Team chemistry & morale

#1
O

Orange to the Bay

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#1
Wanted to get input, info, thoughts from someone actually in the know; student, grad student, friends with some of the players, in or associated with the athletic dept, etc.

I've heard a few things that make me question, but a) didn't want to post them if they weren't true, and b) wanted to get more insight from any of you who feel like you might have some real info/knowledge.

How is the team's chemistry? Most of the players get along, play hard for each other? Coaches, Dooley included, well liked with players pretty confident in the systems, and positive about future? Coaches seem happy? Like Dooley & the way the program & team is being run?

Things like that. Please let's not waste space with ridiculous posts by those who know nothing. B/c I don't. I'm way off campus. I just infer from media and other reports, so wanted to post this to get some actual knowledge out there. Thanks in advance to those with meaningful replies.
 
#4
#4
Wo, I'm a little closer to Knoxville than Okinawa. Have fun, man! Enjoy the travels & experience. & eating the popcorn, I guess.
 
#6
#6
I work with a current player's mother. Everytime we see each other, we talk UT football. The last couple times we have talked, she has not been happy with what is going on with the team. She doesn't go into any detail, just says she isn't happy about a lot of the things going on.

Biggest thing she said that concerns me is that she still has not met Coach Dooley. Now, I give my full support to the coaching staff whoever they may be, but I have to believe that in 2 years Dooley would have had time to at least meet and shake hands with every player's parents that have visited campus.
 
#8
#8
Windy City Vol said:
Wanted to get input, info, thoughts from someone actually in the know; student, grad student, friends with some of the players, in or associated with the athletic dept, etc.

I've heard a few things that make me question, but a) didn't want to post them if they weren't true, and b) wanted to get more insight from any of you who feel like you might have some real info/knowledge.

How is the team's chemistry? Most of the players get along, play hard for each other? Coaches, Dooley included, well liked with players pretty confident in the systems, and positive about future? Coaches seem happy? Like Dooley & the way the program & team is being run?

Things like that. Please let's not waste space with ridiculous posts by those who know nothing. B/c I don't. I'm way off campus. I just infer from media and other reports, so wanted to post this to get some actual knowledge out there. Thanks in advance to those with meaningful replies.
Click to expand...

Good thread idea, however it is going to filled with people making up that they know people just to get there agenda across. As a student, tutor for the athletic department, and friend of many of the players I can tell you that team chemistry and morale was very good until the month of october. Things did get a little rough during that month though, which is not surprising considering we were getting blown out and had players from three different coaches. However, it was never as bad as that clown tony basillo made it out to be. There was a little bit of truth to that article, but he took it and multiplied it by like 100. As far as the coaches go, it is your typical love hate player coach relationship. The players respect him, however just like at all universities players are very similar to fans in that when things are not going well the coach is questioned. Thus many of the hot topic issues on here (such as simms vs worley) were hot topic issues with the players. All in all, the team chemistry and moral is about what you would expect for a 5-7 team that got blown out multiple times. This is changing with the season over and focus beginning to shift to next year, I would expect it to be at a high come the start of next season.
 
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#11
#11
I didnt see anything that resembles team chemistry in Lexington, and I didnt hear anything that resembles team chemistry after that game. Could be we just needed a purge of Fulmer's last class, or it could be something else. I have very low expectations at this point.
 
#12
#12
vol2013 said:
Good thread idea, however it is going to filled with people making up that they know people just to get there agenda across. As a student, tutor for the athletic department, and friend of many of the players I can tell you that team chemistry and morale was very good until the month of october. Things did get a little rough during that month though, which is not surprising considering we were getting blown out and had players from three different coaches. However, it was never as bad as that clown tony basillo made it out to be. There was a little bit of truth to that article, but he took it and multiplied it by like 100. As far as the coaches go, it is your typical love hate player coach relationship. The players respect him, however just like at all universities players are very similar to fans in that when things are not going well the coach is questioned. Thus many of the hot topic issues on here (such as simms vs worley) were hot topic issues with the players. All in all, the team chemistry and moral is about what you would expect for a 5-7 team that got blown out multiple times. This is changing with the season over and focus beginning to shift to next year, I would expect it to be at a high come the start of next season.
Click to expand...

Good post with the exception of it's the sign of the devil...it's your #666 post. :)
 
#13
#13
vol2013 said:
Good thread idea, however it is going to filled with people making up that they know people just to get there agenda across. As a student, tutor for the athletic department, and friend of many of the players I can tell you that team chemistry and morale was very good until the month of october. Things did get a little rough during that month though, which is not surprising considering we were getting blown out and had players from three different coaches. However, it was never as bad as that clown tony basillo made it out to be. There was a little bit of truth to that article, but he took it and multiplied it by like 100. As far as the coaches go, it is your typical love hate player coach relationship. The players respect him, however just like at all universities players are very similar to fans in that when things are not going well the coach is questioned. Thus many of the hot topic issues on here (such as simms vs worley) were hot topic issues with the players. All in all, the team chemistry and moral is about what you would expect for a 5-7 team that got blown out multiple times. This is changing with the season over and focus beginning to shift to next year, I would expect it to be at a high come the start of next season.
Click to expand...

I often wonder what people expect team chemistry and morale to be like when you get you're young, get your azzes kicked and finish 5-7.

My God, if anyone thinks team chemistry and morale after a season like this last one can be good, they would have to be the biggest idiot of all time.
 
#14
#14
vol2013 said:
Good thread idea, however it is going to filled with people making up that they know people just to get there agenda across. As a student, tutor for the athletic department, and friend of many of the players I can tell you that team chemistry and morale was very good until the month of october. Things did get a little rough during that month though, which is not surprising considering we were getting blown out and had players from three different coaches. However, it was never as bad as that clown tony basillo made it out to be. There was a little bit of truth to that article, but he took it and multiplied it by like 100. As far as the coaches go, it is your typical love hate player coach relationship. The players respect him, however just like at all universities players are very similar to fans in that when things are not going well the coach is questioned. Thus many of the hot topic issues on here (such as simms vs worley) were hot topic issues with the players. All in all, the team chemistry and moral is about what you would expect for a 5-7 team that got blown out multiple times. This is changing with the season over and focus beginning to shift to next year, I would expect it to be at a high come the start of next season.
Click to expand...

I figure you're right about how people will write and make stuff up. That said, you post was exactly the type of stuff I was looking for, so thanks!
 
#15
#15
I know someone that goes to UT, so my sources are 100% correct. I also used to go to UT about 3 years ago, so I am in the know. I hear that Dooley and the team are tight. Supposedly he used to take the team out to 3Spoons every week for some yogurt. Most weekends he will host a sleepover, complete with a pillow fight. Every now and then Pearl would invite them all over for a BBQ. The teams favorite Disney movie is Fox and the Hound.


Just what I have heard...or made up like everybody else on here...

Honestly though, with all of the injuries, coaching changes, and a dismal season, I would think the negative morale would be expected. The team is extremely young, so of course they are going to play to their emotions too much. I have heard lots of people say negative things about the program, players, and morale. It is probably true to some extent, but if the players did not care I never would of expected the reaction the team had when they beat Vandy. If they all hated each other, could not stand Dooley, would they of really rallied together like that in the locker room? I would like to think no.

Go Vols
 
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#16
#16
Dooley cited during his last media session, last Monday iirc, that there was a definite rift between the older players and the younger players, siting investment of time vs. lack of time on the team as a dividing line. He then went on to say he was looking forward to this next season and that UT wouldn't have the same problems as last year in the leadership dept.

Should be in here.........in the video..........

Derek Dooley clears the air; asks for patience in hirings » GoVolsXtra
 
#17
#17
vol2013 said:
Good thread idea, however it is going to filled with people making up that they know people just to get there agenda across. As a student, tutor for the athletic department, and friend of many of the players I can tell you that team chemistry and morale was very good until the month of october. Things did get a little rough during that month though, which is not surprising considering we were getting blown out and had players from three different coaches. However, it was never as bad as that clown tony basillo made it out to be. There was a little bit of truth to that article, but he took it and multiplied it by like 100. As far as the coaches go, it is your typical love hate player coach relationship. The players respect him, however just like at all universities players are very similar to fans in that when things are not going well the coach is questioned. Thus many of the hot topic issues on here (such as simms vs worley) were hot topic issues with the players. All in all, the team chemistry and moral is about what you would expect for a 5-7 team that got blown out multiple times. This is changing with the season over and focus beginning to shift to next year, I would expect it to be at a high come the start of next season.
Click to expand...

I think this is the key to the issue. Hardly ever gets recognized either. Kelly at ND had the issue come up in the middle of the season, so UT and CDD arent the only one with this issue. I think once CDD can get guys in that he recruited for 1-2 yrs these issues will go away. Even the Da'rick and Bray class was a last minute class that he didn't build a solid relationship with over yrs. So even that class can have it's issues, but of course the older guys seeing young guys being favored will cause big issues. Especially if they the young guys flaunt it in the older guys faces. It showed more on the off then the def IMO.
 
#18
#18
bigeasy said:
I know someone that goes to UT, so my sources are 100% correct. I also used to go to UT about 3 years ago, so I am in the know. I hear that Dooley and the team are tight. Supposedly he used to take the team out to 3Spoons every week for some yogurt. Most weekends he will host a sleepover, complete with a pillow fight. Every now and then Pearl would invite them all over for a BBQ. The teams favorite Disney movie is Fox and the Hound.


Just what I have heard...or made up like everybody else on here...

Honestly though, with all of the injuries, coaching changes, and a dismal season, I would think the negative morale would be expected. The team is extremely young, so of course they are going to play to their emotions too much. I have heard lots of people say negative things about the program, players, and morale. It is probably true to some extent, but if the players did not care I never would of expected the reaction the team had when they beat Vandy. If they all hated each other, could not stand Dooley, would they of really rallied together like that in the locker room? I would like to think no.

Go Vols
Click to expand...

Ridiculous first paragraph. Haha. But, you end with a solid point. :good!:
 
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#19
#19
I've told this story once before a while back, but this thread topic would be a good fit about it. First I am a big Dooley supporter, so all negadooley's know how to bash me if u don't like the fact that my story takes a bullet out of ur hater gun.

I went to the LSU game last yr in BR. Didn't get as much trash talk as I thought I would. I did get a lot of "hey we'll trade u Miles for Dooley!!!". Of course that would be different after their season this yr, but honestly it made me feel better about him being our coach. I got this A LOT and all day long. They knew more about him and his reputation must have been solid in the LA if I got this from so many LSU fans.

Thats actually not my main pt. The guy sitting next to me at the game and I started to talk during halftime, and he started with the whole my dad is friends with a bunch of HS coaches yadda yadda yadda. So I kind of blew off what he was telling me a bit. He seemed like a solid guy, but the whole friend of friends etc etc always puts my guard up. Anyway, he too was positive about CDD, but what he told me about Janzen Jackson was what was the most interesting to me. He told me that he would be surprised if JJ finished his career at UT, and that he was happy that LSU didn't get him. Of course, I thought the guy is a sore loser or whatever, but I still asked him questions about why. He was telling me it had to do more with his dad (maybe step dad) and how it was sad how he would drag JJ down. When JJ left for a semester I thought about this conversation, and when he got let go I wasn't as surprised or heart broken as most.

I tell this story because I know many blame Dooley for JJ no longer being with UT. Some issuses may be CDDs fault, but I wanted to squash this one from those that use it as ammo to say he is a bad coach or hard to deal with.
 
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