Recruiting Football Talk VIII

[TN-POSSUM]

Johnny was great but from everything I’ve ever read from people who were there and in the know, he had some real serious issues, alienated the administration, nearly caused a mass walkout at halftime of the 1992 LSU game…he got the Vols back to respectability but I don’t buy that Fulmer was uniquely villainous in that whole thing.

Fulmer wasn't the main villian, I believe that was AD Doug Dickey. I also think some of the big $$$ boosters had their say in the whole thing, too.

Majors had some known off field issues (drinking) and an attitude you get with a country boy from Lynchburg TN. UT could have handled it differently and let Majors go out with a little more dignity.

 

[TN-POSSUM]

To be clear, I've liked the -HC Johnny Majors- the most in my lifetime of following the VOLS and Im aware he had some real character flaws. When I was young, Johnny Majors and John Ward got me hooked on TENNESSEE Football, so I'll always think of them as 2 of my childhood heroes.




*I think Josh Heupel has been the highest character head football coach we've had. I genuinely think he's a good man and I'm proud to have him at UT

 

[jave36]

Not sure about this one. We tried adidas once. Didnt work. Kids like Nike.

Coaches matter. Position coaches matter. They are the key to recruiting. Not some sales guy masquerading as a recruiting guru

We didn't have DW last time we had Adidas.

 

[Woodlawn VOL]

If Adidas can’t get colors right why would we want them. They were terrible last time, they should have to prove they can make real Tennessee Orange before we even consider it. And I am no big Nike guy, but they do get colors right and make a lot of good looking apparel. If adidas can improve and show they can cut it maybe we will. But the players and fans aren’t crazy about adidas last go around. GBO

 

[VolGee4]

If Adidas can’t get colors right why would we want them. They were terrible last time, they should have to prove they can make real Tennessee Orange before we even consider it. And I am no big Nike guy, but they do get colors right and make a lot of good looking apparel. If adidas can improve and show they can cut it maybe we will. But the players and fans aren’t crazy about adidas last go around. GBO

It’s generally about money and recognition. If Nike isn’t going to compare us with the deals that they gave Texas and OSU, then you find someone who might. That was also in 2015 and 2016 when they got those deals. I prefer the Nike apparel, but we have a huge fan base who buys merchandise and will be seen all over the world.

 

[SoilVol]

Not sure about this one. We tried adidas once. Didnt work. Kids like Nike.

Coaches matter. Position coaches matter. They are the key to recruiting. Not some sales guy masquerading as a recruiting guru

Are you saying "didn't work" in relation to winning? Recruiting? Or just the color thing?

I think we have competent enough people now to make sure the color is right.

 

[SoilVol]

I'm meh on the Nike/Adidas thing.

Arguments against changing: Nike is a bigger brand in American sports. The youths do like Nike. Nike has made some awesome stuff for us (Smokey Greys, Dark Mode, other sports, etc). Could affect smaller sports more than larger sports in recruiting. Does Adidas screw up the color again or make bad stuff - can we trust them?

Arguments for changing: Nike don't give the public nothing. Nike trifling. Nike funds Oregon. People in sweatshops overseas kill themselves due to working for Nike. Adidas $$$ help recruiting. Be Adidas' signature college (suck it A&M (I'm sure the Yell Leaders would (not that there's anything wrong with that))).

 

[Enki_Amenra]

Y'all know that 200m Adidas number is made up right...

Seems low for a 10yr contract as the premier brand.

 

[jakez4ut]

Oof... Florida... Tough.

 

[Orange.]

I just watched a video of some guys cooking a whole cow in a giant smoker rigged up for the event.

Bevo is going down. Horns down. Temperature up.

 

[TheRain]

In 2017, Louisville signed a 10-year, $160 million contract with Adidas... Nebraska signed an 11-year, $128 million extension with Adidas, averaging about $11.6 million per year... Kansas has a 14-year deal with Adidas worth $191 million, averaging approximately $13.6 million annually, making it one of the top contracts for Adidas.

Tennessee's should be north of 200 mil.

Also, A&M is 6th in recruiting at the moment and Miami is 8th... Adidas doesn't seem to be hurting them.

 

[TheRain]

Not sure about this one. We tried adidas once. Didnt work. Kids like Nike.

Coaches matter. Position coaches matter. They are the key to recruiting. Not some sales guy masquerading as a recruiting guru

Call me optimistic but I think we can do better than just some sales guy.

 

[De La Cloobs]

In other news, Andor season 2 is incredible

 

[UTK]

He only deserves the bench defensively. Curley is a great player, and there’s a reason why he was on the USA team. Sometimes guys just get the yips.

His bat doesn’t make up for his errors. The yips have gone in for 2 months. At certain point enough is enough.

 

[Orange.]

Hawk encounters wooden mallard.

 

[JCVol00]

100 days until kickoff

 

[JCVol00]

Majors didn't deserve to lose his job like he did. The man was 100% TENNESSEE. He was a living VOL legend and UT did him dirty. With that being said, I appreciate what Fulmer (with Chavis and Cutcliff) did in the late 90s but Majors built the program up for him and didn't/doesn't get enough credit for what he did for the University of Tennessee

I honestly dont think we did him THAT dirty, we went 3-0 with Fulmer, then when majors returned we went 2-0 and then a 3 game losing streak, pair that along with Majors getting older and in poor health at the time, I could kind of understand why It went down

 

[Vols4us]

I liked Johnny Majors but it was always "Happy Hour" somewhere... But there isn't anything wrong with that..

Which led to some difficult relationships with some powerful people. I will leave it there, but witnessed some of it first hand.

I am grateful for both. They are Vol legends.

 

[Vols4us]

We didn't have DW last time we had Adidas.

Exactly what is being missed in this conversation IMO.

The previous arrangement with Adidas did not have contractual provisions that will be required today. DW is in charge now.

Which do players want most today should Adidas not match Nike in quality of apparel/shoes - more money or more attractive unis? My guess is that money will win that debate nearly 100% of the time. DW will enforce the look and performance of the product.

Nike has their shot to match or exceed the package offered by Adidas.

 

[TheRain]

ouch... 0-tide

 

[Jackcrevol]

I honestly dont think we did him THAT dirty, we went 3-0 with Fulmer, then when majors returned we went 2-0 and then a 3 game losing streak, pair that along with Majors getting older and in poor health at the time, I could kind of understand why It went down

it was the drinking and odd behavior.

 

[TheRain]

Since my original post had already been posted, I'll post a happy monkey.

 

[DD4ME]

Happy Thursday

May 22, 2025: You are embarking on a new phase of existence and experience, which will cause you to feel out-of-pocket from time to time. But, this is a season of mental and spiritual growth that will serve you well in the future and require your faith to be activated like never before. Never doubt God's presence in your life. Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

 

[UTProf]

Yeah, it was many, many, many years before my time. . . but. . . everything I've heard about it was a bad deal.

Johnny had alcohol issues and had become mean as hell. It was never what it seemed, especially on campus where he’d alienated everyone including players. Johnny blamed Fulmer but Fulmer was one of a handful that stood up for him.

 

[rikberry31]

Why? You have a cybertruck?

No, a Tacoma. In my parts it's considered a gentlemanly truck.