They got what they got, like it or not. The truth is, you cannot go out and get the cream of the crop when you are a new coach that has not been a proven winner on the national stage (SEC) at a school that has been losing no matter how much time you have. Coach Jones has and staff will be challenged to whip this class into something that is capable of competing and putting together game plans that give them an edge to win. Once he shows he is capable of coaching at this level and winning at this level, the cream will want to be at Tennessee because their facilities are second to none. Geographically, Florida will always have an edge due to the climate and bikini clad coeds, but Tennessee has a known brand and a history that is top shelf.
Dooley recruited some good athletes so the cubbard isn't totally bare. Dooley's failings were his inability to get the team to pull together under adversity, instill an expectation and culture of winning, and actually coach during the game. He blew several key game time decisions that cost us wins. Still, he brought in some talent and his coaches developed them.
One thing that has hurt Tennessee during the last four years is the lack of a go to kicker. Hopefully, Jones has that deficiency on his radar. Not many kickers get a scholarship until the prove they can get the job done so I wasn't surprised that we didn't offer up a scholarship to one, but that needs to be a top priority if we want to win close games.
All in all, I am neither disappointed nor elated. Until we start winning SEC games again, the expectations age going to be about improving, not winning championships. Don't get me wrong, I know a ring is the goal, but be realistic, we gotta beat the Vandys and Mississippi States before we can compete with Bama and Florida. It's tough to admit that we are in the cellar, but look at our record. As Bones would say "Numbers don't tell lies".
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Harleydls writes:
They got what they got, like it or not. The truth is, you cannot go out and get the cream of the crop when you are a new coach that has not been a proven winner on the national stage (SEC) at a school that has been losing no matter how much time you have. Coach Jones has and staff will be challenged to whip this class into something that is capable of competing and putting together game plans that give them an edge to win. Once he shows he is capable of coaching at this level and winning at this level, the cream will want to be at Tennessee because their facilities are second to none. Geographically, Florida will always have an edge due to the climate and bikini clad coeds, but Tennessee has a known brand and a history that is top shelf.
Dooley recruited some good athletes so the cubbard isn't totally bare. Dooley's failings were his inability to get the team to pull together under adversity, instill an expectation and culture of winning, and actually coach during the game. He blew several key game time decisions that cost us wins. Still, he brought in some talent and his coaches developed them.
One thing that has hurt Tennessee during the last four years is the lack of a go to kicker. Hopefully, Jones has that deficiency on his radar. Not many kickers get a scholarship until the prove they can get the job done so I wasn't surprised that we didn't offer up a scholarship to one, but that needs to be a top priority if we want to win close games.
All in all, I am neither disappointed nor elated. Until we start winning SEC games again, the expectations age going to be about improving, not winning championships. Don't get me wrong, I know a ring is the goal, but be realistic, we gotta beat the Vandys and Mississippi States before we can compete with Bama and Florida. It's tough to admit that we are in the cellar, but look at our record. As Bones would say "Numbers don't tell lies".
Share your thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. You agree not to post comments that are off topic, defamatory, obscene, abusive, threatening or an invasion of privacy. Violators may be banned. Click here for our full user agreement.