Will Friend next OC if

I just now realized that Friend is actually now our highest paid coach on staff (with Helton gone).

He makes $805,000 which is more than 100k over what we pay our DC. I know KS is DC in name only, but I had no idea we were paying Friend Sam Pittman type $.

Might as well refresh ourselves on his bio:

-JP's college teammate at Bama

-UGA O Line coach for 4 years

-Line tied for 2nd in least sacks last season at CSU

-Carried title of OC and O Line coach at CSU, but did not call plays

-Was highest paid group of 5 assistants at CSU at $525k.
 
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Fulmer loves TN, I don't think anyone can deny that. Pruitt is under immense pressure to be successful. I don't think you see a Friend promotion, too much pressure with how the O-line performed. Pruitt was embarrassed most the season. I don't think for one minute he forgets that feeling and hires an unproven coach. He's never been involved in a program this bad. Also, I think the decision is made quickly, you can't have recruits asking questions and not being able to answer who and when. These coaches in place weigh heavily on the mind of recruits. I hate not having stability, hope the position is named quickly. For the record, I don't think it's Freeze, or Peyton, hope it's not Friend.
 
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We all know Friend is the next OC.

Shut the speculation threads down. Save your energy. Just let the reality set in.

Everyone on this site who has been through all the coaching searches knows in their hearts, deep down inside, how this ends.

It ends with a huge thud.....

If TN does one thing well anymore it has perfected the art of underwhelming.

So let’s all give a big cheer for our new OC Friend.

Hip hip hoo.....aw screw it!
Pretty much.
 
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A huge amount, though there are other factors and this is a false dichotomy.

Every fan with half a brain knew in the Spring this team would have 2 serious issues - OL and CBs. Well, both got beat up this season, surprise surprise. Worst yet, the OL lost both Kennedy and then Smith. This after a DISASTROUS 2017 OL...that went on to, at some point, lose or graduate Jones, Kendrick, Thomas, Boulware. Then they switch philosophies...good god! Butch linemen trying to play bully ball after missing years of legitimate and consistent S&C and OL coaching.

Wow. Better blame that single position coach that had 8 months to turn our known worst position group into a juggernaut LMFAO. You girls are incredible with both your lack of knowledge of "your team" and a lack of basic logic.


No one asked for a juggernaut. BUt we do ask they know their assignments by game 12. Defending a guy whose position group still didnt know WHO to block in the last game of the season makes one look sort of foolish. Kind of like the big mouthed wife of our buddy who has no clue about football but loves her some of the new coach.

Just saying...
 
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Gut tells me it will be someone external. CJP needs to make a statement with this hire. If I was the parent of a recruit and Pruitt promoted from within, I would perceive that as more of the same. I sure hope he brings in fresh blood.
 
Will Friend would be the odds on favorite to be OC if Helton goes to WKU.. Weinke to QBs coach and then someone either promoted up or brought in for RBs.. JMO but it makes sense..


Sounds about right, this will keep the Vols where they are currently, in the cellar
 
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That would be such a Butch Jones move. Pruitt needs to hire a legit proven OC. It’s not rocket science.
You could say that would be such a Fulmer, Dooley, and Jones move. I hope they look back before deciding. You put in an OC learning on the job with us in our current state and we are in BIG trouble.
 
You may want to go check his Colorido State offensive coordinator stats. I have to admit I was suprised myself at the numbers. I won't be suprised if this is the direction Coach Pruitt goes.
 
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I think it has to do with players more than this hire. I dont think butch jones recruited OL or DL good at all. Barnett was the only DL he ever recruited worth anything. Pruitt's time here will be dictated more on how he recruits line of scrimmage. We will not win until both lines are alot better. No offensive or defensive coordinator will be any good at Tennessee as long as those 2 position groups are as bad as they are, period.
 
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You may want to go check his Colorido State offensive coordinator stats. I have to admit I was suprised myself at the numbers. I won't be suprised if this is the direction Coach Pruitt goes.
Fans always want a sexy hire, but there are a number of reasons that this move would make sense.
 
If he hires Friend I will officially go ahead and move from "wait and see" to "not the guy". To hell with question marks, let's open up that pocketbook and pay some proven coaches to come here.
 
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