Nothing disrupts a recruiting class like coaching changes.
Want proof? Keep reading.
Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe’s departure from Tennessee to Duke has seriously damaged the Vols’ chances to land elite quarterback Terrelle Pryor from Jeannette (Pa.) High School.
“Tennessee is still in the mix, but on the back burner,” Jeannette coach Ray Reitz told the News Sentinel on Sunday. “They were moving close to No. 1 with Cutcliffe there. He (Pryor) had a good relationship with Cutcliffe. There was a lot of interest in Tennessee.”
With less than two months until national signing day, the Vols have some serious ground to make up to be serious players in the Pryor chase again. It was Cutcliffe’s experience with Peyton and Eli Manning that drew Pryor to the Vols.
“That’s one of the reasons he wanted to go there and learn from him,” Reitz said. “… He liked Coach (Phillip) Fulmer, but Coach Cutcliffe’s pedigree was big.”
Pryor also downgraded West Virginia on Sunday, Reitz said, because former Mountaineers coach Rich Rodriquez is headed to Michigan. Now, Reitz said he expects Pryor to take a hard look at Michigan, and consider Florida and Ohio State.
But as for the Vols, Reitz added, “It’s not what Tennessee did, it’s just losing Cutcliffe at his position. He wanted to learn from Coach Cutcliffe.”
Quarterback Casey Kelly from Sarasota (Fla.) High School said he will not completely eliminate UT, but the damage has been done.
“Tennessee was kind of my No. 1,” said Kelly, who also is considering North Carolina, Arizona State, N.C. State and Oregon. “Now it kind of opens everything back up again.”
Less than a week ago, Cutcliffe seemed unsure if quarterback Sean Renfree from Notre Dame Prep in Scottsdale, Ariz., was Vol worthy. Renfree said early last week that Cutcliffe wasn’t ready to offer a scholarship to UT and was still evaluating Renfree. There’s no such deliberation at Duke.
“He called me within a couple of hours when he took the job and offered me a scholarship to come to Duke,” Renfree said.
Renfree seemed hesitant to enter a rebuilding situation, which will be the case at Duke. Still, Cutcliffe made a strong pitch.
“He said he can assure me he’ll have one of the best (coaching staffs) in the nation,” Renfree said. “He mentioned a couple of pro guys are going to be on the staff but I don’t remember any names or specifics.”
Renfree said he’s unsure if the Vols will continue to pursue him.
“I don’t know if they’ll follow through and stick with me or if Coach Cutcliffe will just try get me to go to Duke,” Renfree said. “I’d definitely still consider Tennessee. I love that school. Coach Fulmer is one of the best coaches in the country and it’s still one of best schools in the SEC.”
Before Cutcliffe bolted for Duke, UT’s class was already in a tenuous position. With approximately a dozen commitments, the Vols had a strong base but needed to double the class with a strong finish to garner national acclaim.
That base, which is built mostly on in-state players, may be more important than ever. A trio of UT prospects was asked their thoughts on Cutcliffe’s departure following Saturday’s inaugural Toyota East vs. West All-Star Classic at Carson-Newman College.
“I’m still going to go to Tennessee,” Smyrna receiver Rod Wilks said. “I wish I would have gotten to play for him; Cutcliffe is a real cool guy and a great person.
“He’s going to be OK at Duke. He’s going to take Duke a long ways. I believe in him, but I also believe in Tennessee. I stand by my decision.”
Maryville tight end/defensive end Aaron Douglas echoed Wilks’ sentiment.
“Coach Cut, he’s just making the best decision for him,” Douglas said. “I know UT will get someone in there that can run the offense.”
The NCAA-mandated dead period begins today, meaning coaches can’t initiate contact with prospects until Jan. 1. If prospects are concerned about the direction of UT’s offense, they can call. UT’s coaches can’t call them.
And as if the Cutcliffe loss isn’t tough enough to overcome, the Vols also could lose one of their best recruiters. Receivers coach Trooper Taylor was in Waco, Texas, interviewing for the Baylor offensive coordinator job Sunday. Talks will continue today.
If he receives the Baylor offer and is passed over for the same position at UT, expect Taylor to be headed home to Texas. And the Vols to be facing yet another major disruption while trying to assemble their 2008 class.
Dave Hooker covers recruiting. He may be reached at hookerd@knews.com.
Jesse Smithey and Josh Ward contributed to this report.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
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Comments » 81
dfreeman writes:
Wow so Cut told the qb recruit that he wouldn't offer last week until he evaluated him. Now that he has excepted Duke he immediately offers the kid a scholarship!! So he's been coaching UT for the last two weeks with knowledge that he's going to Durham, and he has been kinda screwing with us the whole time!!
FWBVol writes:
If the Renfree kid is on the up and up with what Cutcliffe told him I do have some concerns. I don't want to accuse David Cutcliffe of doing anything wrong until all the facts are in, but if Cutcliffe is recruiting a kid for Duke that he was recruiting for UT and Duke had not expressed previous interest in the kid something isn't kosher. I would be extremely disappointed if that were the case.
If the kid initiates the conversation about Duke that's something completely different. I understand David Cutcliffe has a job to do in building a solid program at Duke.
All of this points to the fact that Phillip Fulmer must hire a new Offensive Coordinator with strong credentials ASAP so he can put out some negative fires and start some positive ones.
gohawks1 writes:
That doesn't look too good, does it?
TommyJack writes:
Something ain't right here...
vol52 writes:
Cut need to come clean!
oasis3#214380 writes:
I just think Cut wasn't sure the kid was good enogh to play at UT but that he is good enough to play at Duke. Different level of players at each school.
TommyJack writes:
oasis3: Talk about benefit of the doubt....wow.
wisonsinvol writes:
Guys, don't judge too quickly. It makes sense to me. We have a couple of really good QB's on the bench. A couple of more top flight guys in consideration - although they may be faltering now. Renfree could have been a fifth QB in the stable and third in this class - which makes sense that Cut would say we are still evaluating. It's only fair to the kid to begin with which is why Duke wanted Cut - integrity and class. ON the other hand, Duke probably doesn't have a QB on their team as capable as Renfree, much less the two we have and the other two leading QB recruits. It's a good move by Cut and not underhanded at all from my perspective.
burntorangeVOLffle writes:
As close as Phil and Cut are as friends off the field I sincerely doubt Cut has been screwing over the program the past two weeks. He probably didn’t think the kid is good enough for TN but does think he's good enough for Duke.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
TJ, stay the course.
invisiblekid writes:
Easy fellas, seems to me that it's simply a matter of Renfree being the third choice behind Pryor and Kelly. Cutcliffe knows the first two guys won't consider Durham so he took a chance on calling number 3. It may not be right, but I am betting that every recruit that Cutcliffe had contact with while employed by UT will be getting a call from him, at least the ones he thinks he has a shot at. It does illustrate in part why myself and plenty of others think it would be best for someone else to go ahead and take over the offense though. The quicker Fulmer ends the speculation, the better, especially with the possibility of Taylor leaving soon.
texan writes:
Guys come on. This is the nature of the coaching profession. If you need any proof just read what happened in the last week. If that's not enough just switch gears and go back to a year ago and read the WV coach's promises to his alma mater. Dollars run the show not morality or loyalty. Cut's just earning his salary. On the other hand, he is still a coach at UT isn't he? So why is he recruiting for Duke on our dime? Ask Mikey and Phil. Bet ya don't get a straight answer. Yea, stay the course.
invisiblekid writes:
To add to the point I believe Wisconsinvol is making, the Vols already have 3 QB's on the roster: Crompton, Coleman, and Stephens. It's not like they were needing to make a huge push for multiple QB's at this point unless they thought they could land one the caliber of Pryor.
DenmarkVol_aka_Mbumburu writes:
Any QB prospect(s) that we may lose because of Cut leaving would me more than offset by the recruits -- from all positions, across the board -- we would gain with Kippy Brown as OC.
What 17-year-old four- or five-star recruit wouldn't want to come play for an NFL coach who's coached ProBowlers?
vol98 writes:
you guys are kidding right? All this means is that the kid may not be good enough for UT, but with Duke's rep, it is a no brainer for him to be offerred at Duke. Talk about reading too much into something. I also do think Cut should move on. I mean Fulmer was/is and OC. We don't need Cut to play one game, i think it would be best for all.
99gator writes:
not good enough for tenn....
this kid is only built up as the best prospect in the country. i would think that would make him plenty good enough for tenn. but, i am not on the staff or am their recruiting coord
philfan writes:
I do not make too much of this theory that a coaching change can have disastrous effects on recruiting. The University of Southern California underwent major changes in the coaching staff a few years ago after the national championship yet USC remains strong. With his skills and reputation, it was just a matter of time Cutcliffe became a head coach. Tennessee will also remain a major powerhouse. I do think though that it is important to win big (like 40 to 10)on January and then announce a well-known and talented man as the next offensive coordinator.
jobrando#216494 writes:
Cut should leave before the bowl game and let Coach Phil be totally responsible for the outcome. If Vols do not win then much more Phil bashing ahead. I would be amazed if he survives another bowl disaster
texan writes:
Kippy Brown maybe. He had David Carr here in Houston and they dinked and danked their way to nowhere. (see David Carr) But maybe he is a college coach. Now that he is a vested coach in the NFL he has no financial worries. That is what scares me. He can take chances without worrying about the consequences.
99gator writes:
sorry, misread the article. renfree instead of pryor
dfreeman writes:
I think something is going to hit the fan when this is all said and done!! Pryor is history... his mother stated that much in the Pennsylvania newspaper!! Renfree is a *** according to rivals, but @ 6'3 201 and a forty time of 4.5 he doesn't sound that bad on paper! Within a couple of hours after accepting the job and he's offering this kid?? That's sounds a little like he really wants this kid! I just think there is something to this if someone wants to dig a little!!
agentorange writes:
"Offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe’s departure from Tennessee to Duke has seriously damaged"
"With less than two months until national signing day, the Vols have some serious ground to make up to be serious players in"
Seriously Hooker, buy a thesarus. Your writing sucks.
splinterdand#602266 writes:
Cutcliffe=overrated. The Mannings would make any offensive coordinator look good.
eb502us#225637 writes:
Do we really need a QB in this class? We have Crompton, Stephens and Coleman, all of which I've heard good things about.
As for Trooper, I rather him leave for Baylor than to be given the OC job. What on his resume makes everyone think he'll be a great coordinator? We need some new blood, period!!
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Vol98 is right--there's nothing shady about Coach Cut telling a kid he's not "Vol worthy" and then offering him a scholarship to Duke. There's a HUUUUUGE difference between a UT qb and a Duke qb.
What do folks in K-town think about Coach Fulmer's raise & extension now that Coach Cut and Trooper might be gone? Looks like it sorta changes things. This is one reason why raises and extensions should never be talked about until AFTER a bowl game!
mdclemmo writes:
I think that Cutcliffe should pack his bags!You can't coach Tennessee offence and coach at Duke.
How can he have the best in mind for Tennessee. When he's calling recruits.
invisiblekid writes:
"Do we really need a QB in this class? We have Crompton, Stephens and Coleman, all of which I've heard good things about." Excellent point if I do say so myself eb502us.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
dfreeman, interesting post - Cut would be hard pressed not to be looking out for his future but recruiting ethics (is there any?) could be in play. Maybe CPF told Cut he had enough QBs in house and opened the gate. It could be interesting.
MANVOL writes:
He must leave. Phil do the right thing and say thank you for your services and send him on his way. It's a built in excuse for you if we lose to Wisconsin, " well heck we lost our OC and it effected us."
cdldoc#211897 writes:
He is Coaching UT for a bowl game and recruiting for Duke. Time to resign or be fired TOMORROW, Cut. I really don't care if he takes the kid, but he should wait until he is clear of this team. He was just to eager to recruit for Duke while UT paid him. I am surprised.
james#216392 writes:
It could be with 3 QB's already, we only needed another one if he was the right one. The first two guys were the right ones but we may not need a 5th or 6th should one or both chose TN. If you offer the lesser guy a ride and he takes it, it could cause you to be over-recruited" in that position should the other guys also come in. So you string along the 3rd guy hoping to get the 1 or 2. If that fails, you then take the 3rd guy. I don't think it was a matter of whether he was good enough, the Vols didn't need 6 QB's and the other two were rated better and had TN high on their list. I don't think he has done nothing wrong. Good luck at DUKE.
objk1#231846 writes:
This whole situation reminds me of Majors/Fulmer.
Cut convinced Archie that he can make both of his sons NFL QB's. Tough Call.
I don't envy Hamilton right now.
dallasdog1 writes:
So let me get this straight. You guys think this was like the Chris Leak of 2008 class.....and cutcliffe didnt offer from UT so he could offer from Duke. Give me a break......have any of you ever been in the paper? Have you ever been quoted? Have they ever gotten it correctly....what you said? Please get some hobby's. Cut has done more for UT in the last 45 days then the collective posters on this site have done in their lifetimes.
jeremy writes:
From the looks of it on Scout.com I thought we weren't even recruiting this year.
MANVOL writes:
He should have done more he was getting paid. Oh, if you mean surving a missed game winning kick by vandy, going three overtimes with a depleted Kentucky team, and losing to LSU when he was givin every oppurtunity to win, Ya he did allot for UT. Good bye dink and dunk offense; Fore-ever!!!!
jeremy writes:
maybe we will get someone who can run the no-huddle without getting a delay of game penalty.
cdldoc#211897 writes:
Dallasdoggy, think about it. It is not the quality of that quarterback as much as it is that he is being paid by UT to get ready for Wisconsin, not to recruit for the Dookies. He should be working fulltime for the Orange right now, unless he decides to leave early. That is the way I see it with my employees. I pay them, not someone else, so they work for my benefit.
chrisw2967 writes:
have any of you seen this kid Terrelle Pryor ?
we could sure use A QB like this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hStzwl...
jeremy writes:
everyone should place the T magnets upside down to signal the distress the program is in.
imnotwithphil writes:
But...but...but...but... we still have Phil! I mean, Phil is going to be with us forever... isn't that a pull for top recruits? Don't top recruits want to get mentored by Phil Fulmer? I mean, he's an offensive mastermind!
All of my Philbilly friends tell me what a great recruiter Phil is... so I'm sure we'll be OK!
waterskier3#226480 writes:
well.....well.......sounds like a lot of distractions for the bowl game but that's ok they always lose the game anyway and then they yell..... wait til spring pratice, then in spring we look like championship contenders/pretenders and then in the fall we get beat by 20 or 30 points and then they say stay the course and we need to get back to tn football.... haven't we heard these quotes a lot over fulmers career...
oh but we have one NC and 2 true sec championsships so we're a traditional powerhouse with fulmer running the show... Michigan finally said enough and getting rid of old school.... when will tn do the same.
rootin4volz writes:
Quite frankly, it was almost as if Cut was a little in his head all season running the offense...maybe it was because he was daydreaming of a head coaching position(?)...At any rate, we have an opportunity to bounce back by choosing a really good OC, and that'll get us back on track recruiting-wise.
Timed_vol (Inactive) writes:
okay, some of you are going nuts again. It's no surprise this will impact recruiting.
As far as Cutcliffe doing something not on the up and up, that's just dumb. For one thing, all the coaches talk recruits with Phil. Even Chavis and Cutcliffe have to clear offers with him. Do you think those guys go recruit in a vacuum???
If Phil works this right, it can actually IMPROVE recruiting by bringing in new, motivated coaches.
Southland writes:
does anyone really believe that things were all great between Cut and Phil for him to take the Duke job. We were nothing but a paycheck until he could get a bigger one. Hey I hope he does good at Duke but loyalty is out the window on this one
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Right on, mparker 12!
west_tn_volfan writes:
As far as Kippy running a dink and dunk scheme at houston, the texans had the worst offensive line in the NFL and Carr was sacked more than any other qb in the league. So a dink and dunk was all the line would give them time to run. This was not a scheme problem but a personnel problem. Given a good o line, I think Kippy would run a wide open exciting offense. Jimmy Johnson thought he was good enough to be his O.C. at miami. So I think he would be a great addition to the staff.
orangesox writes:
It's not like Cutcliffe wasn't up front about things from the very start two years ago when he came back. Even then he said he felt like he was a head coach. Of course he was going to go somewhere else when he got a chance. How many of us wouldn't jump at an opportunity to improve our own lives? Is recruiting at UT going to take a hit this year? Absoblutely. With Cut and Trooper gone (not to mention any others that go with Cutcliffe), it would be impossible not to take a step backwards in recruiting.
Also, how many of those on this board that bash Cutcliffe every day were the same people who were hailing his return as the greatest moment in UT history two years ago? This is a guy who probably will have less stress in his life as a HC at Duke than he does as just the coordinator here at UT.
tnmantravel#531151 writes:
hey Renfree, if you like coach cut so much...pls follow him to duke...hee hee hee.....(you will need your helmet and mouth guard) no offensive line to protect you...hee hee hee
cwisenhower#637741 writes:
Obviously Cutcliffe and Fulmer are friends enough that Fulmer is not interested in Renfree. Cutcliffe doesn't have a shot with 5-Star recruits now being at Duke, but Renfree may be just the kind of QB that Duke needs at this stage. But he's not good enough for the Vols.
I don't think there's any trickery here. You just have to read between the lines.
dallasdog1 writes:
CDLDOC,
Have you ever had someone working for you and they took a new job but you talked them into doing 1 last task..... get ready for audit, JCAHO review, what ever etc? No recruiting allowed until after jan 1....so cut wont be recruiting for anyone. You say you want to win a bowl game....so fulmer said to cut....this is key for me...can you help...cut said yep! WTF...you want everything and nothing simultaneously at the same time!?!?!
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