on this info

 

[Grand Vol]

The Grude News, special investigative edition. For those just joining us...

Not necessarily breaking news on this Thanksgiving, but I couldn’t find a snazzy “Special Investigative Report” gif that really worked. But I will start this by saying Happy Thanksgiving to each and every one of you (even you Catbone) and I hope this holiday finds you in good health and happy cheer with your family and loved ones.

Today, I’m doing a little investigative report along the lines of what Hawk has brought to us before. This is not an attempt to dox anyone and is a theory of mine, but something I’ve been thinking of for some time and why certain things didn’t “fit” into our normal coaching search paradigm. Some are facts, others are educated guesses, but I truly believe we are seeing the culmination of events that were supposed to unfold two years ago instead of now. It’ll be several parts to this thread and I thank those willing to read this novel. It has zero bearing on the current search, but rather tying up some loose ends.

TL;DR version: What we are a part of was started five years ago and might have been intended to have started in 2015.

KEY DATES TO REMEMBER

2011 UT Vols Football season – Vols go 5-7 and the writing is on the wall Derek Dooley will be on his way out the next season barring a miracle.

Nov 18, 2012 – Athletic Director Dave Hart fires Derek Dooley prior to end of season. Vols finish at 5-7 for the second straight year.

Nov 2012 – Initial Grumors are started almost immediately after the firing. Gain strength in the coming weeks.

Nov/Dec 2012 – Negotiations with Gruden fall through. At the time, Gruden’s agent stated Vols were in a “fantasyland” for thinking he would come. Which could have been interpreted as a very public way of saying “You folks are out of your mind if you think your offer was anywhere near acceptable.”

Dec 7, 2012 – Cincinnati Coach Lyle Allen “Butch” Jones officially announced as Vols newest head coach.

2012/2013 – Dave Hart reorganizes Athletic Department funds and frees up money originally intended for the academic side to assist shoring up athletic funds operating in the red

2014 Vols Football Season – Vols go 7-6 and are showing signs of rebuilding and on field performance is getting better.

5 Sep-3 Oct 2015 – Vols go 2-3 in start of season, losing to OU, UF and Arkansas

Oct 4, 2015 – MIT_Beaver registers on VN

2015 Vols Football season – Vols finish season 9-4 with extremely convincing win in the Outback Bowl. End up ranked #22 in final BCS poll.

2016 Vols Football season – Vols go 9-4 again, however, a late season meltdown causes them to miss the SEC Championship and possible Sugar Bowl bid. The primary engine in the offense, Josh Dobbs, graduates and the Vols are left leaderless at the QB helm for the first time in four years.

2016 – UT Athletics post record profits. Dave Hart announces retirement. Jimmy Cheek to step down as UT Chancellor.

2017 – Newest Athletic Director John Currie denies raise and extension to Coach Butch Jones

2017 Vols Football season – Vols go in initially ranked, but early losses including a blowout win by UGA at home show the team is not what many thought it could be. Fan base starts grumbling for coaching change

Early October 2017 – Rumors start that Coach Jones will not be back for the 2018 season and was informed after the UGA game. Vols continue playing “uninspired” football and lose four of the next five games with Jones at the helm.

October 2017 – Grumors start in completely unrelated thread. After being mostly silent, MIT_Beaver posts very cryptic messages in coaching search threads.

Nov 13, 2017 – Athletic Director John Currie officially releases Jones, names Coach Brady Hoke as interim head coach.

13-17 Nov 2017 – (Rumored) Jon Gruden signed as newest head coach at UT. Announcement not made public, however, many say the deal is done and not all are connected to UT Athletics. Zero word from the Athletic Department as Currie has information flow on lockdown.


KEY PERSONNEL

Athletic Director Dave Hart: Responsible for hiring Jones and reorganizing UT Athletics

Chancellor Jimmy Cheek: Key figure in 2012 coaching search and hiring of Jones

QB Josh Dobbs: High school recruit that mainly flew “under the radar” with recruiting. Proves to be highly capable QB at the helm.

Coach Butch Jones: UT Coach from 2013-2017. Proves to be outstanding recruiter, less capable on field of play

Boosters: Various personnel, but one faction decidedly always has Gruden as their target from 2012 until the present

Athletic Director John Currie: Surprising figure brought in from Kansas State that takes over UT Athletics Department

Chancellor Beverly Davenport: Current Chancellor of the University of Tennessee

Peyton Manning: Former Vols and NFL quarterback now allegedly involved in coaching search and with Board of Trustees. Rumored member of the Scarab Society.

MIT_Beaver: Interesting figure with information that’s almost too good to believe

Bubba: Enigmatic figure that somehow plays into this, but I can’t even begin to understand how. I do believe he is deeply imbedded in all this somehow and has information only a select few really have access to. But I have no idea how he plays into my theory with a join date of 2007. There is a theory he’s a high level member of the Athletic Department or a member of the Gruden camp. Nobody knows for sure. But his info so far has spot on.

Continued in next post.

 

[Grand Vol]

Part 2 of 4

THEORY

As we know, most coaches in the P5 ranks tend to get 3-5 years to prove their worth on the field of play. Some are fired after the three-year mark, others get a little longer. Knowing this, Jones was announced in 2012 very likely with three years to post a turnaround; a feat he accomplished based on where the program was at the end of 2012. However, we now know, Josh Dobbs was mainly responsible for keeping the program “afloat” and the driving force behind many wins that could have/should have been losses. But in 2012, there was a faction of boosters that wanted Gruden to the Hill. I’d tend to believe they even went as far to set up negotiations between him and Dave Hart. But when negotiations fell through, a fact we now know took place, Hart moved on and Gruden stated “the timing wasn’t right” in 2012 for him to take over the Vols.

After several other candidates turned us down, Hart hires Jones who had a semi-impressive resume from Cincy, but wasn’t a “big name, splash hire” in the eyes of many Vol fans. But, we gave him his three years to turn the program around from the Dooley years. And were generally impressed until around November 2016 with his performance. However, a faction of the boosters still desired Gruden as they knew what the name would bring as well as the style of play he could show on the field. My belief and theory are this faction of boosters started planning on a three-year turnaround on Jones not long after the hire and started in motion the events which would land Gruden in 2015 if a new coaching search would come into play.

However, they underestimated the Dobbs factor on the field of play as he single-handedly pulled the team with him, clutching victory from defeat on several occasions. They also saw Dave Hart as a roadblock since he continued to give raises to Jones and staff and made a “no splash” hire in Rick Barnes. While Barnes is capable, he was not a “big name” hire for the UT program. Additionally, Jimmy Cheek is seen as a possible roadblock since his primary focus is on academics and athletics is seen as nothing more than a money generating device for that arena. Plans were put on hold in 2015 until the “ducks” could be put in line and roadblocks removed with a clear path to Gruden. Some of the donors were not necessarily on board in the beginning, but came into play in 2016 or 2017 after football season started.

Along the way, both Dave Hart and Jimmy Cheek announced their retirement going into the 2017 year. Two major obstacles removed on the path to a coaching change. Additionally, Josh Dobbs graduated from the University and was drafted by the NFL. Furthermore, Peyton Manning got involved at some level with the booster/donor program after his retirement from the NFL and helped bring a “celebrity” member that the donors both respected and listened to. Also, new Athletic Director John Currie brings on Phil Fulmer as “special advisor” in the AD, which also is a name many respected and could help with fundraising.

John Currie is a key player and was picked over the obvious choices of Phil Fulmer or David Blackburn out of UTC. He is, as one of my contacts stated, one of the “new breed that talks a great game and gets money to the program.” Additionally, Currie brings on Reid Sigmon as his assistant, a man believed to be the “mover and shaker” inside the AD. Anyone involved in any level of collegiate athletics knows there is the AD and there is the man or woman behind the scenes making things happen. It is my belief Sigmon is one of the driving forces in the process we are seeing unfold and negotiations process.

Now, the key years here are 2015 and 2017. In 2015, it appeared in early October we were heading for a coaching change and the booster faction that wanted Gruden started getting their ducks in a row. MIT_Beaver registered in anticipation of pushing public/online opinion towards a Gruden hire as well as a controlled information source from that inner circle of boosters. However, Hart and Cheek are still in play and any hire must go through them. But now this faction can see the Saban and Harbaugh models from Alabama and Michigan and see how cash can roll into a program based on a name alone. Jones did help bring the program out of the red, but they knew it would only take one bad season for that river to get dammed (no Beaver puns here) and public support for the program to wane. Additionally, the Vols perform better than expected on the field of play after that 2-3 start and end up winning out save Alabama which they took down to the wire. Booster plans are shelved until conditions are more favorable and additional factors are considered to help grease the skids to facilitate a coaching change.

2016, by and large, was not a season for the Vols to undergo a coaching change due to the 9-4 record and the Hart/Cheek team still being in play. Now, I’m not going to go all conspiracy theory that says Hart and Cheek were forced out, but I’m not convinced it isn’t a possibility. There generally was no reason for Hart to move on since he wasn’t really “old” enough to retire completely, but had stepped on major toes within the AD and booster realm. But, since he kept throwing raises and extensions at Jones, I feel some decided he would never go along with a coaching change. Cheek, on the other hand, would decidedly be a roadblock. However, an infusion of capital into his Academic side of the house could help sway his opinion. Hence, the venture capital idea starts as a method of bringing him either into the “hire Gruden” side or neutral at best. Another “ducks in a row” deal that helps bring a new coach in while the Academics side is happy. However, Cheek resigns and returns to the academic side and Davenport is announced as new chancellor. She seems indifferent for the most part to athletics, but the VC idea will likely push her into the “hire Gruden” camp.

Key factor here. Venture Capitals do not just start up overnight. They take time to get started, grow and become beneficial to those on the back end. This was not started as soon as the football season began this year. My theory is it was planned out a long time in advance of an anticipated firing/hiring of the new coach at UT.

Continued in next post

 

[Grand Vol]

Part 3 of 4

Fast forward to 2017 and the writing is on the wall Jones will not return. The football program is a complete disaster and the time is right to move on a coaching hire. Beaver is released early on to start to form public opinion and generate murmurs of “Gruden to the Hill” early in the process. Boosters that were not on board originally, Atlanta for example, were brought and “read” into the process as it went forward. This is why I believe Atlanta, early on at least, made the definitive statement Gruden wasn’t even on the radar. Misdirection maybe? Or just he wasn’t fully aware of how far the faction pushing for Gruden had already gone. I may be wrong, but this was the first time he had openly commented on a coaching search as I don’t recall him saying anything in 2012. I can be corrected if I’m wrong.

Anyway, Gruden is quietly approached through back channels to gauge interest. Possibly Manning since they have a good rapport with each other? Regardless, someone made a trip to Tampa and/or met with Gruden to discuss the possibility. Conditions are seen as favorable and it proceeds to the “let’s talk details” level of informal negotiating since Jones is still head coach. Eventually, ducks are in a row, boosters mostly are on board and Gruden informally accepts the concept he could be wearing Tennessee Orange in 2018. Currie is presented a plan and understands the power shift currently undergoing in the booster realm and furthermore, has stadium renovations on the mind. He knows the clear path to getting that capital is going along with the plan and getting his own “ducks” in a row within the AD, cutting off leaks and allowing Jones to continue while events unfolded behind the scenes.

Enter the BOT meeting and Currie not only announces the plans for renovations are being funded, but also decreased to two phases instead of three and funds increased on the first phase. It’s a curious move since support for the program is waning, however, being the skids were greased in advance, boosters are on board as I believe they knew a big change was on the horizon and everyone would be happy with the outcome. The Saban model if you would. You build it and they will come. Now, I do believe not all the boosters were on board, no specific names, but were brought into the fold via different means and things that would make them happy with allowing Currie to proceed with a Gruden hire or at least serious negotiations. While the AD is on lockdown with information, small leaks come out of the booster realm and other third-party members of the process. Rumors and gossip mainly, but enough smoke to know there was something serious going on behind the scenes.

Now, Beaver made some curious statements early in the process that were very anti-Currie in nature and how “he’ll get the credit for other’s work.” I thought it strange as any AD tends to get the credit for a major hire, but it appeared he wanted the credit to be public that his faction of boosters were the ones majorly responsible for the implementation of the hiring of Gruden. Since that time, it’s not really resurfaced, but I thought it odd he would push that agenda. However, regardless of the credit given or taken away, most people realize at this point in time, no major hire would happen without the boosters, Academics and Athletics being united in the hire. Someone has to fund it (boosters), Academics has to approve it (with a healthy VC to push that side of things) and Athletics will reap the benefits (stadium renovations and the capital a name line Gruden will draw).

We know the rest of the timeline as it’s unfolding in front of us and I believe we will have an announcement next week. I believe Gruden signed and is about to cause an unholy uproar in both the SEC and college football as a whole. He’s beloved by many and will be seen as the “splash” hire we’ve waited so long for.

Now, how does this draw into a two year process? Simple. Boosters were preparing to move in 2015, however, a repeat of 2012 was a distinct possibility since many conditions hadn’t changed. But, since the team did better in the 2015 and 2016 season, it gave them the time to plan everything out and tie up loose ends in order to avoid the same outcome. Hence, getting a VC on board, elimination or mitigation of the Hart and Cheek portions, getting boosters in line, getting Peyton on board and an AD that would be supportive of the moves being made. Some conditions helped tip the scales, Peyton getting involved for example, but these guys “don’t miss.” Smallest details were planned out and everything would be in Gruden’s court when the offer was made. As the old quote goes “make him a deal he can’t refuse.” However, there was going to be minutia that had to be ironed out and what language Gruden’s agent wanted in the contract. But, by and large, the contract would be signed and we started hearing rumors of him reaching out to potential staff. I’m surprised that hasn’t gotten more traction in the media, but when you have the likes of the K-town media bumbling around in the dark…

Finished in next post.

 

[Grand Vol]

Part 4 of 4

SUMMARY

It hit me the other day we were seeing something that was meant for two years ago. However, conditions weren’t right for the change at the time and the Gruden faction of the boosters used the next two years wisely to iron out every detail and get everyone on board. I believe the plan was there two years ago, but only had a slim chance of succeeding much like 2012. Fast forward to now and public support for a Gruden hire has never been higher and even the other coaching search candidates would be seen as lacking when he announces his staff. Mullen could never bring together a group of former Vols into the fold that would generate such interest in the fan base. Hence, why Gruden is and was the only option ever considered by that faction of boosters. They made sure everything was in order, all parties would be happy and pushed the entire package in front of Currie early in the process and politely asked him to go to work to make it happen.

Now, why is Josh Dobbs a major factor in all this? It’s very simple. Nobody could foresee the impact that young man had on the leadership position he was thrust into during the 2013 season. He, in my honest opinion, single-handedly kept Jones in a job through the 2015 and 2016 seasons. He wasn’t an extremely high ranked recruit, so nobody could have predicted the impact he would have on the field until after Freshman year. During the 2014 campaign, we started to see how big a factor he truly was in the offense, keeping drives alive through his pure talent and pulling the team forward with him. He really shined in 2015 and 2016 and delayed the inevitable firing of Jones in my opinion. Else, Jones would have been a three seasons and out coach at UT and we would have been searching for a new coach then.

And how does Bubba factor into this? Haven’t the first clue. He could be anyone from Currie himself to Gruden to a time traveling figure sent here to keep us from the brink. I personally think he’s a deep insider with information that is only meant for the select few that shared it in riddles and cryptic messages. As to why? Who knows. Be thankful we have him.

These are my own meandering thoughts and I am only connecting the dots I’ve seen myself. I have not talked to anyone specifically about this, but rather worked backwards from the (inevitable) outcome of Gruden being coach to the start of the process. Basically asked myself “how would I do it” and saw many facts supported the outcome.

 

[kiddiedoc]

Who has the skybox pic? Turkey is cooking and I'm bored.

 

[VolForLife83]

Hmmm....

Yes, i could see a lawyer bringing up Gruden not winning a SB with his guys. WWWWTTTTFFF

 

[covert29]

Just getting in after driving from South Carolina back to God’s country in East Tennessee (Morristown specifically). It feels good to be home, if only for a day or two. I hope everyone has a happy thanksgiving and that Gruden comes...SOON! Go Vols!

 

[VFLBerg]

Hmmm....

Don't buy this at all.

 

[TheSpartan]

If Casey Clausen is our next coach I want credit. He currently coaches a top 50 high school team in California. If you ask me, it looks like him.

 

[jasonvol18]

If Gruden wasn’t signed he and or the Admin. Would have said as much after butch was fired so we wouldn’t have such a blow up from the fan base and “ insert coaches name here “ wouldn’t have such a big name to live up to before he was announced . See how that works ?

Couldn't be more wrong

 

[YankeeVol]

Grand, is there a cliff notes version?

TIA

 

[Doyle Hargraves]

Hmmm....

Gruden wants $1 more than Saban and Tennessee is fine with paying him that.
Tennessee brings in hot shot lawyers in an attempt to get Gruden's asking price lowered.

That makes sense...

 

[kiddiedoc]

If Casey Clausen is our next coach I want credit. He currently coaches a top 50 high school team in California. If you ask me, it looks like him.

All the internet cred will belong to you.

 

[ericberry4heisman]

Hmmm....

Lol there is no way anyone actually believes this.

 

[Sara Clark]

If I remember correctly, when Gruden was interviewed on Mike and Mike. He said he didn’t have a contract with ESPN. Does anybody remember that or am I wrong?

Open ended contract

 

[Orange_Vol1321]

If Casey Clausen is our next coach I want credit. He currently coaches a top 50 high school team in California. If you ask me, it looks like him.

Lol

 

[jasonvol18]

Very connected Knoxville media member has been informing people that Jon Gruden is indeed the subject in both of the pictures floating around.

I'm behind...what pictures?

 

[UTVolinExile]

Not going to quote, but impressive effort there, GV. Definitely gets a slowclap!

👏 👏 👏 👏

 

[UTVolinExile]

Grand, is there a cliff notes version?

TIA

Cliff notes version: Gruden to the hill has been in the works since 2012.

 

[NorCalVol67]

Hyams reports that Hawaii is now the 50th state

But he is not yet ready to confirm Alaska is the 49th state.