UPDATED... Athletic Director hot board

[Khelton]

It probably won't be Blackburn. People hire in their own image. Davenport isn't from Tennessee, has no ties to Tennessee and probably doesn't understand the value of an AD having Tennessee ties.

 

[AstonRoyal]

My hope is she understands the unique institution UT is and can be. My fear is we get the "most qualified" with the list of qualifications missing ties to the university or community being on it or dubbed unimportant.

Our vote for Blackburn will at least get him into consideration. But it's up to him to ultimately prove to the UT leadership that he's the best person for the job. Just because the new Chancellor does not have ties to the university dorsnt mean she can't make a great AD hire, no matter who we end up going with.

 

[Orange&White]

The article that was posted earlier said she would probably hire the person suggested by the search firm and/or influential people in the administration. I don't think she will be trying to make this big of a decision on her own as the newly elected chancellor.

 

[BeecherVol]

The article that was posted earlier said she would probably hire the person suggested by the search firm and/or influential people in the administration. I don't think she will be trying to make this big of a decision on her own as the newly elected chancellor.

The "search firm and influential people" have done the leg work. This didn't start the other day.

 

[TNnative]

The problem I have with this is the focus on "football". An AD has to focus on what is good for ALL sports.

I know many on here like Blackburn but - UTC is NOT UTK ... stakes are much higher - scrutiny levels are much higher. There is not the same level of expectations for UTC. They are not yelling to fire coaches after every loss or bad game.

But if someone else is hired, fans are going to complain about where the AD went to school at each and every time he makes an unpopular decision. There were complaints about Dickey being a Florida guy, Hamilton being from Clemson, and how many times has someone griped about Bama Dave?

Scrutiny levels be damned. I say hire Blackburn. And if he screws up? We have nobody to blame but ourselves.

 

[VolunteerHillbilly]

You just made the point for Blackburn. His knowledge of UT and the success of coaches at UTC currently are unrivaled by the others mentioned. Just because an AD is at a big name school doesn't mean they will be successful here.

The point i made was that his job was a lot easier at UTC having arrived on the job a few months before the departure of two teams that had dominated the socon for many years. His job at UTK will not be that easy. Therefore I don't think you assume that success at UTC= success at UTK. I don't know who the actual candidates are but I'd like to think that we'll see who's out these before hiring the UTC guy.

 

[KBVol]

The problem I have with this is the focus on "football". An AD has to focus on what is good for ALL sports.

I know many on here like Blackburn but - UTC is NOT UTK ... stakes are much higher - scrutiny levels are much higher. There is not the same level of expectations for UTC. They are not yelling to fire coaches after every loss or bad game.

You're way off base here.

Blackburn grew up in the UTAD, he understands processes and expectations in Knoxville and he knows who the big money players are. He's gone on to run UTC's AD and has been wildly successful.

He's the right guy at the right time for the job.

 

[BeecherVol]

You're way off base here.

Blackburn grew up in the UTAD, he understands processes and expectations in Knoxville and he knows who the big money players are. He's gone on to run UTC's AD and has been wildly successful.

He's the right guy at the right time for the job.

And the people that matter hold this same opinion.

 

[GetEmVols]

Maybe we should let Butch Jones pick the AD. Need to make sure we get someone that can get along with the most winningest coach we have had this decade.

 

[Remy]

And the people that matter hold this same opinion.

Man I hope so, but I have a bad feeling this is going to be "a Donna Shalala" statement culture change hire. Make the rednecks understand there's a new sheriff in town thing going on, I really want to be wrong.

 

[BeecherVol]

Maybe we should let Butch Jones pick the AD. Need to make sure we get someone that can get along with the most winningest coach we have had this decade.

He had input.

Didn't work out.

 

[volfan102455]

The point i made was that his job was a lot easier at UTC having arrived on the job a few months before the departure of two teams that had dominated the socon for many years. His job at UTK will not be that easy. Therefore I don't think you assume that success at UTC= success at UTK. I don't know who the actual candidates are but I'd like to think that we'll see who's out these before hiring the UTC guy.

This and I agree. UTC has always had success is many sports. In fact, they have had much more success in men's basketball in the past than they have lately. They have always, even before Blackburn, had the knack of getting good coaches - I think that is more due to them being a good stepping stone (.. if they can win ...) to another job rather than the desire for a coach to necessarily be at UTC.

UT-Knoxville coaching positions should be destination jobs not stepping stone jobs to another university.

 

[orangeluvr]

I suspect she was the best candidate that emerged from the interview process.

I also feel that they probably wanted someone unconnected whatsoever to the happenings of the last year.

They may go the same route with the AD - time will tell.

People with a Tennessee pedigree would do what is in the best interest for Tennessee. The past ten years have made me leary of having outsiders in charge. Hire Blackburn.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

You're way off base here.

Blackburn grew up in the UTAD, he understands processes and expectations in Knoxville and he knows who the big money players are. He's gone on to run UTC's AD and has been wildly successful.

He's the right guy at the right time for the job.

I am glad we agree on something.

 

[volfan102455]

UTC was "wildly successful" before Blackburn was hired. Good grief.

Not saying he can't or won't do a good job if he secures the post in Knoxville, but the spin on him is ridiculous. UTC was and has never been unsuccessful.

 

[BeecherVol]

UTC was "wildly successful" before Blackburn was hired. Good grief.

Not saying he can't or won't do a good job if he secures the post in Knoxville, but the spin on him is ridiculous. UTC was and has never been unsuccessful.

Why did it need to be unsuccessful to validate his job there?

 

[KBVol]

UTC was "wildly successful" before Blackburn was hired. Good grief.

Not saying he can't or won't do a good job if he secures the post in Knoxville, but the spin on him is ridiculous. UTC was and has never been unsuccessful.

BS.

When was the last time UTC won a conference championship in football before Blackburn got there? Answer: 1984. They've won the SoCon title 3 years running since Blackburn was hired in 2013

Another question for you. In UTC's 100+ year history, how many times have they won conference titles in football, men's basketball and women's basketball in the same season? Answer: never.....before last year that is, in 2015-16 under Blackburn's leadership. I'm certain you're gonna say it was a coincidence....I obviously disagree.

Additionally, UTC also won titles in volleyball and wrestling, while leading the SoCon in attendance in football and men’s and women’s basketball for the second year in a row.

So keep dogging David, saying he's being over-hyped and, by extension, not up for the job in Knoxville. Those with one eye and a grain of sense are betting otherwise.

 

[Poppa T]

You're way off base here.

Blackburn grew up in the UTAD, he understands processes and expectations in Knoxville and he knows who the big money players are. He's gone on to run UTC's AD and has been wildly successful.

He's the right guy at the right time for the job.

Spot on. Blackburn has basically worked over the years to get the experience needed in preparation for this specific position. He truly has been working toward the long term goal of being the UTK AD.

 

[VOLINVONORE]

UTC was "wildly successful" before Blackburn was hired. Good grief.

Not saying he can't or won't do a good job if he secures the post in Knoxville, but the spin on him is ridiculous. UTC was and has never been unsuccessful.

They have a pretty good record in basketball. As the Lady Vols and the men’s team.

 

[ReaderVol]

Just curious. If we do get Blackburn as AD (and that's fine by me) and if UT has a great year in football. Will y'all give the credit to Blackburn LOL

 

[TNnative]

Just curious. If we do get Blackburn as AD (and that's fine by me) and if UT has a great year in football. Will y'all give the credit to Blackburn LOL

I don't know Blackburn personally. But I would hope, as one of our own, he would find a justifiable way to handle the media.

 

[BJWeeks]

Blackburn is about to do great things here in Knoxville. AD we have been wanting for 10 years

 

[CPA]

Tennessean is carrying article by Knoxville reporter that says when Board of Trustees meets in Nashville on Dec 15 and confirms Dr Davenport, she can then begin assembling her leadership team which includes AD. The reporter then cited an earlier interview with Blackburn and his interest in the position.

 

[***RoadVol***]

UTC football winning the conference is more due to the teams that left the conference. Sure they have improved but the conference is easier to win than it used to be.

 

[coffeevol]

UTC was "wildly successful" before Blackburn was hired. Good grief.

Not saying he can't or won't do a good job if he secures the post in Knoxville, but the spin on him is ridiculous. UTC was and has never been unsuccessful.

Conference championships
1977, 1978, 1979, 1984, 2013, 2014, 2015.

Playoff appearances

1984 First Round Arkansas State L 10–37

2014 Second Round Quarterfinals Indiana State
New Hampshire W 35–14
L 30–35

2015 First Round
Second Round Fordham
Jacksonville State W 50–20
L 35–41 OT

2016 First Round
Second Round Weber State
Sam Houston State W 45–14
12/3/16

Playoff Record 3–3




Thats a heck of a dry span between 1984 and 2013...calling them wildly successful is a stretch