Vols making the grades; team GPA up

  • By Dave Hooker
  • Posted June 24, 2009 at 8:26 p.m. , updated June 24, 2009 at 8:26 p.m.
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While coach Lane Kiffin will ultimately be graded on what Tennessee's football team does in the fall, his early marks are exemplary.

UT's football team earned a combined 2.56 grade-point average in the spring semester, the highest team GPA since the 2004 fall semester when the Vols scored a 2.57.

It also is one of the largest jumps in team GPA from one semester to another in recent memory, approximately .2 over the 2008 fall semester.

'That's why we spend so much time and energy making sure our kids are going to class, making sure our kids are excelling in the classroom and making sure they're doing the right thing on campus to represent the University of Tennessee,' Kiffin said Wednesday on the News Sentinel's radio show, The Sports Page.

'I think anybody involved with Tennessee, any fans right now, can be so excited about what our players are doing and the way they are representing all of us.'

And not just in the classroom. UT hasn't had a player arrested under Kiffin's watch. Kiffin, who was announced as UT's head coach on Dec. 1, said he's 'extremely proud' of that streak.

'I think it gets missed a little bit around here and especially nationally,' Kiffin said. 'To me, when you evaluate a program in the first year…I want to know about player discipline.

'Are players going to class? What is their GPA? And are they staying out of trouble?

'I love what our players are doing — and our coaches — right now. I think we're a very disciplined program and a very disciplined team.'

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Comments » 46

volguy#211935 writes:

This won't get any play outside of this story, unfortunately, especially not down here in Florida (behind enemy lines).

TD_4_UT writes:

Grades up & I don't think there have been any arrest's. Isn't that great. How about that Gator's.

panties4tebow writes:

Smart coaches will produce smarter players!

GO VOLS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

panties4tebow writes:

UTWINSALOT with Kiffin & Company!!!!!!!!!!

GO BIG ORANGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

RichRollinz2 writes:

in response to utwhinesalot:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

Good reporting would have figured out that the rise is attributed to the 11 players who quit the program.

Did they quit or were they shown the door? HMMMMM.

kiffownsfla writes:

Keep up the great work coach. I think your doing a great job discipline job thats a MUST! And weve been lacking that lately! GO VOLS FEAR THE KIFF 73 DAYS GUYS!

txvolsfan writes:

You have to give the man credit for the discipline that he has instilled in the program. I've heard more than once in recent years that we lack discipline!!!
Let's just hope this carries over to the playing field.
I look for great things in the future if it does.
GREAT JOB COACH, You should be proud of your efforts!!!

tums writes:

The article.... knock on wood.

GaytorsSuckAndBamaBlows writes:

Great Job Guys! Keep up the good work.

RichRollinz2 writes:

in response to utwhinesalot:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

Doesn't matter, but it counts against the Vols APR. Ask Chattanooga what can happen when your APR is in the dirt.

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ubc1w9YqQRE...

What does Chattanooga have to do with the price of bail bondsmen in Fla?

NobodyCares writes:

in response to utwhinesalot:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

Doesn't matter, but it counts against the Vols APR. Ask Chattanooga what can happen when your APR is in the dirt.

Yup, just like the Crocs sitting in jail count against the UF APR. But lil' Urbie ain't worried, he'll be in South Bend this time next year -- living his dream!

RichRollinz2 writes:

in response to Lostballnhighweeds:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

If the boss says you can quit or be fired, does it really matter?

Actually it does matter. The loper was saying that these numbers were acheived because we cut all of the thugs, flunkies. D-Mo got cut for the OBVIOUS. But lots of the guys that left did not have a rap sheet or grade problems. They had a problem competing. But to say that Kiffin and the team accomplished this because he cut all "The Failures" is TOTALLY BOGUS. Just ain't true. This is a great thing for our program. All the coddling and talk about mentoring Fulmer did was total BS. A discipline team off the field will darn sure be a discipline team on the field.

RichRollinz2 writes:

in response to RichRollinz2:

Actually it does matter. The loper was saying that these numbers were acheived because we cut all of the thugs, flunkies. D-Mo got cut for the OBVIOUS. But lots of the guys that left did not have a rap sheet or grade problems. They had a problem competing. But to say that Kiffin and the team accomplished this because he cut all "The Failures" is TOTALLY BOGUS. Just ain't true. This is a great thing for our program. All the coddling and talk about mentoring Fulmer did was total BS. A discipline team off the field will darn sure be a discipline team on the field.

Last post I meant achieved. Hope John1998 did not catch that one,LOL.

kiffownsfla writes:

in response to RichRollinz2:

Last post I meant achieved. Hope John1998 did not catch that one,LOL.

Rich I would say jon had a warm glass of fat free milk and a half of a banana and read 2pages of us weekly and called it a night! lmfao GO VOLS!

RichRollinz2 writes:

in response to Lostballnhighweeds:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

All your points are, as usual, spot on. But what I was referring to with “does it matter?” was in response to your question about whether they quit or were shown the door. I simply meant that if the boss says "Quit or be fired", either way, you WILL be gone.

You sir are 100% correct. I did not disagree with your take on things, just had to explain mine. But what you said is spot on as well. PERFECT example, Phil Fulmer. OUCH, did I really just say that? I'm going to h### for that one without a doubt.

FARRAGUT0406 writes:

in response to no_excuses:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

This should be the first story on ESPN but it won't because they are a bunch of jerk headed butt holes. You will never hear the good thing about us because of the sorry excuse of sports reporters that is out there.

This is very good news for the program but stop with the ESPN conspiracy already.
You do not see Stanfords,
Notre Dame, or Vanderbilts
GPA on ESPN. In todays big
time college sports market
there is no interest. Just win baby win!!!

tweetdriver63#346474 writes:

in response to utwhinesalot:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

Good reporting would have figured out that the rise is attributed to the 11 players who quit the program.

I think you'll find that all of those players were still part of the team in the spring semester, and their grades are all part of the average.

Nice try, though.

tweetdriver63#346474 writes:

in response to utwhinesalot:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

Doesn't matter, but it counts against the Vols APR. Ask Chattanooga what can happen when your APR is in the dirt.

What does? Most, if not all, of the players who left (because they couldn't or wouldn't compete for playing time) were still counted in the spring semester's GPA, because they were part of the team at the start of the semester, and many were on football scholarships. I don't recall any (except Morley) being shown the door because they weren't cutting it in the classroom. If fact, I don't recall most of them being shown the door at all. They just decided to go somewhere else where they might be good enough to actually get on the field.

kingsportvolfan writes:

this is awesome news! Go Vols, discipline off the field means discipline on the field!!

RichRollinz2 writes:

in response to Lostballnhighweeds:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

As bad as I hate to leave true Vols, my last words (for tonight I hope) are: "Go Vols! A merry September to all, and to all, Buckfama!"

BuckFama! BWAHAHAHAHA!

http://www.3sib.com/2009/06/24/crimso...

swordandshield27#325334 writes:

in response to RichRollinz2:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ubc1w9YqQRE...

What does Chattanooga have to do with the price of bail bondsmen in Fla?

NICE!

Caveman writes:

Caveman say Kowabunga!

Pigball players taking care of business so they can take care of business.

Fire say NUFF SAID!!

PrideOfTheSouthlandBand writes:

This is great to hear a coach talk about and come through with. It is easier to win with smart players. It doesn't matter how insanely built your players are, if they are a bunch of idiots that can't add 2+2 how do we expect them to understand complex plays? or much less, recognize the other team's play calling and react to it? It doesn't matter if you can bench 500 lbs 35 times if you don't understand what a tampa 2 coverage scheme is.

teampenny#658108 writes:

Good job players! Go Vols

Colliervol writes:

in response to volguy#211935:

This won't get any play outside of this story, unfortunately, especially not down here in Florida (behind enemy lines).

And you can dang sure bet that the dim bulbs in the national media won't bring up the grades or the lack of arrests. That would interrupt their non-stop criticism of Kiffin and they can't have that. Kind of makes them look a little silly, doesn't it?

Geez, better grades and some new found discipline. What will they think of next?

RichRollinz2 writes:

in response to utwhinesalot:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

The Tampa-2 is commonly referred to as the Dungy-D here in Florida. It is the defense that failed the Bucs and they lost their last 4 games and got bumped from the playoffs.

HMMMMMM. Lets compare Dungy's Tampa 2 in Indy to Monte's in Tampa. When Dungy left Tampa, the D remained the same. Dungy's Tampa 2 in Indy could not compare to Monte's in Tampa. Monte is the reason Gruden and Dungy kept their jobs as long as they did in Tampa.

teampenny#658108 writes:

in response to Colliervol:

And you can dang sure bet that the dim bulbs in the national media won't bring up the grades or the lack of arrests. That would interrupt their non-stop criticism of Kiffin and they can't have that. Kind of makes them look a little silly, doesn't it?

Geez, better grades and some new found discipline. What will they think of next?

Let remember this is just a c+ average. Solid but nothing to brag about. Go Vols

kabzs writes:

in response to utwhinesalot:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

Doesn't matter, but it counts against the Vols APR. Ask Chattanooga what can happen when your APR is in the dirt.

UTC is so terrible it doesn't matter they are banned from post season play due to their APR.

If they don't win within 3 yrs, they will pull an ETSU and kill the football program. Just enough time for BJ Coleman to finish both his MBA and his football eligibility. Both paid for by someone else. He's no dummy.

1manningfan writes:

in response to utwhinesalot:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

The Tampa-2 is commonly referred to as the Dungy-D here in Florida. It is the defense that failed the Bucs and they lost their last 4 games and got bumped from the playoffs.

(This comment was removed by the site staff.)

VOLinCockCuntry writes:

in response to RichRollinz2:

HMMMMMM. Lets compare Dungy's Tampa 2 in Indy to Monte's in Tampa. When Dungy left Tampa, the D remained the same. Dungy's Tampa 2 in Indy could not compare to Monte's in Tampa. Monte is the reason Gruden and Dungy kept their jobs as long as they did in Tampa.

Don't forget Monte is the reason Tampa Bay won a Super Bowl with Brad Johnson at QB.

ethanfrome writes:

in response to LazhilUT:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

2.56! Are you kidding me?
With that many players and some walk ons that are high on academics...how many of these guys are failing their classes?
It's so pathetic that athletes are praised for a crappy GPA but if any of us put that GPA on our resume, we would not even get called for an interview.

A 2.56 is nothing to put on a resume, true. However, you should be proud that the coach is installing more discipline. This is not BIG news; this is notable and I am proud of them.

johnlg00#206211 writes:

in response to RichRollinz2:

Did they quit or were they shown the door? HMMMMM.

Either way, it shows that the "bad apples" are no longer welcome or tolerated on the Hill. Great job, Kiff & Co.!

johnlg00#206211 writes:

in response to utwhinesalot:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

The Tampa-2 is commonly referred to as the Dungy-D here in Florida. It is the defense that failed the Bucs and they lost their last 4 games and got bumped from the playoffs.

Well, obviously the fact that an AGING and INJURED Bucs defense was left on the field too long by an incompetent offense didn't have anything to do with it. Legendary NFL defensive coach Monte Kiffin just got stupid overnight...yeah, that's the ticket(;-P)!

shoalcreekvol writes:

in response to RichRollinz2:

http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ubc1w9YqQRE...

What does Chattanooga have to do with the price of bail bondsmen in Fla?

I put up another new pic yesterday to go with the handcuffs:

http://shoalcreekvol.blogspot.com/

RichRollinz2 writes:

in response to shoalcreekvol:

I put up another new pic yesterday to go with the handcuffs:

http://shoalcreekvol.blogspot.com/

Yeah I pated both of them on 2 other GVX threads yesterday. That was some funny stuff dude! Good work.

RichRollinz2 writes:

in response to johnlg00#206211:

Well, obviously the fact that an AGING and INJURED Bucs defense was left on the field too long by an incompetent offense didn't have anything to do with it. Legendary NFL defensive coach Monte Kiffin just got stupid overnight...yeah, that's the ticket(;-P)!

LOL,good post!

notoriousBIGorange writes:

This is GREAT news especially for all of the critics of CLK. NO arrests since he has been HC.

It has been ___?___ days since a FLA player has been arrested....

volgrog#210164 writes:

in response to no_excuses:

This comment may be inappropriate. Reveal this comment.

This should be the first story on ESPN but it won't because they are a bunch of jerk headed butt holes. You will never hear the good thing about us because of the sorry excuse of sports reporters that is out there.

Seriously, the first story on ESPN- our football team has a C+ average? I'm happy for the improvement, but a C+ average as a team isn't front page news as far as I'm concerned. My guess is this is just the start and Kiffin will expect more from them as time goes by.

sstarnes#216340 writes:

Don't put the cart before the horse CLK. Summer has just begun and before the end of the summer, someone will be in trouble with the Po Po. You can't watch them all the time and there are too many individuals out there that are just out for themselves and are going to make a mistake. This streak will NOT survive the end of the summer. You better "knock on wood" for speaking too soon on this one.

Psychovol writes:

This is perhaps the best indicator of what's going on at the hill of anything to date. Discipline was sorely lacking under Fulmer's regime and it showed up big time on the football field in addition to the classroom and the police blotter.

RichRollinz2 writes:

Andrew Hendrix is officilly a Notre Shame commit.

GerryOP writes:

Good job coaches and players!

72 -- Fear The Kiffin...

Gate21 writes:

in response to teampenny#658108:

Let remember this is just a c+ average. Solid but nothing to brag about. Go Vols

say what? my mom bragged about all my C+'s...two of her proudest moments!

Volunatic writes:

in response to RichRollinz2:

Actually it does matter. The loper was saying that these numbers were acheived because we cut all of the thugs, flunkies. D-Mo got cut for the OBVIOUS. But lots of the guys that left did not have a rap sheet or grade problems. They had a problem competing. But to say that Kiffin and the team accomplished this because he cut all "The Failures" is TOTALLY BOGUS. Just ain't true. This is a great thing for our program. All the coddling and talk about mentoring Fulmer did was total BS. A discipline team off the field will darn sure be a discipline team on the field.

Good point. Besides, most of those who left the team quit around the time of Spring football, which is well past the "drop deadline". Any of those who were getting poor grades at the time would have been figured into the totals for the team GPA.

Volunatic writes:

in response to tweetdriver63#346474:

What does? Most, if not all, of the players who left (because they couldn't or wouldn't compete for playing time) were still counted in the spring semester's GPA, because they were part of the team at the start of the semester, and many were on football scholarships. I don't recall any (except Morley) being shown the door because they weren't cutting it in the classroom. If fact, I don't recall most of them being shown the door at all. They just decided to go somewhere else where they might be good enough to actually get on the field.

What tweetdriver63 said.

hueypilot writes:

Really good reporting might have told us what the average GPA of the full time student body was. Kind of like comparing the graduation rate within five (or six) years for the football team with the grad rate of the student body as a whole, but that would have required a little bit of work. I don't see a lot of journalists working too hard.

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