Quality Class & OC Situation

[TnAngler]

It seems like CJP and his staff have put together a solid class however, does it matter if we settle for an OC? Not saying that we will not make a great hire at OC, just hoping the talent we picked up doesn’t go uncoached. I reflect back on the talent Dooley had and the inability to get them trained up. We all remember he Jones debacle all too well. Thoughts?

 

[VolFanNC09]

Need a solid OC. Fulmer has to advise him here. The clawfence put a nail in his coffin. When Fulmer had Cutcliff we were always in the SEC championship conversation.

 

[Paukotajs]

No matter who we hire, people on here will say we settled. I personally don't believe we are going to get a bad OC. I think Pruitt will do his best to get the most qualified person that wants to come be a coach at UT.

To answer your question though - Let's say we hire a horrible OC. Does it matter? Of course it matters, you need a great mind to put together plans of attack against our opponents defenses. All the greatest athletes don't mean anything if the opposing team has athletes that are just as good. Half the SEC is in the top 20 in recruiting this year. They all pretty much have good players.

 

[TennesseeTarheel]

I'm trying to rein in my expectations for next year. They were obviously wildly out of hand for last season. If I can keep my expectations in check, then that will be a successful season for me. But, I can trace most of my football acumen back to videos like this one:

 

[Vol524]

It seems like CJP and his staff have put together a solid class however, does it matter if we settle for an OC? Not saying that we will not make a great hire at OC, just hoping the talent we picked up doesn’t go uncoached. I reflect back on the talent Dooley had and the inability to get them trained up. We all remember he Jones debacle all too well. Thoughts?

This staff is much better than the one Dooley had.

 

[volfannbama]

OCs are not overrated....


On a serious note, id love to get the opinions from those that agreed with Pruitt using lack of talent as an excuse for poor performance last season. This class is currently ranking close to or worst than 3 of the last four. 2018 being the exception. It also ranks in the bottom tier of the sec. So how them to we come to the conclusion that things will improve?

 

[nash101]

I think he did the right thing by addressing the obvious weakness on the OL. One 5-star sighed and another possible. A couple 4-stars who could contribute right away. Add in a couple others who could grow and be develop to help out in the future. If Friend and company can develop this crop, our line will be much improved next year.

As far as OC, we need someone good. We don’t need a repeat of The Clawfense and we don’t need to promote an untested TE coach (or equivalent) We need someone who can take what we have and move the ball/ score points. (Not stubbornly sticking to a pre existing plan or scheme). Build for the future. I’ll support whoever Pruitt hires but an underwhelming hire will destroy good Will and put him on the hot seat. So get it right and build a winning program so he can stay many years

 

[goooooovols]

It seems like CJP and his staff have put together a solid class however, does it matter if we settle for an OC? Not saying that we will not make a great hire at OC, just hoping the talent we picked up doesn’t go uncoached. I reflect back on the talent Dooley had and the inability to get them trained up. We all remember he Jones debacle all too well. Thoughts?

Offense was never the problem with Dooley.

 

[cardvolfan]

OCs are not overrated....


On a serious note, id love to get the opinions from those that agreed with Pruitt using lack of talent as an excuse for poor performance last season. This class is currently ranking close to or worst than 3 of the last four. 2018 being the exception. It also ranks in the bottom tier of the sec. So how them to we come to the conclusion that things will improve?

We're probably falling further behind with this class. We lost more ground on the better programs in our league. Your points are very valid, and I hate to say it, but it is disappointing to me.

 

[lifeisdeep]

OCs are not overrated....


On a serious note, id love to get the opinions from those that agreed with Pruitt using lack of talent as an excuse for poor performance last season. This class is currently ranking close to or worst than 3 of the last four. 2018 being the exception. It also ranks in the bottom tier of the sec. So how them to we come to the conclusion that things will improve?

Too much logic. All of the three-stars that comprise the majority of our current class are mythical, mysterious three-stars that are exponentially better than all the three-stars signed by previous staffs that got us to where we are now. They'll be developed brilliantly and improve dramatically before our eyes with each game, like we saw this year.

 

[Devo182]

OCs are not overrated....


On a serious note, id love to get the opinions from those that agreed with Pruitt using lack of talent as an excuse for poor performance last season. This class is currently ranking close to or worst than 3 of the last four. 2018 being the exception. It also ranks in the bottom tier of the sec. So how them to we come to the conclusion that things will improve?

False. 2018 and 2017 average player ranking was significantly worse (~87.5 by 247 composite). 2014-2016 likely will be lower as well. This class's average player rating projects to be the highest since pre-Dooley.

If you are just looking at class ranking, this one projects to finish 9th-13th by those that follow closely. Remember, Butch's best classes had 30+ signees, but you can't do that anymore.

And it's not in any bottom tier of anything.

 

[Devo182]

Offense was never the problem with Dooley.

It was 2 out of 3 years. Only 2012 had a great offense. 2011 was atrocious. 2010 was decent.

But hard to say what side of the ball was worse when you have 3 straight losing seasons.

 

[cardvolfan]

Too much logic. All of the three-stars that comprise the majority of our current class are mythical, mysterious three-stars that are exponentially better than all the three-stars signed by previous staffs that got us to where we are now. They'll be developed brilliantly and improve dramatically before our eyes with each game, like we saw this year.

EXACTLY! We fall for this with every coaching change!

 

[Behr]

OCs are not overrated....


On a serious note, id love to get the opinions from those that agreed with Pruitt using lack of talent as an excuse for poor performance last season. This class is currently ranking close to or worst than 3 of the last four. 2018 being the exception. It also ranks in the bottom tier of the sec. So how them to we come to the conclusion that things will improve?

I think its just like many other things around here. If you did a poll and the question was "what is your definition of Talent", and gave 5 different choices, you would have votes on all 5 and two different ones would be neck and neck.

Do you consider a 5 star that gives the effort of and plays like a walk on "talent"?

I guarantee some don't.

 

[Devo182]

We're probably falling further behind with this class. We lost more ground on the better programs in our league. Your points are very valid, and I hate to say it, but it is disappointing to me.

Imo only true to uga and a&m. Only care about 1 of those. Others (Aub, LSU, Bama) are recruiting on par for usual.

 

[butchna]

OCs are not overrated....


On a serious note, id love to get the opinions from those that agreed with Pruitt using lack of talent as an excuse for poor performance last season. This class is currently ranking close to or worst than 3 of the last four. 2018 being the exception. It also ranks in the bottom tier of the sec. So how them to we come to the conclusion that things will improve?

We’re currently 13th and if we only add Crouch and Wright that’s better. What were we last year again?

 

[GTBATV]

OCs are not overrated....


On a serious note, id love to get the opinions from those that agreed with Pruitt using lack of talent as an excuse for poor performance last season. This class is currently ranking close to or worst than 3 of the last four. 2018 being the exception. It also ranks in the bottom tier of the sec. So how them to we come to the conclusion that things will improve?

A solid question. I don't use lack of talent as a reason for the failings of last season as much as the lack of development and carousel of coaches and coordinators for the past several years. I think we have had talent. As far as ranking this year's class compared to others. 2015 was a great recruiting class, but several before then and all after have been in the 15 overall range and middle of the road in the conference. My hope is that we have some stability and good coaching over the next several seasons and that will improve our program.

 

[tennrich1]

EXACTLY! We fall for this with every coaching change!

Maybe this is a great place to insert this IDK...but on Saturday I attended the Vol game in Memphis with a close friend who is one of the largest donors at UT and has been for 40 years. He has connections EVERYWHERE but is a wonderful man. He told me one of the Alabama coaches told him THERE IS NO OTHER PERSON IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY THAT CAN EVALUATE TALENT LIKE JEREMY PRUITT. He said its uncanny.....So until CJP has his players in place and fails with them I'm going with CJP instead of all of us (me included) talentless evaluators….TIFWIW...

 

[butchna]

EXACTLY! We fall for this with every coaching change!

These are better coaches and teachers. They know what their kind of players look like and they’re going after the top ranked first and descending scale that still matches their model afterwards.

 

[cardvolfan]

Maybe this is a great place to insert this IDK...but on Saturday I attended the Vol game in Memphis with a close friend who is one of the largest donors at UT and has been for 40 years. He has connections EVERYWHERE but is a wonderful man. He told me one of the Alabama coaches told him THERE IS NO OTHER PERSON IN COLLEGE FOOTBALL TODAY THAT CAN EVALUATE TALENT LIKE JEREMY PRUITT. He said its uncanny.....So until CJP has his players in place and fails with them I'm going with CJP instead of all of us (me included) talentless evaluators….TIFWIW...

Glad you shared that info. Gives me a little hope that THIS TIME the ship will be repaired and the destination will be NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP games!

 

[goooooovols]

OCs are not overrated....


On a serious note, id love to get the opinions from those that agreed with Pruitt using lack of talent as an excuse for poor performance last season. This class is currently ranking close to or worst than 3 of the last four. 2018 being the exception. It also ranks in the bottom tier of the sec. So how them to we come to the conclusion that things will improve?

This guy gets it^

 

[mitzustu]

OCs are not overrated....


On a serious note, id love to get the opinions from those that agreed with Pruitt using lack of talent as an excuse for poor performance last season. This class is currently ranking close to or worst than 3 of the last four. 2018 being the exception. It also ranks in the bottom tier of the sec. So how them to we come to the conclusion that things will improve?

This is flat silliness. We are ranked 6th in the SEC according to 247 and 2nd in the east. Coming off a 5-7 year. What do you want? You’re being plainly unrealistic.

 

[cardvolfan]

These are better coaches and teachers. They know what their kind of players look like and they’re going after the top ranked first and descending scale that still matches their model afterwards.

Not doubting you, but what criteria do you base this "better" factor on?

 

[Pride85]

OCs are not overrated....


On a serious note, id love to get the opinions from those that agreed with Pruitt using lack of talent as an excuse for poor performance last season. This class is currently ranking close to or worst than 3 of the last four. 2018 being the exception. It also ranks in the bottom tier of the sec. So how them to we come to the conclusion that things will improve?

Another year in the program, another year of S&C with the SAME coach. First time in 6 years for that one. This year he could only work with what he had. Now he has a full set for this year and a chunk from last year that are his.

 

[cardvolfan]

This is flat silliness. We are ranked 6th in the SEC according to 247 and 2nd in the east. Coming off a 5-7 year. What do you want? You’re being plainly unrealistic.

I want something better than a low-tier program that is based on more than words. What do YOU want?