Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 4, 2008 at 4:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Three words. Jim Bob Cooter.

Posted by elsinoresam on January 4, 2008 at 7:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Thank God! Now maybe we canget some fresh Blood into this stale gene pool.

Posted by 10ACVOL on January 4, 2008 at 8:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

CPF interviewed Cignetti yesterday...

Posted by Gustoly on January 4, 2008 at 9:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What good is a new OC if the head coach won't let him do his thing. Our HC is the most paranoid fella in that position I have ever seen. (beware of an assistant ! ! !) Sound familiar ?

Posted by sjt18 on January 4, 2008 at 9:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gustoly, People who are actually informed and close to this situation report that CPF is determined to hire someone who will challenge him and his ideals and also bring UT another championship. Supposedly, he's reached a point where he no longer fears for his job or whether someone shines more brightly than he does.

In fact, it is rumored that he may even be trying to hire his eventual successor.

"beware of an assistant"? That theory went out the window with the hiring of Cutcliffe. It wasn't quiet speculation that Cut might be hired to replace CPF outright or else to takeover when he stumbled.

In one respect, hiring Cut was low risk- a known quantity whose strengths matched UT's needs... but personally, that was a dangerous hire for CPF.

Posted by sjt18 on January 4, 2008 at 9:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

10ACVOL, What do you think?

Cignetti is the first guy that's been mentioned that I've really gotten excited about. He isn't a spread or "run and shoot" guy... but believes in a very aggressive version of the West Coast O that includes more deep throws.

If I'm not mistaken, his father more or less invented zone blocking.

Posted by TommyJack on January 4, 2008 at 9:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

elsinoresam: Not so fast my friend! He could STILL dip into the pool. Pound the course.

Posted by TommyJack on January 4, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nick: Why you like Cooter?

Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 4, 2008 at 10:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's kind of a joke, but on the other hand... (at risk of sounding like an idiot here)

1. He wants to be a coach and is available.

2. You don't have to be a successful player to be a successful coach... most aren't.

3. He is young enough to bring fresh blood and seems like he could be a good recruiter with his age.

4. He could be a Major Applewhite (former Texas QB, current bama OC) type of guy. You never see it coming until the fella is callin plays like it's 1999.

5. This is the south brother. You need a man named Jim Bob callin plays!!!

Honestly, I wouldn't give him a hard look right now, but in the future... who knows?

Posted by TommyJack on January 4, 2008 at 10:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Nick: ok, never had problem with Cooter. Stay the rock.

Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 4, 2008 at 10:51 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Why all the excitement about Cignetti?

His last OC job at NC got him fired after a year. Sure, he did great at Fresno State but it's the WAC so you can't put much into that. Especially since the WAC is considerably stronger now than it was.

Do you guys see something I don't?

Posted by nicksjuzunk on January 4, 2008 at 10:55 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Also, for a QB coach, I can't say that his pupil, Mr. number one pick Alex Smith has developed that much. I guess he probably coached David Carr at Fresno State so that must count for something.

Posted by sjt18 on January 4, 2008 at 11:36 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm not sure about Carr but Pinegar produced well beyond his ability.

Cignetti has been with the 49er's for a year after Butch Davis cleaned house at UNC.

He hasn't had nearly the talent needed to be effective for two years... and the problems in SF hardly started when he got to town.

I don't know if he's the guy they'll hire much less the right guy for the job... but based on the info that's been available on various other candidates... he looks the best to me.

Maybe after NOT seeing UT throw the ball downfield for a long time a guy that says that the dink and dunk part of the WC O has its place... but that he wants to stretch the field more... appeals to me.

My other favorite is Marrone. He's probably more of a long shot... and the thing that bothered me most about him and Brown was that neither had alot of playcalling experience. If what I've read is valid, Marrone is the Saints' OC but doesn't call the plays.

Posted by 55Vol on January 4, 2008 at 1:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Anyone watch Kansas last night? Dink and Dunk with a few throws deep and some unorthodox formations. But, they took what the Hokie defense gave them. They won. They averaged 44 points a game during the season. The spread ain't all Urban cracks it up to be. Ask LSU.

Posted by invisiblekid on January 4, 2008 at 2:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Soooo, I wonder if Kippy is still in the running for the Vols job?

Posted by Colliervol on January 4, 2008 at 3:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like they didn't come up with the package that could entice Kippy. (It has been said that would mean Fulmer doesn't quite have the support he once had to come up with the money needed for the hire.) Or they didn't give him a promise to be the head coach within a few years. Or Kippy simply likes the pro game better and wants to stay there. Who knows.

55vol, yeah I watched the Orange Bowl and was not impressed with either team. Offensively, both were pretty sad. Neither could protect their QB worth anything. Pretty good special teams on both sides though.

Posted by pdhuff on January 4, 2008 at 3:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Dang, after weeks of Kippy this, Kippy that, Kippy go around the maypole, we are un-Kippied.

Officially. NFL coaches, folks, usually don't jump at college jobs that include any semblance of recruiting.

Posted by 10ACVOL on January 4, 2008 at 3:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

55, Kansas also had a SOS of 75 this year...FL averaged 43 a game with a SOS of 8...hmmmm

About Cignetti, I just can't imagine watching the vols run a West Coast Offense, what a change that would be. Instead of running to set up the pass, we'd be passing to set up the runs. BUT I'm open to change, sounds entertaining.

Posted by volfan_in_mississippi on January 4, 2008 at 9:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)

10ACVOL: I thought we had been passing to set up the run for the past 2 years.