Things just feel different with Pruitt

#1
NighthawkVol

NighthawkVol

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#1
Coach Pruitt recognizing Missouri’s fake punt and screaming it out to his players wasn’t an isolated incident. I recall his recognition of Auburn’s offensive plays and calling certain blitzes to counter from the sidelines last year. And it made me think: when have we had a coach who was so talented at seeing the game in real time and playing it like a master of chess? Fulmer was a CEO type. Dooley...no. Butch...no. Kiffin would come closest, but on the offensive side of the ball.

Things just feel different with Pruitt. He has a great football mind. I’ve said since last year that he’s the best defensive mind on The Hill since Ken Donahue. On top of that, he’s a disciplinarian, but a player’s coach for whom players want to perform. He and his staff have obviously developed this roster, as well. He seems to have all the requisite skills to succeed.

I remember in the 90s wishing we had an X’s and O’s mind like Spurrier...a guy who gives you a tactical advantage every time out. That not only puts players in a better position to make plays, but it also creates a psychological advantage (which is really where Spurrier’s teams had Fulmer’s beat). I think we have that now on the defensive side of the ball. But I also think Pruitt has an overall great football mind, rather than just being good at one side of the ball. We heard how he told Chaney to call the JG bootleg to seal the Kentucky game.

This rebuild is still a work in progress. There are still a lot of mental mistakes to clean up. The talent still needs to improve. But we have our football coach. I’ve hoped that with the others. I believe it now. This just feels different.
 
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#2
#2
GregAmsler said:
Coach Pruitt recognizing Missouri’s fake punt and screaming it out to his players wasn’t an isolated incident. I recall his recognition of Auburn’s offensive plays and calling certain blitzes to counter from the sidelines last year. And it made me think: when have we had a coach who was so talented at seeing the game in real time and playing it like a master of chess? Fulmer was a CEO type. Dooley...no. Butch...no. Kiffin would come closest, but on the offensive side of the ball.

Things just feel different with Pruitt. He has a great football mind. I’ve said since last year that he’s the best defensive mind on The Hill since Ken Donahue. On top of that, he’s a disciplinarian, but a player’s coach for whom players want to perform. He and His staff have obviously developed this roster, as well. He seems to have all the requisite skills to succeed.

I remember in the 90s wishing we had an X’s and O’s mind like Spurrier...a guy who gives you a tactical advantage every time out. That not only puts players in a better position to make plays, but it also creates a psychological advantage (which is really where Spurrier’s teams had Fulmer’s beat). I think we have that now, but on the defensive side of the ball.

This rebuild is still a work in progress. There are still a lot of mental mistakes to clean up. The talent still needs to improve. But we have our football coach. I’ve hoped that with the others. I believe it now. This just feels different.
Click to expand...

We’ve won close games that we normally have lost.

One thing this team has done is made sure to have low scoring low margin victories. Pruitt’s team in SEC play has scored more than 24 points just twice I think. (Auburn and South Carolina)..... i love the gritty wins because defense is making stops and plays we aren’t used to seeing with Tennessee.
 
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#3
#3
I think one of the best indicators of progress is the SEC record. It’s easy to think about the first two games, but I’d trade those any day for 2 league wins. We had to start beating the teams in the SEC we are either on par with or better than. Pruitt will have this team ready Saturday and we will probably find ourselves matched against a solid team for a bowl. I initially wanted an easy win bowl for momentum in recruiting but I think the biggest exposure we can get is what will help. Regardless of a win or not that might be the biggest draw for recruiting.
 
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#4
#4
I agree with much of what you said. I think the biggest boom we could get is to get a bowl game and be a 2 touchdown under dog. You give Pruitt, his staff and this TEAM a month to prepare for the game. I like our odds of winning. If we do this it would make a great impact on our recruiting. This not the same team that started this season. Stevie Wonder can see the difference. I can not remember watching a team that has made as big of improvement.
 
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#5
#5
GregAmsler said:
Coach Pruitt recognizing Missouri’s fake punt and screaming it out to his players wasn’t an isolated incident. I recall his recognition of Auburn’s offensive plays and calling certain blitzes to counter from the sidelines last year. And it made me think: when have we had a coach who was so talented at seeing the game in real time and playing it like a master of chess? Fulmer was a CEO type. Dooley...no. Butch...no. Kiffin would come closest, but on the offensive side of the ball.

Things just feel different with Pruitt. He has a great football mind. I’ve said since last year that he’s the best defensive mind on The Hill since Ken Donahue. On top of that, he’s a disciplinarian, but a player’s coach for whom players want to perform. He and His staff have obviously developed this roster, as well. He seems to have all the requisite skills to succeed.

I remember in the 90s wishing we had an X’s and O’s mind like Spurrier...a guy who gives you a tactical advantage every time out. That not only puts players in a better position to make plays, but it also creates a psychological advantage (which is really where Spurrier’s teams had Fulmer’s beat). I think we have that now, but on the defensive side of the ball.

This rebuild is still a work in progress. There are still a lot of mental mistakes to clean up. The talent still needs to improve. But we have our football coach. I’ve hoped that with the others. I believe it now. This just feels different.
Click to expand...
The coaching is there and now we just need an upgrade in talent and depth in some places. I think getting to a bowl game will show some recruits that may have been on the fence that we are on the way back. Player development,which has been nonexistent at UT for a while, is back and showing benefits. There are a lot of positives to see with the current staff.
 
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#6
#6
GregAmsler said:
Coach Pruitt recognizing Missouri’s fake punt and screaming it out to his players wasn’t an isolated incident. I recall his recognition of Auburn’s offensive plays and calling certain blitzes to counter from the sidelines last year. And it made me think: when have we had a coach who was so talented at seeing the game in real time and playing it like a master of chess? Fulmer was a CEO type. Dooley...no. Butch...no. Kiffin would come closest, but on the offensive side of the ball.

Things just feel different with Pruitt. He has a great football mind. I’ve said since last year that he’s the best defensive mind on The Hill since Ken Donahue. On top of that, he’s a disciplinarian, but a player’s coach for whom players want to perform. He and His staff have obviously developed this roster, as well. He seems to have all the requisite skills to succeed.

I remember in the 90s wishing we had an X’s and O’s mind like Spurrier...a guy who gives you a tactical advantage every time out. That not only puts players in a better position to make plays, but it also creates a psychological advantage (which is really where Spurrier’s teams had Fulmer’s beat). I think we have that now, but on the defensive side of the ball.

This rebuild is still a work in progress. There are still a lot of mental mistakes to clean up. The talent still needs to improve. But we have our football coach. I’ve hoped that with the others. I believe it now. This just feels different.
Click to expand...

Pruitt is definitely a throwback coach more of a Summit type on the sidelines which I love BUT you better win because if you are in your face coach now days. The sports media will chew you up and spit you out, winning will give you the brush back fans and shut up the media. Lose and you are doomed.
Just example after the face mask grab we have not lost after jersey grab we won ,these will be downplayed. Lose and these actions will be exacerbated.
 
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#7
#7
Need to see more success. Remember, it wasn't that long ago that we were 1-4 with a couple embarrassing losses. Plus recruiting right now isn't exactly taking off.

Need to see some 9 and 10 win seasons before "I believe it"

We had these same type of threads early on with Butch
 
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#8
#8
GregAmsler said:
Coach Pruitt recognizing Missouri’s fake punt and screaming it out to his players wasn’t an isolated incident. I recall his recognition of Auburn’s offensive plays and calling certain blitzes to counter from the sidelines last year. And it made me think: when have we had a coach who was so talented at seeing the game in real time and playing it like a master of chess? Fulmer was a CEO type. Dooley...no. Butch...no. Kiffin would come closest, but on the offensive side of the ball.

Things just feel different with Pruitt. He has a great football mind. I’ve said since last year that he’s the best defensive mind on The Hill since Ken Donahue. On top of that, he’s a disciplinarian, but a player’s coach for whom players want to perform. He and His staff have obviously developed this roster, as well. He seems to have all the requisite skills to succeed.

I remember in the 90s wishing we had an X’s and O’s mind like Spurrier...a guy who gives you a tactical advantage every time out. That not only puts players in a better position to make plays, but it also creates a psychological advantage (which is really where Spurrier’s teams had Fulmer’s beat). I think we have that now, but on the defensive side of the ball.

This rebuild is still a work in progress. There are still a lot of mental mistakes to clean up. The talent still needs to improve. But we have our football coach. I’ve hoped that with the others. I believe it now. This just feels different.
Click to expand...
Agreed
 
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#10
#10
Pruitt has def met my expectations which were cautiously optimistic, based on his previous associations and his complete resume, such as it was. It is clear that he has made a great leap forward from year one to year two, and that in the wake of the nightmare that began the season.
While one could hope for just a little more charisma, competence goes a lot farther and I am seeing a big upside for the man.
 
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#11
#11
The other thing I'm seeing this year is that for the most part we are making good half-time adjustments for the most part and we just have not had that the last decade or so. I'm loving it and I really wonder if Georgia is not missing Chaney now as they do not seem to like their new OC at all.
 
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#12
#12
vols 30 said:
Need to see more success. Remember, it wasn't that long ago that we were 1-4 with a couple embarrassing losses. Plus recruiting right now isn't exactly taking off.

Need to see some 9 and 10 win seasons before "I believe it"

We had these same type of threads early on with Butch
Click to expand...

He will win 5 SEC games with nothing special on the D line. That is good work in the SEC.

Anyone making these threads under Butch was fooled. Pruitt isnt doing this with smoke and mirrors. He is doing it with fundamental football played with great effort by his players.
 
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#13
#13
When we first hired him, I mentioned Pruitt struck me as a guy who loves football and deeply cares about kids. I still feel that way about him. If he hadn't lost that damn GA St. game I don't think there would be any doubt about him as the HC.
 
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#14
#14
VolNation's emotions are like choosing the direction of a rag blowing in the wind. I'm guilty of it - after Georgia State it was "here we go again". I'm also getting the feeling the rag has a fairly strong wind blowing in the right direction. Beat Vandy and a decent bowl is there. A good recruiting haul and we just might have something nice in the near future.


Cautious optimism, but it's already apparent that CJP has forgotten more about football than Butch ever knew. If he can translate that down to the players, and recruit, it's going to be good.
 
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#15
#15
A good portion of VN saw his talents last year. Some couldn't get passed the W/L record to see the team improved in effort. Only thing that kept us out of a bowl game last year was a few team members quit on him. JMO of course.
 
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#16
#16
vols 30 said:
Need to see more success. Remember, it wasn't that long ago that we were 1-4 with a couple embarrassing losses. Plus recruiting right now isn't exactly taking off.

Need to see some 9 and 10 win seasons before "I believe it"

We had these same type of threads early on with Butch
Click to expand...
To mention "Butch" in the same category as Pruitt is insane. You do know the 1-4 record is in the past. The present record is 6-5. Bowl Game!! 3rd place in the East. I doubt Butch's best team could beat this one. Which is likely to be Jeremy's 2nd worst team.
 
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#17
#17
GregAmsler said:
Coach Pruitt recognizing Missouri’s fake punt and screaming it out to his players wasn’t an isolated incident. I recall his recognition of Auburn’s offensive plays and calling certain blitzes to counter from the sidelines last year. And it made me think: when have we had a coach who was so talented at seeing the game in real time and playing it like a master of chess? Fulmer was a CEO type. Dooley...no. Butch...no. Kiffin would come closest, but on the offensive side of the ball.

Things just feel different with Pruitt. He has a great football mind. I’ve said since last year that he’s the best defensive mind on The Hill since Ken Donahue. On top of that, he’s a disciplinarian, but a player’s coach for whom players want to perform. He and His staff have obviously developed this roster, as well. He seems to have all the requisite skills to succeed.

I remember in the 90s wishing we had an X’s and O’s mind like Spurrier...a guy who gives you a tactical advantage every time out. That not only puts players in a better position to make plays, but it also creates a psychological advantage (which is really where Spurrier’s teams had Fulmer’s beat). I think we have that now, but on the defensive side of the ball.

This rebuild is still a work in progress. There are still a lot of mental mistakes to clean up. The talent still needs to improve. But we have our football coach. I’ve hoped that with the others. I believe it now. This just feels different.
Click to expand...
 
#18
#18
People talk about CJP grabbing players. If the players would man up, stop, look the coach in the eye and say yes sir I screwed up, he wouldn't have to grab them. They would rather walk away and sulk. I don't think his actions have been any more than, stop and listen to me.

I had basketball and football coaches at the elementary school level that did much worse. One basketball coach in particular chewed tobacco. He would give you a bath in tobacco spit when he would get in your face. He was my coach from 3rd grade through 7th or 8th. I always like playing for him.
 
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#19
#19
I would think there was a pretty good chance one of the coaches in the booth saw something and relayed it to Pruitt. If you've never been on a sideline, you might think you can see alot but its impossible almost to see alignments on the other half of the field.
 
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#20
#20
Old school hard nosed football coach that's honest with the Kids. He eats , sleeps and breaths it. Not a used car salesman like the previous coach.. Good turnaround but the jury is still out on Pruitt. Looking positive though. Has built a good defense in less than 2 years. That is impressive i will say. Shorthanded i might add. When he gets a full 85 it may be really good. I think much better days are ahead on Rocky Top. Should start being in the mix for the East soon.
 
#21
#21
beachmaster said:
A good portion of VN saw his talents last year. Some couldn't get passed the W/L record to see the team improved in effort. Only thing that kept us out of a bowl game last year was a few team members quit on him. JMO of course.
Click to expand...
I thought it was Vandy that kept us out. Kidding...sometimes progress isn't a straight line. After Auburn and KY wins, there was alot of chatter that Pruitt should be coach of year in SEC...then Miz and Vandy happened....then Ga St and BYU. Seems like he's got everyone on the same page now.
 
#22
#22
GregAmsler said:
Coach Pruitt recognizing Missouri’s fake punt and screaming it out to his players wasn’t an isolated incident. I recall his recognition of Auburn’s offensive plays and calling certain blitzes to counter from the sidelines last year. And it made me think: when have we had a coach who was so talented at seeing the game in real time and playing it like a master of chess? Fulmer was a CEO type. Dooley...no. Butch...no. Kiffin would come closest, but on the offensive side of the ball.

Things just feel different with Pruitt. He has a great football mind. I’ve said since last year that he’s the best defensive mind on The Hill since Ken Donahue. On top of that, he’s a disciplinarian, but a player’s coach for whom players want to perform. He and His staff have obviously developed this roster, as well. He seems to have all the requisite skills to succeed.

I remember in the 90s wishing we had an X’s and O’s mind like Spurrier...a guy who gives you a tactical advantage every time out. That not only puts players in a better position to make plays, but it also creates a psychological advantage (which is really where Spurrier’s teams had Fulmer’s beat). I think we have that now, but on the defensive side of the ball.

This rebuild is still a work in progress. There are still a lot of mental mistakes to clean up. The talent still needs to improve. But we have our football coach. I’ve hoped that with the others. I believe it now. This just feels different.
Click to expand...

Interesting because if I remember correctly, he came from Alabama as well.
 
#23
#23
JMSqb11 said:
We’ve won close games that we normally have lost.

One thing this team has done is made sure to have low scoring low margin victories. Pruitt’s team in SEC play has scored more than 24 points just twice I think. (Auburn and South Carolina)..... i love the gritty wins because defense is making stops and plays we aren’t used to seeing with Tennessee.
Click to expand...

This "defense first" philosophy will work most a lot of the time. But more and more you run up against a team with an offense (like OK. Baylor, etc.) that is nearly impossible to stop. (mainly because the rules are being slanted to more offense) not trying to pay the devils their due, but I think Bama, A barn, Clemson and now LSU have come to understand that this day and time a great defense is not enough. You must have a really good more or less wide open full throttle all the time offense. A point to support what I say the way Ga. is winning this year, mainly defense. How many think they can go all the way? Not many me thinks. I personally don't think they can get past LSU.
 
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#24
#24
BearBryant said:
To mention "Butch" in the same category as Pruitt is insane. You do know the 1-4 record is in the past. The present record is 6-5. Bowl Game!! 3rd place in the East. I doubt Butch's best team could beat this one. Which is likely to be Jeremy's 2nd worst team.
Click to expand...


Dobbs would cause them fits. Lets be real here. These arent very good teams Mizz, UAB & Ky) that Tennessee is beating in close games this year. Now, I think the talent is better than they are playing but facts are they are making too many careless and dumb mistakes to beat a good SEC team which is where the program needs to get to. JMO
 
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