I’ll eat my crow with a ton of hot sauce. After over 40 days, the search appeared to be aimless. But when Pruitt got Chaney interested, he and Fulmer (and the Administration) did what it took to get it done. This is a statement hire for the program and the SEC. Tennessee is not going to be outbid and is here to compete with the other top programs.
Some will say UGA no longer wanted Chaney, or that we overpaid, but they would be wrong on both accounts. UGA got into a bidding war with us and lost. It’s been reported that they wouldn’t match the last offer because it would have been disruptive to the staff. They wanted him to stay. Also, by making him one of the highest paid OCs in football, we are making clear to every coach out there that we are ready to do whatever it takes to retain the best and win.
While I don’t think this search unfolded necessarily as initially envisioned, when they saw an opportunity, they took it. I am heartened by that. It’s a change in mentality, and a significant one at that.