Pulled this from VQ from a guy who is quoting the athletic. We have everything that we need to be successful except a good HC. There is nothing holding us back except that. We have everything at TN that every other top team has.
Much of this pulled from the outstanding article in The Athletic by David Ubben found here:
https://theathletic.com/2303984/202...y-pruitt-football/?source=user_shared_article
Bottom line: Tennessee is in the top 5 in the nation for commitment level but nowhere near there in terms of results and return on the investment.
- Pruitt requested and received a third full-length practice field for the complex ~$667,000
- Pruitt/Fitzgerald received ~$660,000 to renovate the weight room
- Tennessee has been 1 of only 5 schools in the country with two $1 million coordinators
- In 2020, Tennessee's assistant coaching pool ranked 8th in country in total $ spent
- Tennessee's total football staff has increased from 48 to 71 people since Pruitt got here
- Tennessee had more than $58 million in football expenses in 2018 and more than $51 million in 2017, according to the most recent data from the Knight Commission. In both years, Alabama was the only FBS program with higher expenses.
Putting aside 45-5 in the 90s, putting aside 102,455 showing up every Saturday, putting aside General Neyland, Johnny Majors and the rich history of football success on the Hill ....
These commitment figures are why Taxslayer Bowl wins are not enough.
These commitment figures are why losses to Georgia State, BYU, Kentucky, Arkansas are unacceptable.
These commitment figures are why 3-7 in year 3 should cost you your job.
No one should say that our administration doesn't care or isn't bought in. We are. They are giving the money. They just need to make a good hire. Billy Napier wants exactly what is written above. He wants to be able to have the resources he needs to win. We'll give him that and he will win. Or someone like that. We should be able to hire whoever we want.