Vehemently disagreeing w/ Chris Low's comments & Anyone else

[VolnTEARS?]

At espn.com Chris Low writes:

For one, it's not the easiest job in the SEC. Alabama, Florida, Georgia and LSU are all better jobs. There's not a natural recruiting base in the state of Tennessee, which means you have to be able to recruiting nationally to win here.
The Pearl mold (at least the football version) may be the way Hamilton decides to go. He will use a search firm to aid him in the whole process.
Some of the names likely to be on Tennessee's list include former Raiders coach Lane Kiffin, Texas defensive coordinator Will Muschamp, Wake Forest coach Jim Grobe, Minnesota coach Tim Brewster, Texas Tech coach Mike Leach, TCU coach Gary Patterson, Cincinnati coach Brian Kelly, Florida offensive coordinator Dan Mullen and Illinois offensive coordinator Mike Locksley.

I'd like to express my disagreement with Chris Low. Unfortunately, I don't get to do it with a big article at ESPN so I'll do it here.

He states that Alabama, Florida, Georgia and LSU are all better jobs and makes the point that since Tennessee does not have a recruiting base they have to recruit nationally.

I say....SO WHAT'S YOUR POINT?

Does Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and Florida not recruit nationally? Give me a break. Surely, not as much but, again, SO WHAT'S YOUR POINT?

I'll defend our house against Chris Low's comments and anyone else who is trying to make out like Tennessee is some job nobody should want........unless they enjoy losing.

Did they say to Urban Meyer when he jumped on board, "Hey best of luck to ya buddy.......but don't expect much 'cause you're gonna have to play Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU."

Heaven's to Betsy......whoever gets the Tennessee job is going to have to compete against Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and LSU! Woe is us. Grab the kids and git in the cellar.

So what that we play them? Anybody that comes to Tennessee better WANT to compete against Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and LSU.

Chris Low makes it sound like our expectations are too high to think that pitiful ole Tennessee should think itself lofty enough to compete with such powerhouses who just get to pull as many 5 star recruits out of the cupboard as they need when they need 'em.

I say we'll be TAKING those 5 star recruits if Hamilton lands us a football coachin' Bruce Pearl.

Whoever thinks Tennessee shouldn't be competing for a National Championship and be contending for a top 10 ranking year in and year out is smoking weed when considering all the University has to offer and the rich tradition that it's established in college football.

In my opinion Tennessee is one of ( at LEAST ) the top 15 college coaching jobs in the country and in all honesty I'd say top 10!


Consider......

*What follows is the list of the 10 winningest programs in the history of the game, ranked by total wins. The list is current through the end of the 2007 season.
1. Michigan: 869-286-36
2. Notre Dame: 824-278-42
3. Texas: 823-313-33
4. Nebraska: 815-333-40
5. Ohio State: 797-304-52
6. Penn State 789-347-42
7. Alabama: 787-314-43
8. Tennessee: 778-326-55
9. Oklahoma: 777-297-53
10. USC: 754-303-54

Where's LSU? Where's Georgia? Where's Florida?

Gosh darn and kick my chicken ole Rocky Top hasn't done too badly considerin we's aint got no boys in our neck of the woods that can play.

Now get us the kind of coach we need and let's get to kickin some gator, elephant, tiger, and bulldog backside!

*source: Winningest College Football Programs - The 10 Winningest Programs in College Football History

 

[jakez4ut]

Tennessee not having a great instate talent pool compared to GA, FL or LA isn't new news, and it is a factor any coach would have to consider. the next coach will simply have to LOVE recruiting.....

 

[Cartervol]

I maybe wrong, but a high profile name at a university such as tennessee will just about sell itself to recruits.

 

[vtvol98]

The prospective recruits could probably feel the Big Orange love oozing from every pore of Phil Fulmer's skin. He loved Tennessee and knew its history and tradition better than most. He could probably relate this to just about any recruit in America. He was genuine in his passion for Tennessee and I'm sure that passion swyed more than just a few recruits nationally to play for Tennessee.

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

LSU just became a better job in the past 7 years. In the 1980's and 90's, they could only attract the likes of Gerry DiNardo and Curley Hallman.

Winning has a way of raising a school in the rankings.

 

[Vol on the Rocks]

I maybe wrong, but a high profile name at a university such as tennessee will just about sell itself to recruits.

I think you're wrong on this. Think about it. The last time TN was competing for a nation title, the recruits were 8 years old! They have grown up seeing FL, GA, LSU, Auburn, & now Bama as the teams in the spotlight. We better get a strong recruiter or our talent level will continue to erode.

 

[karmazone]

I'd like to express my disagreement with Chris Low. Unfortunately, I don't get to do it with a big article at ESPN so I'll do it here.


Does Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and Florida not recruit nationally? Give me a break. Surely, not as much but, again, SO WHAT'S YOUR POINT?

*sigh* Calm down. They are better jobs because their facilities are just as good and they don't have to leave their backyards to get the good recruits. Take a look at their incoming class and I am willing to bet that they have lots of 4 and 5 star recruits that come form their home states (counting Texas for LSU because of it's proximity). And where do UT's big recruits come form? Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, Florida, and California (before Nunes de-committed). Where did a lot of our big stars in the 90's and early 00's come from? Louisiana, Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, California, Florida... It just makes sense to say that those are easier jobs right now because the talent is all around them. He's not saying that UT is a horrible job. He's just comparing it to the other SEC big boys.

 

[JMBIGORANGE]

I maybe wrong, but a high profile name at a university such as tennessee will just about sell itself to recruits.

You're not wrong. I'd say you're dead on.

 

[Cartervol]

You're not wrong. I'd say you're dead on.

You have too have something to sell them. I think with our tradition and facility's that are second to none. I don't see recruits going cold on us. I got to give phil is due as a recruiter, but i think someone else could do just as good a job given the resources that were provided to fulmer.
Largest recruiting budget in the nation gets you some recruits, think about it.

 

[armchairvol]

LSU just became a better job in the past 7 years. In the 1980's and 90's, they could only attract the likes of Gerry DiNardo and Curley Hallman.

Winning has a way of raising a school in the rankings.

win, recruits follow. Lsu was in the toilet for 15 years--they were terrible! Why: They had bad coaches. When they got better coaches, they won. UT is the same.

 

[IPorange]

LSU just became a better job in the past 7 years. In the 1980's and 90's, they could only attract the likes of Gerry DiNardo and Curley Hallman.

Winning has a way of raising a school in the rankings.

It is weird how many people don't seem to notice that trend. Winning attracts winning players that win games which helps in attracting winning coaches which win games which attract winning players that....

 

[therickbol]

Simply put, OP, you are wrong. LSU, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida are in fact all better jobs than UT. The only way anybody can disagree with that is if they let their bias as a UT fan get in the way of their judgement.

 

[Cod]

Just more ESPN hatin on UT..... they've done it for years and will continue to do so....doesn't bother me anymore.

 

[allvol]

At espn.com Chris Low writes:


I'd like to express my disagreement with Chris Low. Unfortunately, I don't get to do it with a big article at ESPN so I'll do it here.

He states that Alabama, Florida, Georgia and LSU are all better jobs and makes the point that since Tennessee does not have a recruiting base they have to recruit nationally.

I say....SO WHAT'S YOUR POINT?

Does Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and Florida not recruit nationally? Give me a break. Surely, not as much but, again, SO WHAT'S YOUR POINT?

I'll defend our house against Chris Low's comments and anyone else who is trying to make out like Tennessee is some job nobody should want........unless they enjoy losing.

Did they say to Urban Meyer when he jumped on board, "Hey best of luck to ya buddy.......but don't expect much 'cause you're gonna have to play Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU."

Heaven's to Betsy......whoever gets the Tennessee job is going to have to compete against Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and LSU! Woe is us. Grab the kids and git in the cellar.

So what that we play them? Anybody that comes to Tennessee better WANT to compete against Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and LSU.

Chris Low makes it sound like our expectations are too high to think that pitiful ole Tennessee should think itself lofty enough to compete with such powerhouses who just get to pull as many 5 star recruits out of the cupboard as they need when they need 'em.

I say we'll be TAKING those 5 star recruits if Hamilton lands us a football coachin' Bruce Pearl.

Whoever thinks Tennessee shouldn't be competing for a National Championship and be contending for a top 10 ranking year in and year out is smoking weed when considering all the University has to offer and the rich tradition that it's established in college football.

In my opinion Tennessee is one of ( at LEAST ) the top 15 college coaching jobs in the country and in all honesty I'd say top 10!


Consider......

*What follows is the list of the 10 winningest programs in the history of the game, ranked by total wins. The list is current through the end of the 2007 season.
1. Michigan: 869-286-36
2. Notre Dame: 824-278-42
3. Texas: 823-313-33
4. Nebraska: 815-333-40
5. Ohio State: 797-304-52
6. Penn State 789-347-42
7. Alabama: 787-314-43
8. Tennessee: 778-326-55
9. Oklahoma: 777-297-53
10. USC: 754-303-54

Where's LSU? Where's Georgia? Where's Florida?

Gosh darn and kick my chicken ole Rocky Top hasn't done too badly considerin we's aint got no boys in our neck of the woods that can play.

Now get us the kind of coach we need and let's get to kickin some gator, elephant, tiger, and bulldog backside!

*source: Winningest College Football Programs - The 10 Winningest Programs in College Football History

:good!:nice post

 

[allvol]

Simply put, OP, you are wrong. LSU, Georgia, Alabama, and Florida are in fact all better jobs than UT. The only way anybody can disagree with that is if they let their bias as a UT fan get in the way of their judgement.

Of the 4 teams you mentioned, only 1 (Alabama) has an all-time winning record against Tennessee. None of them have as big a stadium. None of them have facilities as good as Tennessee. You'll have to do more convincing than just this year's records to make your comparison.

 

[volswin08]

At espn.com Chris Low writes:


I'd like to express my disagreement with Chris Low. Unfortunately, I don't get to do it with a big article at ESPN so I'll do it here.

He states that Alabama, Florida, Georgia and LSU are all better jobs and makes the point that since Tennessee does not have a recruiting base they have to recruit nationally.

I say....SO WHAT'S YOUR POINT?

Does Alabama, LSU, Georgia, and Florida not recruit nationally? Give me a break. Surely, not as much but, again, SO WHAT'S YOUR POINT?

I'll defend our house against Chris Low's comments and anyone else who is trying to make out like Tennessee is some job nobody should want........unless they enjoy losing.

Did they say to Urban Meyer when he jumped on board, "Hey best of luck to ya buddy.......but don't expect much 'cause you're gonna have to play Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and LSU."

Heaven's to Betsy......whoever gets the Tennessee job is going to have to compete against Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and LSU! Woe is us. Grab the kids and git in the cellar.

So what that we play them? Anybody that comes to Tennessee better WANT to compete against Alabama, Georgia, Florida, and LSU.

Chris Low makes it sound like our expectations are too high to think that pitiful ole Tennessee should think itself lofty enough to compete with such powerhouses who just get to pull as many 5 star recruits out of the cupboard as they need when they need 'em.

I say we'll be TAKING those 5 star recruits if Hamilton lands us a football coachin' Bruce Pearl.

Whoever thinks Tennessee shouldn't be competing for a National Championship and be contending for a top 10 ranking year in and year out is smoking weed when considering all the University has to offer and the rich tradition that it's established in college football.

In my opinion Tennessee is one of ( at LEAST ) the top 15 college coaching jobs in the country and in all honesty I'd say top 10!


Consider......

*What follows is the list of the 10 winningest programs in the history of the game, ranked by total wins. The list is current through the end of the 2007 season.
1. Michigan: 869-286-36
2. Notre Dame: 824-278-42
3. Texas: 823-313-33
4. Nebraska: 815-333-40
5. Ohio State: 797-304-52
6. Penn State 789-347-42
7. Alabama: 787-314-43
8. Tennessee: 778-326-55
9. Oklahoma: 777-297-53
10. USC: 754-303-54

Where's LSU? Where's Georgia? Where's Florida?

Gosh darn and kick my chicken ole Rocky Top hasn't done too badly considerin we's aint got no boys in our neck of the woods that can play.

Now get us the kind of coach we need and let's get to kickin some gator, elephant, tiger, and bulldog backside!

*source: Winningest College Football Programs - The 10 Winningest Programs in College Football History

You can't have your cake and eat it also...which way do you want to argue..."What have you done for me lately"...or "We have a winning tradition"?

 

[therickbol]

Oh, so as a coach the "all-time winning record" is going to affect my job quality? The "all-time winning record" is going to mean something to the kids I recruit? Nope. General Neyland and his accomplishments at UT dont mean much at all to a coach from outside the UT family and it definately does not mean anything to an 18 year old kid picking what college to play for. And, our facilities continue to get overrated. They are very good, no doubt. But every school on that list has comparable facilities to UT.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Our crummy in-state base makes the UT job less attractive on paper than other jobs in the SEC. No doubt.

But any good candidate should be good enough that that won't matter to him. Anybody worried about recruiting to UT wouldn't be a good fit anyway.

 

[justingroves]

If a coach can travel 100 miles from campus and find all kinds of talent waiting to play for him, it makes the job a lot easier.

Recruiting is a year long job. If you're flying all over the country to get kids to come play for you, it makes the job harder.

All-time winning records, past coaches etc don't mean a damn thing.

 

[g8terh8ter_eric]

Coaching positions in college football are basically only as good as your in-state talent first and then your ability to pull recruits nationally. If your state doesn't have a lot of in-state talent then you have to be able to go outside the borders to get kids in your program, hence the highest recruiting budget in the nation here at UT. The thing is most of the in-state schools in the areas where the best players are (Texas, Cali, Florida, Georgia) have programs that are winning on a national level and that directly impacts recruits leaving the state. So recruiting has to do with winning on a national level for an extended period and the coaching jobs that are in that state are directly effected as far as being highly rated. So yes, the schools that Chris Low mentioned are definitely easier to recruit at, but I would be willing to venture that UT has the best facilities in the Southeast and possibly the nation. Plus, Knoxville is a decent size city with a small town charm (most of the time) so that helps as well. UT is definitely gonna need someone that can lock down the in-state that's worth a damn first, then bring in the out of state players to complete the team. I like Tim Brewster in that aspect then, then man CAN and DOES recruit well instate and nationally. Lane Kiffin is another one in that aspect that does well recruiting in both places, the thing is I think that the in-state talent of cali may have made him look better than advertised.

 

[cotton]

Whoever thinks Tennessee shouldn't be competing for a National Championship and be contending for a top 10 ranking year in and year out is smoking weed when considering all the University has to offer and the rich tradition that it's established in college football.

When, in UT's history, has it been competing for a National Championship year in and year out? There were a half-dozen years in the '90s, and a couple of brief periods in the '30s and 50s, but the dominance you invision has never been accomplished on the Hill, under Neyland or Fulmer or Majors or Dickey.

Tennessee is a top 15 job; that means there are 14 other jobs that are similar in quality or better. About 5 of them happen to be in our own conference, and each of them has a stronger recruiting base than Tennessee. It isn't really bashing UT for Low to point that out.

Of the 4 teams you mentioned, only 1 (Alabama) has an all-time winning record against Tennessee. None of them have as big a stadium. None of them have facilities as good as Tennessee. You'll have to do more convincing than just this year's records to make your comparison.

Three of the four have pretty well dominated us recently. At this point, trend is more significant than all-time winning records because trend is what the new coach will have to addressed. We don't get to play Florida of the 1970s or LSU of the 80s or Alabama of 2001 anymore. It is a rough neighborhood.