Putting a lost season in perspective.

[dimera23]

There is no way to characterize 2016 than as a failure. Our boys had repeated opportunities to accomplish real goals. We failed to achieve most all of them. We let a legitimate but long National Championship shot slip through our hands. We dropped a near certain SEC East title. We blew a chance to play in a major bowl game.

2016 will always be remembered as a season that could have been.

I'm as frustrated and disappointed as any other Volunteer. I'm not posting to try to take those feelings away from anyone. They're real feelings. They're legitimate feelings for anyone who loves Tennessee football. They're going to sit for awhile and they're going to hurt a little longer.

With that said, I believe we need to give our boys and our coaches a break. This is the first time in Butch Jones' four years at Tennessee that they've genuinely given us reason to be disappointed. This is the first time they didn't meet and exceed reasonable expectations.

In 2013, Coach Jones inherited a mattress fire that Coach Dooley left burning for years. He put it out, brought us to a 5-7 record with a win over a ranked SEC team. He finished with a hell of a recruiting class.

In 2014, coach took us to 7 wins including our first bowl win in a long time. He finished with another great recruiting class.

In 2015, we got our hopes up a bit too high, but deep down we knew we weren't really playing for the SEC title, let alone a National crown. Coach Jones led our boys to 9 wins including victories over SC, GA, MO and a bowl win over a ranked Northwestern squad. Sure, we dropped some tough games that year but we really weren't supposed to be in those games to begin with.

In 2016, we fell down. Bad injuries, bad attitudes, bad play calls, bad luck... 2016 just went bad. But even our most disappointing season under Coach Jones will finish with a bowl appearance, more wins and leave us in a better place than either of the previous two coaching regimes.

I think we need to sit down, lick our wounds, vent our frustration and then get up and keep climbing that wall. We'll get to the top, yes, Brick by Brick.

 

[fade route]

2-2 against Vandy and 0-for against Muschamp is all the perspective I need. Butch is not the guy.

 

[Hunter10139]

There is no way to characterize 2016 than as a failure. Our boys had repeated opportunities to accomplish real goals. We failed to achieve most all of them. We let a legitimate but long National Championship shot slip through our hands. We dropped a near certain SEC East title. We blew a chance to play in a major bowl game.

2016 will always be remembered as a season that could have been.

I'm as frustrated and disappointed as any other Volunteer. I'm not posting to try to take those feelings away from anyone. They're real feelings. They're legitimate feelings for anyone who loves Tennessee football. They're going to sit for awhile and they're going to hurt a little longer.

With that said, I believe we need to give our boys and our coaches a break. This is the first time in Butch Jones' four years at Tennessee that they've genuinely given us reason to be disappointed. This is the first time they didn't meet and exceed reasonable expectations.

In 2013, Coach Jones inherited a mattress fire that Coach Dooley left burning for years. He put it out, brought us to a 5-7 record with a win over a ranked SEC team. He finished with a hell of a recruiting class.

In 2014, coach took us to 7 wins including our first bowl win in a long time. He finished with another great recruiting class.

In 2015, we got our hopes up a bit too high, but deep down we knew we weren't really playing for the SEC title, let alone a National crown. Coach Jones led our boys to 9 wins including victories over SC, GA, MO and a bowl win over a ranked Northwestern squad. Sure, we dropped some tough games that year but we really weren't supposed to be in those games to begin with.

In 2016, we fell down. Bad injuries, bad attitudes, bad play calls, bad luck... 2016 just went bad. But even our most disappointing season under Coach Jones will finish with a bowl appearance, more wins and leave us in a better place than either of the previous two coaching regimes.

I think we need to sit down, lick our wounds, vent our frustration and then get up and keep climbing that wall. We'll get to the top, yes, Brick by Brick.

Lol either you're a troll trying to elicit a response, or you're delusional. Butch will never have us on top. He simply can't coach or manage the program. It's time for him to go.

 

[usagary]

Five stages of grief... where are you?
1. Denial
2. Anger -- I am here
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

 

[CardsNVols]

Lyle is not the guy, but he'll be here next season. Don't need a lame duck AD calling anymore shots. Lyle will ride the mediocrity train for 1 more year to a 7-5 or 6-6 finish, then it's time to bring out the mop and clean house with a competent AD.

 

[Catbone]

Five stages of grief... where are you?
1. Denial
2. Anger -- I am here
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

You'll never guess.

 

[Volinmem]

There is no way to characterize 2016 than as a failure. Our boys had repeated opportunities to accomplish real goals. We failed to achieve most all of them. We let a legitimate but long National Championship shot slip through our hands. We dropped a near certain SEC East title. We blew a chance to play in a major bowl game.

2016 will always be remembered as a season that could have been.

I'm as frustrated and disappointed as any other Volunteer. I'm not posting to try to take those feelings away from anyone. They're real feelings. They're legitimate feelings for anyone who loves Tennessee football. They're going to sit for awhile and they're going to hurt a little longer.

With that said, I believe we need to give our boys and our coaches a break. This is the first time in Butch Jones' four years at Tennessee that they've genuinely given us reason to be disappointed. This is the first time they didn't meet and exceed reasonable expectations.

In 2013, Coach Jones inherited a mattress fire that Coach Dooley left burning for years. He put it out, brought us to a 5-7 record with a win over a ranked SEC team. He finished with a hell of a recruiting class.

In 2014, coach took us to 7 wins including our first bowl win in a long time. He finished with another great recruiting class.

In 2015, we got our hopes up a bit too high, but deep down we knew we weren't really playing for the SEC title, let alone a National crown. Coach Jones led our boys to 9 wins including victories over SC, GA, MO and a bowl win over a ranked Northwestern squad. Sure, we dropped some tough games that year but we really weren't supposed to be in those games to begin with.

In 2016, we fell down. Bad injuries, bad attitudes, bad play calls, bad luck... 2016 just went bad. But even our most disappointing season under Coach Jones will finish with a bowl appearance, more wins and leave us in a better place than either of the previous two coaching regimes.

I think we need to sit down, lick our wounds, vent our frustration and then get up and keep climbing that wall. We'll get to the top, yes, Brick by Brick.

Butch actualy showed up on VN! Hey coach, OWN IT and gtfo!

 

[golfballs]

It's the reason he won't be fired. We've taken steps forward in each of his first three years, but a step back this year.

Set backs happen, but he'll need to pull a rabbit out of a hat next year to prove he's up for the job

 

[fade route]

It's the reason he won't be fired. We've taken steps forward in each of his first three years, but a step back this year.

Set backs happen, but he'll need to pull a rabbit out of a hat next year to prove he's up for the job

And how confident are you that he can do that? Honest question.

 

[Sudden Impact]

2-2 against Vandy and 0-for against Muschamp is all the perspective I need. Butch is not the guy.

might as well added a loss to USCjr (Muschamp) after a bye week. Piss Poor Preparation to this list.

Every goal within reach of which we controlled our own destiny was a fail event in reality. SEC east, SEC championship Game, Major Bowl, Playoff contender
high probable wins, USCjr and Vanderbilt equals two losses.

 

[JPL]

2016 will always be remembered as a season that could have been.

I'm as frustrated and disappointed as any other Volunteer.

With that said, I believe we need to give our boys and our coaches a break. This is the first time in Butch Jones' four years at Tennessee that they've genuinely given us reason to be disappointed. This is the first time they didn't meet and exceed reasonable expectations.

In 2013, Coach Jones let us down by losing to Vanderbilt & missing a bowl game. I remember during that game starting to question him as a coach but looked the other way since it was his first year.

In 2014, coach took us to 7 wins including our first bowl win in a long time and LET US DOWN by losing to FL at home due to ULTRA CONSERVATIVE in game coaching. He finished with another great recruiting class.

In 2015, we got our hopes up a bit too high, but deep down we knew we weren't really playing for the SEC title, let alone a National crown. Coach Jones led our boys to unnecessary & extraordinarily bad losses to OU and FL due to ULTRA CONSERVATIVE in game coaching & ill advised chart reading. Sure, we dropped some tough games that year but we really weren't supposed to be in those games to begin with. YES, we were supposed to be in those games, this is TENNESSEE!!!

In 2016, we fell down. Bad injuries, bad attitudes, bad play calls, bad luck... 2016 just went bad. But even our most disappointing season under Coach Jones will finish with a bowl appearance, more wins and leave us in a better place than either of the previous two coaching regimes. WINS CAN ONLY EQUAL last years total at this point. Our AD even said 2016 was our year. This is unacceptable. Butch cannot handle the pressure, the more that's on the line the worst he performs as a coach. Beating FL & GA in the same year CANNOT trump LOSING to USCjr and Vandy in the same year when an SECe title is on the line and then a Sugar Bowl berth.

I think we need to sit down, lick our wounds, vent our frustration and then get up and keep climbing that wall. We'll get to the top, yes, Brick by Brick.[/QUOTE] WE WILL NOT GET TO THE TOP under Butch. THIS IS AS HIGH AS WE GO with a good # of those two top 5 recruiting classes gone after this year TN will take a step back next year and that is scary. A head coach in year 4 with the resources he has just went 4-4 in the sec. Let that sink in, 4-4 in sec play with TWO EXTRAORDINARILY BAD LOSSES in the same year. TN is superior talent wise to Vandy and even USCjr but Butch still had his team unprepared, undisciplined and uninspired. Did you see the Vandy players jumping up and down on the sideline most of the game? Meanwhile, TN & the VOL faithful got "Butched" He's simply NOT A GOOD COACH and he is in trouble now. He's lost and will lose a lot of support from this horribly disappointing season. What's Hart to say now, 2017 is our year...

HE NEEDS to go AND THE SOONER THE BETTER!!!

 

[Remy]

Five stages of grief... where are you?
1. Denial
2. Anger -- I am here
3. Bargaining
4. Depression
5. Acceptance

This season has taken me all the way through Kubler-Ross's stages of dying and grief. I am at acceptance. CBJ is no longer an option to be a long term coach at UT. I can also accept the fact we have a lame duck AD and virtually zero leverage for CBJ to leave this year. But next year, we will have a new AD, and 2017 has to be CBJ's last unless he wins the SECCG.

 

[VolNavy01]

Perspective.......yes, let's talk about perspective.

-Overtime win against App St at home
-Thank you Va Tech for your turnovers(I'd hate to play them now)
-Scraping by Ohio, yes Ohio
-Miracle win against Florida, miracle loss at A&M(not sure how we were that close)
-Blown out of Neyland by Bama, not even close to being competitive
-Losing to Muschamp again, this time coaching a terrible SC team.....AFTER A BYE WEEK
-635yds given up to UK(443 on the ground)
-740yds given up to Mizzou(420 on the ground)
-608yds given up to Vandy(416 through the air)

I'm sure there is more, these are just the ones off the top of my head.

 

[JPL]

This season has taken me all the way through Kubler-Ross's stages of dying and grief. I am at acceptance. CBJ is no longer an option to be a long term coach at UT. I can also accept the fact we have a lame duck AD and virtually zero leverage for CBJ to leave this year. But next year, we will have a new AD, and 2017 has to be CBJ's last unless he wins the SECCG.

Anything less than winning the SEC championship next year does not cut it. Not just the East but win the whole damn thing. I sooo wish he were gone and would help him move for free. Nothing is more humiliating and disappointing then getting "Butched" year after year.

 

[volfannbama]

There is no way to characterize 2016 than as a failure. Our boys had repeated opportunities to accomplish real goals. We failed to achieve most all of them. We let a legitimate but long National Championship shot slip through our hands. We dropped a near certain SEC East title. We blew a chance to play in a major bowl game.

2016 will always be remembered as a season that could have been.

I'm as frustrated and disappointed as any other Volunteer. I'm not posting to try to take those feelings away from anyone. They're real feelings. They're legitimate feelings for anyone who loves Tennessee football. They're going to sit for awhile and they're going to hurt a little longer.

With that said, I believe we need to give our boys and our coaches a break. This is the first time in Butch Jones' four years at Tennessee that they've genuinely given us reason to be disappointed. This is the first time they didn't meet and exceed reasonable expectations.

In 2013, Coach Jones inherited a mattress fire that Coach Dooley left burning for years. He put it out, brought us to a 5-7 record with a win over a ranked SEC team. He finished with a hell of a recruiting class.

In 2014, coach took us to 7 wins including our first bowl win in a long time. He finished with another great recruiting class.

In 2015, we got our hopes up a bit too high, but deep down we knew we weren't really playing for the SEC title, let alone a National crown. Coach Jones led our boys to 9 wins including victories over SC, GA, MO and a bowl win over a ranked Northwestern squad. Sure, we dropped some tough games that year but we really weren't supposed to be in those games to begin with.

In 2016, we fell down. Bad injuries, bad attitudes, bad play calls, bad luck... 2016 just went bad. But even our most disappointing season under Coach Jones will finish with a bowl appearance, more wins and leave us in a better place than either of the previous two coaching regimes.

I think we need to sit down, lick our wounds, vent our frustration and then get up and keep climbing that wall. We'll get to the top, yes, Brick by Brick.

Thoughtful post, can you explain repeated loses to teams with less talent, that I might understand better?

 

[Advol]

 

[golfballs]

And how confident are you that he can do that? Honest question.

I'm not...

There have been glimmers over the years but always bungled

 

[usagary]

Perspective.......yes, let's talk about perspective.

-Overtime win against App St at home
-Thank you Va Tech for your turnovers(I'd hate to play them now)
-Scraping by Ohio, yes Ohio
-Miracle win against Florida, miracle loss at A&M(not sure how we were that close)
-Blown out of Neyland by Bama, not even close to being competitive
-Losing to Muschamp again, this time coaching a terrible SC team.....AFTER A BYE WEEK
-635yds given up to UK(443 on the ground)
-740yds given up to Mizzou(420 on the ground)
-608yds given up to Vandy(416 through the air)

I'm sure there is more, these are just the ones off the top of my head.

Florida was not a miracle but the Georgia game was. How about the fact that as our D began to give up MASSIVE yards, Jones didn't adjust.

 

[volfannbama]

Florida was not a miracle but the Georgia game was. How about the fact that as our D began to give up MASSIVE yards, Jones didn't adjust.

UGA should not have come down to a miracle, to be fair.

 

[VolNavy01]

Florida was not a miracle but the Georgia game was. How about the fact that as our D began to give up MASSIVE yards, Jones didn't adjust.

How could I forget that one!?!

 

[Catbone]

UGA should not have come down to a miracle, to be fair.

But it did because our secondary is trash

 

[Bighorn67]

Butch seems to have lost the respect of the team. Some players on our defense stopped trying three games ago. Specifically our DTs and secondary. Once that happens, there is no getting it back.

 

[dimera23]

No one, including me (and I'm something of a Pollyanna), can deny anything negative you guys are saying about this season. 2016 has been a failure by any reasonable measure. We did not meet our expectations this season.

Just don't lose perspective.

In 2012 if you'd have told any of us that we could have back to back eight win seasons and three straight bowl appearances, we'd have danced in the streets. Remember, we were really that bad before Coach Jones took over.

I'm not saying that we accept this as the best we can achieve. I'm not suggesting that we settle for being just good enough. I'm not saying that we lower our future expectations. I'm just saying that we need to appreciate where we are. To do that we need to remember where we came from.

I don't know if coach Jones is the guy who will take us to a championship. He may just be the guy who laid the foundation we built our great team upon. I think he's earned a chance to get back up after being knocked down. If this becomes the new normal. If we continue to fall short of our goals. If we continue to play poorly. Then we absolutely make a change at the top.

 

[JPL]

No one, including me (and I'm something of a Pollyanna), can deny anything negative you guys are saying about this season. 2016 has been a failure by any reasonable measure. We did not meet our expectations this season.

Just don't lose perspective...

I believe them to be sincere and agree with you that we have come a long way.

I just don't think you recover from this as a head coach, it really is that bad. Just look where Vandy has ranked the last 3 years in recruiting vs the VOLS. Even if you ignore the USCjr loss for a moment, the Vandy loss in and of itself is a fire able offense as it's unforgivable because it should not be allowed to happen. Butch simply cannot coach when the stakes are high and doesn't seem to be able to motivate his team when needed most.

Please consider this:

The Sugar Bowl payout is approximately $18 million; most bowls now considering the Vols pay about $2 million.

All things considered last night's loss was the worst and most expensive in Butch Jones career. I can no longer support him in any way. Just will not do it.

Peace to you. Sad, very sad time for VOL football.

 

[QuickSmurf]

No one, including me (and I'm something of a Pollyanna), can deny anything negative you guys are saying about this season. 2016 has been a failure by any reasonable measure. We did not meet our expectations this season.

Just don't lose perspective...

I believe them to be sincere and agree with you that we have come a long way.

I just don't think you recover from this as a head coach, it really is that bad. Just look where Vandy has ranked the last 3 years in recruiting vs the VOLS. Even if you ignore the USCjr loss for a moment, the Vandy loss in and of itself is a fire able offense as it's unforgivable because it should not be allowed to happen. Butch simply cannot coach when the stakes are high and doesn't seem to be able to motivate his team when needed most.

Please consider this:

The Sugar Bowl payout is approximately $18 million; most bowls now considering the Vols pay about $2 million.

All things considered last night's loss was the worst and most expensive in Butch Jones career. I can no longer support him in any way. Just will not do it.

Peace to you. Sad, very sad time for VOL football.

Need Kleenex dear?