The Three Ways John Currie Failed in His Duties

[VFL-82-JP]

Arrogance: by declining the use of a search firm, Currie told the state of Tennessee, "trust me, I got this." By announcing he would give no updates on the search until it was complete, he told us, "don't worry, you're going to like it" (see below about miscommunication). He didn't have it. We didn't like it.

Miscommunication: every 'buyer' who goes out to acquire something on behalf of others knows that managing expectations is key, and is all about communicating. First, listening--knowing what the constituents desire. Second, feedback--communicating to guide those expectations within the realm of what is possible. It is not a rare skill; every parent has done this with their children in the weeks before Christmas. Currie clearly either did not understand our collective expectations, or did not bother to manage them.

Dishonesty (or Incompetence): this one is difficult to judge; either Currie intended to mislead or he was, himself, ignorant of Schiano's questionable past. Starting the search for a new coach, he said he would seek a man of "integrity and vision." Aside from the ability to win championships, those were the only criteria he explicitly mentioned. Integrity and vision. For many of us, the integrity part immediately ruled out Kiffin, and Petrino, and (had we known to think that far down the list) Schiano. And yet, he attempted to deliver one of the very few coaches among a sea of possibilities who failed to meet those stated criteria.

 

[titansvolsfaninga]

He trotted out someone who met none of the states criteria. That's like going shopping for a black Tesla and coming back with a red hummer.

 

[Roustabout]

Arrogance: by declining the use of a search firm, Currie told the state of Tennessee, "trust me, I got this." By announcing he would give no updates on the search until it was complete, he told us, "don't worry, you're going to like it" (see below about miscommunication). He didn't have it. We didn't like it.

Miscommunication: every 'buyer' who goes out to acquire something on behalf of others knows that managing expectations is key, and is all about communicating. First, listening--knowing what the constituents desire. Second, feedback--communicating to guide those expectations within the realm of what is possible. It is not a rare skill; every parent has done this with their children in the weeks before Christmas. Currie clearly either did not understand our collective expectations, or did not bother to manage them.

Dishonesty (or Incompetence): this one is difficult to judge; either Currie intended to mislead or he was, himself, ignorant of Schiano's questionable past. Starting the search for a new coach, he said he would seek a man of "integrity and character." Aside from the ability to win championships, those were the only criteria he explicitly mentioned. Integrity and character. For many of us, this statement immediately ruled out Kiffin, and Petrino, and (had we known to think that far down the list) Schiano. And yet, he attempted to deliver one of the very few coaches among a sea of possibilities who failed to meet those stated criteria.

Nice summary?!

 

[OrangeByBirth]

I agree with part and disagree with other areas. I think a search firm is often just a crutch used to isolate the decision maker from the decision. I was glad he was willing to make a decision. On the other hand, he showed an inability to do that on his own!

Most of us knew Jones was gone after Florida and clearly after UGA. He should have hired a coach -- even if only on paper -- at that time and moved seamlessly. He did not.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

I agree with part and disagree with other areas. I think a search firm is often just a crutch used to isolate the decision maker from the decision. I was glad he was willing to make a decision. On the other hand, he showed an inability to do that on his own!

Agreed, OBB, there's nothing wrong with declining the use of a search firm...if you can nail the right hire on your own.

He couldn't. An exaggerated sense of one's abilities, that's arrogance.

 

[volcop1]

he meet him on Craigslist

 

[UT-Rex]

UTSPORTS,
John Currie Press Conference Transcript (11.12) - University of Tennessee Athletics

excerpts, c.a. Nov 12, 2017

(Opening Statement)
"We will begin an exhaustive search to identify a coach of the highest integrity and vision to propel Tennessee to championships.

"I encourage you all to ask your questions today, as I do not plan to comment on the search publicly until we introduce our new head coach."

(On the requirements he has in mind for the next Tennessee football head coach)
"Certainly all of our searches will start with integrity and a commitment to doing things the right way.


(On if he will have a committee)
"I consider myself very blessed. I've been able to develop really good relationships across intercollegiate athletics and I'll rely on some of those relationships as well as some folks in and around this community."


(On if money will be an issue on getting the top candidate for the job and how much pressure he (Currie) feels in regard to finding the next coach for Tennessee)
"I understand the enormous responsibility that goes along with leading a process like this. I understand what's at stake."


(On if a search committee will be hired)
"No, not at this time."

(On if Currie has plans to utilize a search firm)
"Not at this time."

(On if he can address rumors about specific head coaching targets; and on if the December NCAA Signing Period creates difficulties for NFL coaches to be viable candidates)
"One of the things that most important for me to do is not add to misinformation, so I will not be making any comments or responses to specific candidates or specific rumors.


(On if any perception of program instability will be a challenge to persuading a coach to accept the Tennessee job)
"Transition is part of our enterprise, and preparedness for transition is part of my responsibility."

 

[Vol4Life2007]

Currie really screwed the Pooch with this deal didn't he? On a positive note, he can't really do much worse with whoever he chooses...I bet the White house doesn't get involved with the next hire. HAHAHA

 

[ptcarter]

Nice summary, all true. But I think it's deeper than that. I'm a pretty big fan of Doug Mathews "Big Orange Sunday". There are podcasts available.
Two weeks ago, Doug was talking about Currie and the coach search. He was under the impression, and assured everyone, that Fulmer and Peyton (UT football royalty for lack of a better word) would be involved in have strong input in the hire.

Yesterday, he was on a rant about how the UT adminstration almost automatically disqualified anyone who had strong UT roots, because after Fulmer - there was a feeling by the administration of too many "inbred" in the Athletic department. They wanted away from the guys like Woodruff, Majors, Fulmer . He didn't say it, but there are more that were remnants of the Neyland years - like Gus Manning, George Cafego to name a few.
Those guys really defined UT football as we know it, and the departure has been a failure.

I worked washing dishes at Gibbs all through the 70s. Cafego, Gus Manning and Majors were all in there eating each day. Naturally, I understand exactly what Doug was saying.

This article below should tell you everything you want to know about this coaching search beyond all the creepy pedophile encounter stuff.

Think for a minute, how many contacts that Peyton has with coaches and players in the NFL. His whole petigree is championship football. If I had one resource to say"I need a coach, know anyone that would do a good job?" it'd be Peyton. The link below tells me Peyton's input was ignored. He wouldn't have signed on with Schiano.

Greg Schiano has heated history with Peyton Manning over kneel-down incidents

Watch Schiano try to put positive spin on why his defense would hit a kneeling QB. That clip there tells you (almost) everything you need to know about this man.

So why would you not use Peyton? Start at Currie and go up the tree. Davenport? UT Pres? Haslams? Seems somewhere along the line, there is some arrogance, stubborness and stupidity to purposely steer away from those that have been successful and defined UT football in the 20th Century. The part that makes no sense to me is that Papa Haslam was a Neyland man, was a captain and played on the '51 national championship team. He either feels the same way as his sons, or has no power anymore.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Thanks, PT, well put.

One of the themes running in media circles right now is that Tennessee fans (the more disparaging reporters call us "social media rabble," as if there aren't real people behind the keyboards) had no idea where Greg Schiano fit in the Sandusky story, or even knew who Schiano was prior to yesterday.

This is playing on a stereotype (or a couple of different stereotypes, if you include the "social media rabble" bit) on their part, an attempt to portray Vols fans as Southerners disconnected from "real America."

Yes, we knew of Greg Schiano when he led Rutgers to uncharacteristic success. Every football fan in America knew of him in those years. We did not know (at least, I didn't) that he coached for Paterno at Penn State, though it was fairly common knowledge that he came from Miami just prior to being named head coach at Rutgers. We followed his success at Rutgers along with the rest of the nation.

Those of us who also follow pro football knew of Schiano's two years in the NFL.

And yes, we were certainly aware in 2016 that revealed court documents indicated key prosecution witness and whistle-blower Mike McQueary believed Schiano was among those who knew of Sandusky's criminal acts long before they were reported. It was a national story; all of the U.S. was aware, particularly all who follow college football.

So for the media (and Penn State fans) to pretend that we're just a rabble of uninformed hicks from the Appalachians is disingenuous, at best.

For Currie not to know all the above, if he didn't, that's incompetence.

 

[ptcarter]

Thanks, PT, well put.



For Currie not to know all the above, if he didn't, that's incompetence.

EXACTLY.. Also something to ponder:
These power brokers trying to steer clear of Tennessee loyalty put Currie in charge. As the smoke begins to clear, I think it's obvious that Fulmer or Blackburn wouldn't have blundered like this.

 

[RollerVol]

We are tennessee...always was and always will be...we shouldn't care what anybody else says...we have power and we're not afraid to use it, if necessary...we stand together...and,

go vols!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Boston_Vol]

Currie created this situation for himself. If he hadn't loss so much credibility with the fans about how he chose to deal with the Butch Jones firing he probably would have had the social capital to with stand a Schiano hire. During the season most fan felt Currie was arrogant and taunted the fan(I didn't feel this way), all the Fire CBJ post in various parts of the country, and him letting the Grumors live on led to this point we are at now. Currie himself is just a bad fit for UT so he's going to hire a bad fit.

 

[Wolfeman_Vol]

It's funny to me, even without the Sandusky business, that Schiano and integrity do not go together. A coach does NOT force his players to go after the knees of other players, rig team captain elections, and police the locker room and sidelines for things to use against his players. Dude is scum and should never, ever have been considered in the first place. And then, there's the possibility of all that Sandusky stuff...i can't believe the Haslam,Currie, or anyone would be stupid enough to trot that dude out as our coach.

 

[Rusty356]

Arrogance: by declining the use of a search firm, Currie told the state of Tennessee, "trust me, I got this." By announcing he would give no updates on the search until it was complete, he told us, "don't worry, you're going to like it" (see below about miscommunication). He didn't have it. We didn't like it.

Miscommunication: every 'buyer' who goes out to acquire something on behalf of others knows that managing expectations is key, and is all about communicating. First, listening--knowing what the constituents desire. Second, feedback--communicating to guide those expectations within the realm of what is possible. It is not a rare skill; every parent has done this with their children in the weeks before Christmas. Currie clearly either did not understand our collective expectations, or did not bother to manage them.

Dishonesty (or Incompetence): this one is difficult to judge; either Currie intended to mislead or he was, himself, ignorant of Schiano's questionable past. Starting the search for a new coach, he said he would seek a man of "integrity and vision." Aside from the ability to win championships, those were the only criteria he explicitly mentioned. Integrity and vision. For many of us, the integrity part immediately ruled out Kiffin, and Petrino, and (had we known to think that far down the list) Schiano. And yet, he attempted to deliver one of the very few coaches among a sea of possibilities who failed to meet those stated criteria.

Since AD Currie has not announced his selection for head football coach yet, all of this speculation is premature at best and probably little more than a silly waste of time. I just hope he chooses an older and wiser head coach than the last two AD's chose. Coach Mark McHale would be an excellent bet.

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Since AD Currie has not announced his selection for head football coach yet, all of this speculation is premature at best and probably little more than a silly waste of time. I just hope he chooses an older and wiser head coach than the last two AD's chose. Coach Mark McHale would be an excellent bet.

As long as he still works for the Vols, Currie is welcome to prove elements of this assessment wrong by coming up with a home run hire.

But don't try to pretend that we weren't hours away from signing Schiano to a contract yesterday. That actually happened, and Currie remains accountable for it, even as he tries to recover.

 

[TNCUP]

When need AD's to be former COACHES! From Hamilton, Hart and Currie; it has been totally incompetentance!

 

[Dobbs 4 Heisman]

John Currie should be fired immediately.

The decision to hire Schiano is unacceptable.

Someone who thought that was a good decision can't lead this program. PERIOD.

 

[Thorp32]

Arrogance: by declining the use of a search firm, Currie told the state of Tennessee, "trust me, I got this." By announcing he would give no updates on the search until it was complete, he told us, "don't worry, you're going to like it" (see below about miscommunication). He didn't have it. We didn't like it.

Miscommunication: every 'buyer' who goes out to acquire something on behalf of others knows that managing expectations is key, and is all about communicating. First, listening--knowing what the constituents desire. Second, feedback--communicating to guide those expectations within the realm of what is possible. It is not a rare skill; every parent has done this with their children in the weeks before Christmas. Currie clearly either did not understand our collective expectations, or did not bother to manage them.

Dishonesty (or Incompetence): this one is difficult to judge; either Currie intended to mislead or he was, himself, ignorant of Schiano's questionable past. Starting the search for a new coach, he said he would seek a man of "integrity and vision." Aside from the ability to win championships, those were the only criteria he explicitly mentioned. Integrity and vision. For many of us, the integrity part immediately ruled out Kiffin, and Petrino, and (had we known to think that far down the list) Schiano. And yet, he attempted to deliver one of the very few coaches among a sea of possibilities who failed to meet those stated criteria.

Awesome post!. This is it and the bare truth. Currie must go either because of his intentional lies or gross malfeasance. To cime out and state that you were not aware that Shiano coached at Penn State after the fact is inexcusable. Sonic wants your past three year employers before they hire an employee. Really Currie?????