casual-observer
Pantone 151C
- Joined
- Nov 27, 2017
- Messages
- 272
- Likes
- 884
Following on a post I uploaded yesterday (see: Just How Good Is This Heupel Guy?), I have thought for many years that success at the college level can be reduced to the following three variables:
#1 - Recruiting
#2 - Player Development
#3 - In-Game Coaching
There are other factors such as game plan, game week preparation, strength/conditioning, and scheme, but I believe all other factors can fall under one of these three headings.
Those are just a few examples to back up my supposed theory of the Three Keys.
Finally, I think Tennessee has hit a home run with Heupel. I truly believe he fills all three slots and it proves out when you look at all he has accomplished in the past 3.25 years with a vastly inferior roster. He has both used the portal and NIL to fill those gaps and the talent he does have, he is turning into superstars. I think of the 12 losses he has sustained at Tennessee, the majority can be related to depth of the roster.
It's a sunny outlook for the future of the Vols! So...gbo...wgwtfa...vols by fiddy!
#1 - Recruiting
#2 - Player Development
#3 - In-Game Coaching
There are other factors such as game plan, game week preparation, strength/conditioning, and scheme, but I believe all other factors can fall under one of these three headings.
-> When we look at the success of a program like Saban's Alabama, they were able to operate at a high level in "all three phases" (see what I did there?)
-> Up until the second half of Saturday night's game, I always felt Kirby not-so-Smart got by on #1 and #2 (and mostly #1). Saban was always able to adjust mid-game and punish the leg humpers and thus the 9-1 recent record. Contrary to how I feel about UGA's coach, he did a great job shutting down Milroe in the second half and put them in a great position to win an amazing come back.
-> Fulmer's kryptonite in the 90's was his lack of #3. Tennessee recruited nationally at a stellar pace, and could make men out of the boys that came to the hill. But how many of their few losses in the "Decade of Dominance" came at the hands of Coach Spurrier making adjustments and beating him to the finish line.
-> Butch Jones lacked #2 - he had great players and was a decent in-game coach but, my word, think of the list of NFL ballers that were wasted under CBJ!
-> Sonny Dykes was a master at #3 in 2022 which got them to the big dance before they ran out of house money.
Those are just a few examples to back up my supposed theory of the Three Keys.
Finally, I think Tennessee has hit a home run with Heupel. I truly believe he fills all three slots and it proves out when you look at all he has accomplished in the past 3.25 years with a vastly inferior roster. He has both used the portal and NIL to fill those gaps and the talent he does have, he is turning into superstars. I think of the 12 losses he has sustained at Tennessee, the majority can be related to depth of the roster.
It's a sunny outlook for the future of the Vols! So...gbo...wgwtfa...vols by fiddy!
Last edited: