For perspective, Johnny Majors
Tennessee Volunteers (Southeastern Conference) (1977–1992)
1977 Tennessee 4–7 (1–5 8th)
1978 Tennessee 5–5–1 (3–3 T–4th)
1979 Tennessee 7–5 (3–3 T–5th)
L Astro-Bluebonnet
1980 Tennessee 5–6 (3–3 6th)
1981 Tennessee 8–4 (3–3 T–4th)
W Garden State
1982 Tennessee 6–5–1 (3–2–1 5th)
L Peach
1983 Tennessee 9–3 (4–2 T–3rd)
W Citrus
1984 Tennessee 7–4–1 (3–3 T–5th)
L Sun
1985 Tennessee 9–1–2 (5–1 1st)
W Sugar
1986 Tennessee 7–5 (3–3 6th)
W Liberty
1987 Tennessee 10–2–1 (4–1–1 3rd)
W Peach
1988 Tennessee 5–6 (3–4 T–6th)
1989 Tennessee 11–1 (6–1 T–1st)
W Cotton
1990 Tennessee 9–2–2 (5–1–1 1st)
W Sugar
1991 Tennessee 9–3 (5–2 3rd)
L Fiesta
Philip Fulmer
1993 Tennessee 10–2 (7–1 2nd (Eastern))
L Florida Citrus
1994 Tennessee 8–4 (5–3 2nd (Eastern))
W Gator
1995 Tennessee 11–1 (7–1 2nd (Eastern))
W Florida Citrus
1996 Tennessee 10–2 (7–1 2nd (Eastern))
W Florida Citrus
1997 Tennessee 11–2 (7–1 1st (Eastern))
L Orange
1998 Tennessee 13–0 (8–0 1st (Eastern))
W Fiesta
1999 Tennessee 9–3 (6–2 2nd (Eastern))
L Fiesta
2000 Tennessee 8–4 (5–3 2nd (Eastern))
L Cotton
2001 Tennessee11–2 (7–1 1st (Eastern) )
W Florida Citrus
2002 Tennessee 8–5 (5–3 3rd (Eastern))
L Peach
2003 Tennessee 10–3 (6–2 T–1st (Eastern))
L Peach
2004 Tennessee 10–3 (7–1 1st (Eastern))
W Cotton
2005 Tennessee 5–6 (3–5 4th (Eastern))
2006 Tennessee 9–4 (5–32nd (Eastern))
L Outback
2007 Tennessee 10–4 (6–2 T–1st (Eastern))
W Outback
2008 Tennessee 5–7 (3–5 5th (Eastern))
Though Bill Battle had a winning record during his brief tenure, it was argued that his recruiting left Majors "in a hole." Still, Majors did not reach 8 wins in an 11-game season until his 5th year at the helm. Phil inherited a "stocked cupboard." Arguably, his coaching and hires led to a golden age of Volunteers football. He did not stumble until his 13th year.
Perspective: In our history, we have a seasoned head coach arguably "under performing" his first four years, and a first-time head coach catching fire with a loaded roster.
Temper your expectations for the initial years of CJP's tenure. His inheritance includes 1 year of laughable Lane, 3 years of Double-D, and 5 years of Lyle, who could recruit but arguably couldn't coach a game or run a program. Pruitt has a 6-year contract. The team will be 100% his recruits coached by his staff ~year 4. That's an appropriate amount of time to make an informed assessment (Unless there are major violations or scandals during the first 4 years of his tenure).
:two cents:
