Pruitt's post game message for TN fans

[pharmDvol11]

So, I watched the whole interview. And here's my take.

Pruitt doesn't seem to be concerned about winning "now." I think he wants to win now, but I think he believes more in "the process" than he does in getting immediate results by trotting out the most athletic guy who's yet to pay his dues.

I'm gathering that Pruitt believes by forcing the younger guys to wait, or to "earn the right to play," even if they are more talented, it will make for a hungrier and more disciplined ball player when he finally allows those guys to take the field. And, as fans, we'll just have to wait until he gets a roster of at least two-deep in mature talent that performs as a complete unit before we're allowed to see it. Stated otherwise, I think he believes he's building a "Bama" or a "Clemson," not another LSU.

Let me be clear, I'm not defending Pruitt, and if you've read some of my more recent posts you'll see that I've lost a lot of faith in this staff recently (COVID or no COVID). However, if I'm right about my perception, get ready for another season of disappointment.

Lol I’d love to see him explain that in a recruit’s living room.

“You see I’m forcing us to suck now so you’ll want to win later. It’s like heating up the ice cubes- it’s the best of both worlds!”

 

[FirstAndGoal]

I didn't expect anything different from what I saw today.
I guess the Florida loss should be by 17-20 then.

Yep. And despite great recruiting, we are not looking any better in Pruitt's year 3. I have become numb to the emotion I used to have for our games. I enjoy watching Kiffin and Ole Miss more than Tennessee.

 

[Noggin]

I

I suspect it is going to get worse too.

Vandy is the closest thing to a sure win left on the schedule.

Arky, TX A&M, Auburn, and FL all look like up hill battles with this putrid offense.

If someone was a true fan of Pruitt's they would buy him a steak dinner at Ye Olde Steakhouse on Chapman Highway.

 

[vol_smoothie]

Exactly ....and throw in now 5 more years of job security that most people aren't afforded anymore.

There are reports that Pruitt is miserable here and just wants to go somewhere and be a coordinator again.

 

[SGMVols]

There are reports that Pruitt is miserable here and just wants to go somewhere and be a coordinator again.

If these “reports” are from Tony Basilio or Fox Sports Knoxville, they’re BS.

 

[TennesseeFan07]

It sickens me how accurate this is.

So true!

 

[njvols]

Pruitt has message for Tennessee fans after Alabama loss
I think he feels genuine about his words. Hope we have a hell of an off week
Well....since he assures us I feel better now about a 31 point loss.

 

[JoAllan]

Someone wake me up when this program is rebUilT

2 more years.......or so were told.

 

[VolsSportsFan]

It sickens me how accurate this is.

Technically he isn't right, as I would say in 2001 we were "legit" national title contenders since had we won the SECCG we would have played in the Rose Bowl against Miami for the NC. But yeah, basically he is.

 

[Chitlin&theDude]

His 'message' was the same message as that idiot butch's. Who cares. He's a loser, who ALWAYS gets blown out. And unfortunately we're stuck with him

 

[VolFish11]

it just blows my mind how much money he is paid to coach here with the product he puts on the field. Over 4 mill a year and the highest paid state employee

 

[LadyinOrange]

Eh. Its not a shock to hear him say that. The groans are getting louder.

Believe or not but there are some people old enough to know what good football looks like at Tennessee. It gets harder to remember with each passing year, but many have seen it. We dont need it explained, just need it fixed.

No different than last week, what he says after the game and on Monday is irrelevant.
You re not gonna win any games or leverage behind a mic.

Not just good football-GREAT football. Teams that would just as soon kill you as look at you. (And I don't mean kill as in murder-y'all KNOW what I mean,) Neyland was a place other teams feared. A loss was deeply felt by players, fans and coaches alike. Basketball was an afterthought at Wide Receiver U. The big orange dragon has been asleep for too long. It's time to wake it up.

 

[ETV]

There are reports that Pruitt is miserable here and just wants to go somewhere and be a coordinator again.

Whether it's true or not, he's not miserable enough to walk away from the kind of payday that awaits him in the form of a buyout.

 

[m1al]

He really has 3 jobs. Hire and manage a staff, fix the D, and manage the QB position.

He appeared to succeed on the first one only to handcuff them. The D looks worse and for threes straight games has been shredding down the middle. His management of the QB position is terrible. He appeared to do well last year but if they seriously don't have a better option than JG... then what's he been doing for 3 years and why didn't they go after a guy like D'Eriq King?

He has better QBs on the roster, he keeps wasting time on JG and just to damn stubborn/scared to hand over the keys to one of the others. If he doesn't get one of those guys some serious game time he'll be in the same boat next year..

I mean why in the blue f*** was JG still playing late in the third and fourth quarters? It defies all logic...

 

[Chitlin&theDude]

He has better QBs on the roster, he keeps wasting time on JG and just to damn stubborn/scared to hand over the keys to one of the others. If he doesn't get one of those guys some serious game time he'll be in the same boat next year..

I mean why in the blue f*** was JG still playing late in the third and fourth quarters? It defies all logic...

I imagine the staff knows Bailey is the future, but is not close to being ready this year, and playing him this early would led to shell shock. Regardless our problems far exceed JG

 

[m1al]

I imagine the staff knows Bailey is the future, but is not close to being ready this year, and playing him this early would led to shell shock. Regardless our problems far exceed JG

HB isn't the only QB with more talent on the roster. That said, surely HB is tough enough to recover from a bad game and football growing pains.. If not, then he ain't the future.

 

[knoxvol16]

Lol I’d love to see him explain that in a recruit’s living room.

“You see I’m forcing us to suck now so you’ll want to win later. It’s like heating up the ice cubes- it’s the best of both worlds!”

So his logic is to start from scratch every year? This is the perfect year to prepare for the future. It’s always said that the extra practices gained from making a bowl are crucial for player development. Since this season is basically a wash and no bowl game guaranteed. Just try to get a leg up on next year and use it for player development.

Yeah, I don't fully understand it---I can only imagine it's a trust, preparedness, and discipline issue in his eyes.

Maybe I'm trying to hard to make sense out of nothing. I tried to listen objectively to his responses in the press conference and he seemed to indicate he's all about "training" someone up in his program and not about leaning only on talent.

But, I agree with both of you, that's a hard sell on recruiting trail. After all, I think after year one he stated he could sell his program to new recruits on results. I think he needs to sell the fan base on those results, as well.

 

[Chitlin&theDude]

HB isn't the only QB with more talent on the roster. That said, surely HB is tough enough to recover from a bad game and football growing pains.. If not, then he ain't the future.

the last thing I want to do is support the decisions of this staff, but HB hasn't had any snaps. But to your bigger point - in year 3 Pruitt should have the QB situation far better than where it is.

 

[Tnman1]

Here we go again. 5 year plan. I see it, clear as day.

 

[tnvols72]

Has Ansley been on quarantine since last year?

 

[BIGAL27]

View attachment 317664

 

[BIGAL27]

Has Ansley been on quarantine since last year?

 

[Devo182]

His morphing into Butch Jones isn't the strangest part of 2020, but it's close.

I lol'd

 

[Devo182]

Only lost by 22 at Bama last year. Game was going alright until JG happened.

Bc we had them at 28 before then. Imagine if we held them to 28 this year too...28-17 late. Or 2015 when they only had 12 pts late.

 

[Volfaninfl2]

Well....let's unpack that. Why are guys who succeeded everywhere else not successful here?

1. Facilities? Top 10 facilities in the country. That is not an issue
2. Environment? SEC environment, large stadium, passionate fan base. Not an issue either
3. Talent? Given, first two years he had limited talent and a team that had to change their attitudes. He now has 3 recruiting classes in, and is on his 3rd year of changing the locker room and developing players. Not done either, and there was no talent gap with UK that was detrimental to us. Talent is there.
4. Head coach? Maybe that is it. Stubborn? Won't listen to his staff? Forces his decisions? Hard to work with? I do not know, but this is a variable that could be causing this
5. AD? Not an issue for failure. He has all the support he needs to be successful in the athletic department.

So, if it is not issues within the coaching staff and possibly with Pruitt and how he handles his staff, what other causes do you have?

If not for buyout possibilities, all Pruitt’s staff might be looking for a job elsewhere.