All schools take their lumps, were still taking ours like some others such as Notre Dame, Michigan, Miami, we'll be back someday but im tired of waiting too.[/QUOTE
I'm afraid I won't see that day at the rate they are going. 15+ years, 4 coaches, and an infinity of excuses later and we still have no clue how to win. I lived through the 90's during our great years and we were a team that was feared. HS kids knew who TN was and wanted to be a part of that but not so much now. We are just another middle of the road school with a dedicated fanbase and awesome campus. I'm not sure we can sell the "winning tradition" anymore and the "power T" doesn't mean near as much to kids now as it does to the older generation.
We have losing records against Bama, Auburn, Florida and Georgia. No longer elite, or a tier 1 program. Not even a tier 2 program, consistently.Take Neyland and Fulmer out of the equation and the vols are an average team. 1998 was 22 years ago. We make fun of UGA and 1980, 40 years ago, historically we are average without two all time great coaches and those of us spending our adolescent years during the golden era of modern vols football 90-03-ish.....we were spoiled with false expectations. Unless we stumble into a Hall of Fame coach I am not sure we ever get there again in the next 10+ years. I know I must be great at parties. Take the wins and take the losses as they come and if good times come make sure to enjoy while they last. Sorry Mr. Positive here but man been a long 15 years.