What will it take to get UT football back to winning big? I'm talking about 95-01 big. Well, the anwer is: a lot of things. But #1 on the list to winning big is bringing in elite talent, at every position, on a consistent annual basis.
So, this requires DD and staff compete for and sign their share of 4-5 star guys from QB to DE to CB. To do so, this will also require they go head-to-head with Saban, Richt, Meyer, Fisher, Miles, Spurrier, and Davis to get those players. Do this, the odds of UT wins big again increase very quickly.
Okay....so now that what should be the obvious is out of the way....the fundamental question:
How do you go get them to come to UT?
The answer to this is also obvious: you provide for these elite players what they are looking for. The fact is most of these elite young players are from poor, black communities. They don't have much, and football is their ticket not only out...but directly to the riches and fame of the NFL. This is, by far, undeniably, the #1 MOST important piece to these elite players making their college choice. Sure, there are other factors, such as winning, coaching relationship, campus atmosphere, early PT opportunity, etc. But these elite players KNOW how good they are, and above all they want as close to a guarantee that this program will get them where they want to go. Also, FYI, this may come as a shock to many, but most of these kids aren't a fan on the same level as you or I, and really don't care or factor loyalty into their decision.
So, if you agree with this or accept it for truth, then you'll likely also agree with me that DD's tenure will be 100% determined by his ability to get these players to come to UT in 2011-2012. Folks, this is nothing other than the Saban priniciple, Saban system, Saban program I am describing, and I honestly expected to see more of it emerging from the shadows at this point. These next two classes will dictate whatever momentum is established in the future of the program. He can certainly sell the NFL, just by pointing to the 6 players just drafted. He'll also have to sell kids he coached at LSU as part of that staff to convince kids he has a personal track record of knowing the game, the system, and how to get them there. All those other coaches listed before are also doing this in the same living rooms, and Dooley MUST play poker at this high-stakes, no-limit table to have any chance of succeeding.
Sell the NFL pipeline, convince them that UT has always gotten them there and he knows how to as well, and force pen to paper with the big dogs of the 2011-12 classes. Once they're on campus, they'll embrace the tradition and discipline of the program, and team underpinned by elite talent will form. Then....UT will win big again.
So, this requires DD and staff compete for and sign their share of 4-5 star guys from QB to DE to CB. To do so, this will also require they go head-to-head with Saban, Richt, Meyer, Fisher, Miles, Spurrier, and Davis to get those players. Do this, the odds of UT wins big again increase very quickly.
Okay....so now that what should be the obvious is out of the way....the fundamental question:
How do you go get them to come to UT?
The answer to this is also obvious: you provide for these elite players what they are looking for. The fact is most of these elite young players are from poor, black communities. They don't have much, and football is their ticket not only out...but directly to the riches and fame of the NFL. This is, by far, undeniably, the #1 MOST important piece to these elite players making their college choice. Sure, there are other factors, such as winning, coaching relationship, campus atmosphere, early PT opportunity, etc. But these elite players KNOW how good they are, and above all they want as close to a guarantee that this program will get them where they want to go. Also, FYI, this may come as a shock to many, but most of these kids aren't a fan on the same level as you or I, and really don't care or factor loyalty into their decision.
So, if you agree with this or accept it for truth, then you'll likely also agree with me that DD's tenure will be 100% determined by his ability to get these players to come to UT in 2011-2012. Folks, this is nothing other than the Saban priniciple, Saban system, Saban program I am describing, and I honestly expected to see more of it emerging from the shadows at this point. These next two classes will dictate whatever momentum is established in the future of the program. He can certainly sell the NFL, just by pointing to the 6 players just drafted. He'll also have to sell kids he coached at LSU as part of that staff to convince kids he has a personal track record of knowing the game, the system, and how to get them there. All those other coaches listed before are also doing this in the same living rooms, and Dooley MUST play poker at this high-stakes, no-limit table to have any chance of succeeding.
Sell the NFL pipeline, convince them that UT has always gotten them there and he knows how to as well, and force pen to paper with the big dogs of the 2011-12 classes. Once they're on campus, they'll embrace the tradition and discipline of the program, and team underpinned by elite talent will form. Then....UT will win big again.
