Here's the question you have to ask yourself. In what facet did the young men on the field really improve yesterday? Answer: they didn't quit. Bray still threw picks, he fumbled, passes were still dropped, defense was still gashed. They didn't quit and they stayed right in the game because we FINALLY capitalized on some miscues by the OTHER team (which in the past Tennessee has always given the gimme's right back by not capitalizing on mistakes).
The mark of a good coaching staff and a good team of football players is week in week out fundamental improvement. I don't see that in this team. Not by leaps and bounds anyways. Now now, hear me out. This football team is very talented. And sure they're light in the depth department. But the veterans of this team still consistently make freshman year mistakes. Why? Fundamentals. These young men with such raw talent are not being managed and utilized to their full potential. Is it ALL on CDD and Co.? Well no, obviously not. But as the Executive branch of this team, right or wrong, all fingers point at you.
Do you guys remember 2009 when Kiffin took over and we actually COMPETED, and I witnessed each week our players improve. BUILD ON LAST WEEK, not just build a little here, colossally fail here, etc. Don't get me wrong, I hate Kiffin, but the man can coach. Anyone who watched that season knows that. Case and point - go watch the UT-UCLA game from that year, when Kiffin FIRST got to see what Crompton could do under pressure, then watch how the coaching ADJUSTS and Crompton is utilized differently. Watch the Georgia game from that year, the South Carolina game. Hell the Bama game, where we almost beat the #2 team in the nation (would have if our kicking game didn't blow back then, still does now imagine that).
The main point I'm trying to make (and story to steal your thread here man, but this plays right on what you're trying to say) is hopefully point out the difference between a coach that adjusts and teaches versus what appears to be a lack of sound individual coaching and rather trial by fire learning (which doesn't lead to consistent improvement).