Recruiting quickly comes to mind when most think of former Tennessee coach Frank Wilson’s departure to LSU.
That’s understandable. Wilson was a strong link for the Vols in Louisiana and Mississippi.
Wilson’s pupils, however, see the loss in a different light. They see a coach who helped resurrect an offense, which many had left for dead earlier this season.
“I think he deserved more credit than he’s getting because at the beginning of the year, the receiving corps was suspect,” junior receiver Gerald Jones said Friday, a day before Wilson agreed to become LSU’s running backs coach and recruiting coordinator, according to a source close to the hiring.
Jones remembers what he heard about UT’s passing game before the sudden improvement in October.
“It was, ‘Oh my God, the receiver’s not in the right spot. (Quarterback Jonathan) Crompton’s overthrowing them. Who’s fault is it? Who’s fault is it?’ ” Jones said.
That seems like eons ago. UT’s offense left their early season woes behind thanks largely to the improved chemistry between Crompton and his receivers.
UT’s receiving corps may not have developed the explosive depth coaches were hoping for. Injuries, inexperience and a new offense undermined that.
However, Wilson helped the Vols develop an efficient group of receivers and, at times, an explosive duo in Jones and junior Denarius Moore.
“Now you barely see drops by the receivers,” Jones said. “You see big-time plays by Denarius, big-time blocks by Marsalis (Teague), plays by me and Quintin (Hancock), so you see as a corps us coming together and we’re becoming, I think, one of the best receiving corps in the nation.
“All credit is due to him.”
Wilson’s coaching style played a strong role in that improvement.
“Well, he’s really strict, believe it or not,” Jones said. “He likes to have fun as well, but when we’re between these lines, it’s all about business and when you mess up, it doesn’t matter if you’re a captain or the youngest cat, he’s going to get on you no matter what.
“He’s going to be yelling and pounding into you that you’ve got to do it right. He’s very specific, and we bought into it. Once we realized that every inch counts, every yard counts, it’s starting to pay off.”
Jones has seen all this before. Coaching changes at UT have become almost as routine as a post pattern. UT’s next receivers coach will be the fourth one to coach Jones.
“This is a business, and my momma told me that before I even got to college,” Jones said. “I always wore that on my heart -- no hard feelings to anybody who decides to leave for a better opportunity.”
“… We’re trying to make it to the top, so we’ve just got to move on. Whoever the next guy is…play hard for him too.”
Austin Ward contributed to this report.
Tennessee's signing class for 2012
Tennessee defeats Georgia 3-2 in…
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Comments » 119
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Aren't you one of the idiots who said we'd never go to a bowl this year?
I can't believe I'm saying this.
Go Bama!
AceVentura writes:
Totally agree. I can't handle another article about Tebow on this site. I mean enough is enough.
halloffamebowler writes:
Yes,Wilson is smart like Strong.Strong must have seen the hand writting on the wall as in very little life after Tbone.
baldfan writes:
What about Alvin Harper? Could he come in and coach the wide receivers? I think it would be great to have a former NFL'er and Vol to come in and recruit and coach.
Ringside writes:
Florida 24
Alabama 23
Blitz
Kissimmee,FL
halloffamebowler writes:
Navonobd,
When you think you know it all,there's not much that you'll learn.If you become too impressed with your own importance,you've already begun to lose your advantage.
Humility is a sign of true courage and confidence.Those who are unsure of themselves are the ones who must prop up their egos with loud and arrogant boasts.What a waste of effort! Those who are confident enough to act with humility are the ones who get things done.
When you can admit that you don't know it all,you set yourself up to learn valuable things.When you act with respect and differences toward others,you win their sincere enthusiastic respect in return.Humility is not backing down.It is moveing past your own pety ego.
Acknowledging your limitations is a crucial step toward trancending them.Live with humility and you will truly live beyond yourself.
I am writeing this to Navonobd,but even we Vol fans are just as guilty and would be wise to heed this advice also.
mountainbrook writes:
Maybe he'll do better in the CFL than Chris Leak did.
halloffamebowler writes:
That is why that post was directed to you.You are weak and unsure of yourself.Grow up kid and you may see your imperfections.
Life is a mirror that reflects back to you what you do.The way to improve the reflection is to improve what is being reflected.
TommyJack writes:
Navonzz: Two things you should know.
1. We know you're not a real gator.
2. Cialis now comes with 2 dosing options.
crimsonviper writes:
I was thinking the same thing then i read your post...Tell KNS like it is....Vol fans deserve better....GBO!
jsm67vol writes:
Exactly! Great Post.
SEAL_9821 writes:
A team is only as good as its leader is. Regardless of who we loose on our staff, with the energy and vision that Kiffin has for this program, we will be fine. There are no bad boat crews...only bad leaders. BELIEVE IN KIFFIN!!!!!!!
ncvol17 writes:
Yeah, Kiffin is so unrespected that ESPN radio had him as the special guest Friday and Gameday had him as the guest game picker and commentator. He must have no respect in the Sports World to be picked for both by ESPN. The Chick Fil A is a stepping stone bowl to greater things. We do not have the built in home state recruiting base of kids so our coaches have to work harder.. Beware of the U and the new FSU regime pulling away some top state of Florida recruits going forward...
tennezz writes:
I hope you beat bama because ESPN is sucking up to them...But your still an IDIOT!
oldvolsfan writes:
go to your fla. site and sleep with myrer
tennezz writes:
Pardon the hell out of me...You...Your...You`re an IDIOT!
bosscat writes:
The player that present and future quarterbacks are and will be measured against in our lifetime is Peyton Manning. That's true now, but if you don't believe now, wait 5-10 years and dare to compare Tebow to Manning then.
VolinCalif writes:
Wishful thinking. See you next year.Hee Hee
VolinCalif writes:
Can't you find some where to go and J... O... Oh! I forgot you're a girl
VolinCalif writes:
Don't know how old you are, but I remember 16 yr olds in the third grade. WW2 finally got them. The thing you learn is that Intel reasoning is above them and they can't be put in their place verbally. The only thing they resect is a smack in the mouth. This joker hides behind his keyboard and will never face reality.
DownTheField writes:
I really like Jones' attitude in his comments published here.
FWBVol writes:
Fellow, if you were to sneeze hard enough I'm sure what little gray matter you have for brains would come flying out of your mouth.
Kiffin said from the start that he wasn't concerned about his assistant coaches getting other offers because that's a sign that the coach and program have been successful.
Florida has had two, count them, two coaches that have even won SEC titles, granted, they've also won national championships. But Florida's history of winning in football started in the 1990s.
Tennessee football coaches that have won SEC titles are the General, Bowden Wyatt, Doug Dickey, Bill Battle, Johnny Majors and Phillip Fulmer. And, I believe, much to the dismay of Gator fans such as yourself, Lane Kiffin will win multiple SEC titles and a national title or two with the Vols as well.
Even with all of Florida's recent success, the Gators still don't rank among the 15 winningest NCAA Division I programs of all time, or even in the SEC top five in wins for SEC schools.
If you want any more history lessons, I'll be happy to hold another class as I have a Phd. in SEC football.
Professor FWBVol.
golfin_blondie writes:
If you are a gator fan....go post on your site, please! You don't see me posting on the Florida site do you?
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Lord, please let Bama whip Florida's tails today so the gator trolls will shut their mouths for at least half an hour.
pammyvol1000 writes:
Will our commits leave now to follow him and what does that do for our future receivers?
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Love your post, but unfortunately I think the only way the trolls will actually comprehend and believe it would be for Glenn Beck to talk about it on Fox News.
VolFanFtl writes:
First of all, you are not a gator fan. Living in Ft. Lauderdale, I have a lot of real gator fans. The difference between them and you is that they actually have a life. They do not spend their free time pontificating on a Tennessee web-site.
Seriously man, get a life. Something is extremely wrong and pitiful with a person, like you, when all they have in life for amusement is to spend time on an opponent’s web-site and actually delude themselves in the fact that they are important.
You are a sad little person.
RJ_Vol writes:
efilhtiwnoteghtnomenonienogsiobet,
Have a good day!
VolFanFtl writes:
Man, how delusional are you?
You have the gall to say someone has no life, when you are obsessively posting on an article about a UT coach getting a raise.
Look at the posts on this article, the majority of them are from you. Yet you dare say someone has no life.
Again, you are a sad little man and an embarrassment to the gator nation.
BluezVol writes:
FWBVol - Nice post. Thanks for the history lesson. Best to ignore navonodb - he's just wishing in his little gator heart to get T-boned in the end zone.
VolFanFtl writes:
No, I don't have the wrong (notice proper spelling) guy. Did you or did you not call someone a 'fake marine with no life?'
Again, are you so delusional that you think I am responding to anyone else?
Is your life really so sad that 15 minutes before your teams plays for a possible SEC Championship, you spend your time posting inane ramblings on a Tennessee web-site?
You are a sad little man and an embarrassment to the gator nation.
ncvol17 writes:
Oops, sorry I thought I was discussing this subject with an adult. Too bad we can't accurately tell the physical and mental age b4 we waste time in discussion. My apologies son, now back to your XBox..
VolFanFtl writes:
Dude, my apologies. Sorry!
rootin4volz writes:
OH! You're a Gayter fan. That explains your idiocy. Hope you end up in a tie after slapping each other through the maximum number of OTs.
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Oh man, this bozo is calling the game? Be prepared for a Tebow kneel-and-bob fest.
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
Porous. Weak. Gouged. Pathetic.
What are, "Words that describe Florida's defense?"
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Wow, Bama has started good! 9-0 can't believe Tiffin missed the PAT. The look on Urban's face is priceless! They're totally neutralizing Spikes.
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
We have a winner!
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
Well, in a game where you were supposed to win by 28+ (and hoping for a 60 point shutout), I'd say that our gameplan was pretty effective. Looks like the impending departure of Charlie Strong is taking it's toll. Nice, aggressive comeback by the way. That's what I expect by a scared animal backed into a corner like the Gaturds are.
Besides, I think that it's absolutely hilarious that you have to resort to a comment about the Tennessee-Flu game to get back at me. LOL Weak.
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
What was the line on this game anyways?
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Well, I've never seen two football players kiss on national t.v. Glad to see the Gators were first at something as well.
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
I've never seen a coach as (supposedly) respected as lil-Urbie make excuses as to why he didn't live up to the fan's expectations and NOT beat us by 60.
What is, "Making excuses to avoid humiliation?"
CORRECT FOR $800!!!
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
LOL And that's correct in the Daily-Double!! I don't even wanna know your wager!!
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
Too true. Never heard the flu used as an excuse for not covering a spread. Yet another Gator first!
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
I'm neither homosexual nor homophobic, I'm just stating a fact. I've never seen two players kiss on t.v. before. Not judging :)
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
I wagered my winnings from when I bet on UF to win the SEC. Oh wait, I never bet on them, because it's not gonna happen! Not serious, I have no idea who is gonna win, but then again, Maze just burned them again. Wonder how scared the trolls are getting now?
V_O_L_S_GO_VOLS_GO writes:
Again, a weak, name-calling response from a scared little boy. This is too hilarious. The fall of Rome began a long time ago, my "friend," and too many stones are already on the ground to begin rebuilding. Again I say, weak.
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
LGBT organization? Know all about them. I'm a senior social work/business management double-major. Many friends are gay, lesbian, even used to work security at an alternative lifestyle nightclub. No use trying to insult me on this one. That was the best place ever to meet hot single chicks. Most people don't understand that.
I just think it's all funny.
Gator_Hater (Inactive) writes:
I was happy with six, the seventh was icing on the cake.
Try again :)
roloyo writes:
LMAO, Who were the 2 lil' closet queens???? Must've missed that. Still LMAO
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