Tennessee quarterbacks coach David Reaves can empathize with pupil Jonathan Crompton. Both have felt the ire of fan bases.
“Your name is mud here,” former South Carolina running back Duce Staley told Reaves when he appeared on a Columbia radio station shortly after he left the Gamecocks last December to join the staff of first-year UT coach Lane Kiffin.
Recruiting was at the center of the emotional estrangement. And it still is with the Vols (3-4, 1-3 SEC) playing host to South Carolina (6-2, 3-2) on Saturday (TV: ESPN, 7:45 p.m.).
South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier still seemed miffed this week when he was asked about Reaves trying to recruit committed South Carolina prospects to UT.
“(Reaves) started recruiting all the guys committed to us, which is sort of — I mean, it’s not against the rules. But sometimes you usually let somebody else recruit ’em. (That) is more the ethical thing,” Spurrier told The State. “But it’s no big deal. All fair in recruiting, just about, as long as you don’t break the rules.”
Reaves, who was an assistant for seven years at South Carolina, chuckled and said, “I’d rather not answer that one,” when asked if there are any gentlemen's agreements in recruiting. Kiffin wasn’t so evasive.
“He could have never come to me and said ‘Coach, there’s this really good player but we’re not going to recruit him because he’s committed somewhere else,’” Kiffin said. “That wouldn’t work for me. And that wouldn’t work for our staff.”
Kiffin wasn’t concerned that Reaves, who is his brother-in-law, caught some flack for recruiting some South Carolina prospects, like receiver Alshon Jeffery, tailback Jarvis Giles and defensive backs DeVonte Holloman, Stephon Gilmore and D.J. Swearinger. To Kiffin, that was simply part of the gig.
“I didn’t really talk to him about it because I didn’t know that much about it,” Kiffin said of the transition Reaves endured. “To me, that’s his job. If you’re going to come work for me we’re going to try to get the best players.
“We’re here to win championships. I think that people around here understand that now, but if you work for me then you understand that from the first day that you get here.”
Reaves agreed that committed prospects are just prospects, even if he was bit more selective with his choice of words.
“That’s right,” he said. “They don’t sign until the first week in February.”
Both coaches are garnering more credit for their coaching than their recruiting. Quarterback Jonathan Crompton has gone from a frequent fan target to a player with a suddenly promising future after two strong performances — a blowout win against Georgia and a heart-wrenching loss to then No. 1 Alabama.
Many have questioned Crompton’s field vision. Some have questioned his intelligence. Most just wanted him benched.
UT’s coaches looked deeper and saw a perfectionist who had trouble accepting anything less than ideal.
“That personality can hurt people when things go bad because they expect everything to go perfect and they have a hard time dealing with it when it doesn’t,” Kiffin said. “You have to make sure you continue to build their confidence.”
Kiffin can’t pinpoint a single moment when Crompton changed. However, the Georgia game was when Kiffin noticed a difference, especially when Crompton responded well after throwing an interception that was returned for a touchdown.
“It’s not a specific play, but that would be a turning point,” Kiffin said. “He’s different. You feel that he’s different. “
The pressure had clearly affected Crompton. It was most evident when he came to the sidelines after a mistake with a sense of dread. Now Crompton looks to the next play with optimism.
“As opposed to feeling like the world is coming down on you and (saying) ‘Now I’ve got to make a great play because everybody wants me benched,’ ” Kiffin said.
Crompton appreciated the times when Kiffin backed him publicly. He appreciates the time spent learning from Kiffin even more.
“The more time you get to spend with somebody like coach Kiffin … it always helps,” the senior said. “It’s hard to get time but you always try to pick his brain.
“You just go in there, listen to him, do what he says and everything works out.
“I’m enjoying playing for coach Kiffin. I wish I had some more time with him but obviously I don’t, so I’m going to make the best of it.”
Like Crompton, Reaves knows the strain of having an entire state’s worth of football fans on your back. That’s part of being a quarterback — and part of being a recruiter.
“In the SEC, a lot of fans are passionate about their teams and passionate about their coaches,” Reaves said. “So anytime a coach is going to leave for another team in the conference, or even within the division, you know there’s going to be some strife.
“But it’s been a great move for me and I’m lucky to be here.”
Tennessee 69, South Carolina 57 men's…
Vanderbilt 65, Tennessee 47, Jan. 24…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
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Comments » 43
creekroad writes:
Witch Doctor beyond booooring.......how old are you 10, maybe 12?
steamboatticket#484773 writes:
justsayno..." I never thought I would say or even think this but I wish Crompton wasn't a Sr."
Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing lately. I wonder what the recent praise means to him after all of the mean talk that he endured. I am sure that it is deeply appreciated in some way. But I also suspect that he has grown so much within himself that he is way more focused on playing the next game.
TommyJack writes:
Don't diss the Witchster.
JohnnyU writes:
So Lane Kiffin is not supposed to recruit somebody because he's committed elsewhere. Wasn't Jarvis Giles committed to us?
Brillovol writes:
Crompton got me thinking the same thing that Justsayno said. I sure wish he had another year of eligibility left. I just wonder with consistent coaching how good Crompton could be. All I can hope for is him to make us proud the rest of the way. If he goes lights out, he will go out as a favorite in our hearts.
C'mon Jon, show us what we've missed!
dowhatsright writes:
I think he's funny, a nice guy and a good fan. Why try to put someone down? That's a bad attitude. I've been on these boards enough to know that if we had to vote one person off it wouldn't be him. I don't think you will have amny people agreeing with you. He's a guy I would enjoy sitting beside at a game - I'm not so sure about you. Stop being a bully or we will pull your pony tail.
VOL03_NC writes:
ha ahahaha...too funny!
OhioOrange writes:
Long time reader, infrequent contributor. I appreciate both of you. Quite often, I just scroll down for for the entertaining and insightful comments. You guys are included in those select few. Thanks for the laughs,some great sarcasm and keeping this thread real...oh and apparently watch your a++ on CreekRoad...don't take the candy...
tennezz writes:
Better leave Witchy alone, He make doll like you and stick with pins! Keep up the good work Witchy!
VolAlum2003 (Inactive) writes:
Haters come with the fame Witch Doctor. Don't ever stop reading those bones!!!
tennezz writes:
Give him hell Witchy, He`ll learn not to mess with the medical profession! Give us an update on the kid next door!
ktemaque1 writes:
I am a longtime reader, infrequent contributor. WD is one of the reasons I read these posts. He is insightful, entertaining, and a VOL through and through! Keep up the good work Witchie! Back to the point of the article, glad to have you here Coach Reaves and wish we could have you longer Jon!
VOLFORLIFE writes:
Yeah, what TeeJay said!
GO VOLS!!!
Beat the GameChickens!
JUGHEAD
crimsonviper writes:
Agree with that 100% WD has got it goin' on!
rootin4volz writes:
Wow...Spurrier used to really get up in our bonnet here in good ol' East Tennessee, but now he just sounds like a sad, grumpy old man. Who's having the last laugh now, Stevie? You wienie.
BillVol writes:
I think Witch Doctor said all that needs to be said in response to this article.
wayoutwill writes:
Witchdoctor stinks,Will never lie!Not to mention that he's a flip flopper which probably explains the crossdressing!If he's a creative writer,"Kiff" is the next new Raiders Coach!
jasonsvols writes:
Witch Doctor you seem very pumped up for this game. GO VOLS.
CoverOrange writes:
Giles had the wandering eye before Reaves was hired. And to your first question: that's not what Stevie said. Even Trooper Taylor was questioned whether he would step out of the picture recruiting for Oklahoma State those he had recruited for Tennessee.
Seriouslyorange writes:
Witch Doctor, can you read bear teeth? I saw a guy throw bear teeth like dice and take readings from them. At parties he would sort of read fortunes and such. Very successful also. He would have girls almost crying, thinking they were going to lose their boy friends etc. If the bones ever fail you, would you consider bear teeth? Just think how "Teeth never lie" would look. What you think?
Teeth never lie
Brillovol writes:
Empty gas can? (circled)
bigorange61 writes:
I got to give the WD props on that reply. Now to wipe the coke spit off my monitor.
Vol_in_Texas writes:
ROFL; GO VOLS! EAT MORE CHICK'IN
CA_vol writes:
I still say J Crompton is our man. We should have been supporting him from day one. He has always given the best he had for Tenn. He has persevered thru different coaches and offensive schemes. Let's learn to back our players who give their best for the Big O.
AirForceVol writes:
That is beyond funny!
VolsRaysBucs writes:
Point, set, match.....WITCH DOCTOR!!!
Why do people insist on messing with sleeping bones, Doc?
FearTheVols1252 writes:
I certainly hope the success with Crompton continues… it will be worth its weight in gold in recruiting. Recruits will see a kid who had a HORRIBLE career at UT and became a star after just one season under the Kiffin regime… a regime that believed in him, watched his back, and kept their word by sticking with him even when it was the unpopular thing to do amongst some pretty rowdy fans. The recruits will be lining up! We’ll have to turn them away!
Bones – tell me I’m lying! YOU CAN’T!!! lol
cybervol writes:
I challenge everyone going to the game sat. to bring this sign
"BONES NEVER LIE!"
Y10 writes:
Could possibly be the best response I've ever seen on here.....
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Iam not sure why we're a 6 point favorite in this game;They put it on us pretty good last year((I realize Fulmer had lost his team by that point)) Like him or not Steve is still one of the better offensive minds in college;just doesn't have the offensive talent to be consistent..We don't have many weakness's on defense but I guarantee he will find something.. We don't have a lot of sacks this year and that needs to change this week because Garcia can get hot when he gets good protection..Hardesty will be the key to winning this one...SC is very good against the pass but 61st against the run..The home crowd will make an impact too..For those of you going to the game give em h#ll; Wish I was there with you but Miami is a long way from home,,,GO VOLS!!!
Orangeblood64 writes:
Now this is funny- make sure the sign is big or have several so ESPN will pick it up-you know the media loves it "Dirty Laundry"
hueypilot writes:
Steve doesn't have the talent because Steve doesn't like to recruit, never has, and won't start now. He lost a good recruiter in Reaves, but I think I might understand the family ties, but with Steve, everything is personal, never business.
When he was just beginning at Duke, and his early years at Florida, when he still had Bob Stoops, his teams were really something. It's sad to see him now, prostituting himself at a second rate football power that has been a career ender for so many (Holtz, Dietzel just to name two) just so he can get an Augusta membership and hang around with the Buffets, the Stevens and the Gates of the world.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Good post man;Reaves just did his job; But if Ed "O" jumped ship for Bama and worked on our D Line recruits we wouldn't exactly be singing "The good ship Lollipop"
johnlg00#206211 writes:
It's probably been a very valuable lesson to him. It is that people are fickle, hugging you when you are up and kicking you when you are down. It would be a shame if it made him cynical, but it should also give him a sense of when people are being honest and when they want something from you. But I agree with your last sentence, too; don't worry about what people are saying until the job is done and then what they say won't matter anyway.
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Sorry, dude, but if it came to a vote among regular posters between you and Witchy as to who stays and who leaves the board, all I can say is "Buh-bye".
WLafIndianavol writes:
Funny, the SC Chicken fans were here earlier this year talking about how good the Hens would be this season. Where are they now; finally realized this Chicken team will NOT win the SEC East!
Go Vols; beat the Chickens!!
AllVol2008#1353998 writes:
How about they actually win something before they jump ship?
sizeDD writes:
Is this the same Will who left this little nugget about the Lil Wayne yada yada yada?
"I would hope that all good Christians will recognize this statement as "being the sad truth" about our whole country!" I'm a bit suprised that a good christian would make a cress dressing reference.
If you are I wanted to know your definition of a "bad" Christian because evidently there are good and bad.
tearlp#352053 writes:
U TELL HIM WD!! U ROK!!!
sizeDD writes:
the reference was to "cross" dressing not "cress" dressing; luckily the ground is level so I can make a mistake........
johnlg00#206211 writes:
Well, they aren't likely to jump UP unless they win at UT. The assistants aren't likely to make more AS assistants anywhere else, unless they upgrade from position coach to coordinator or get a HC job. Who can blame anybody for leaving for a better position elsewhere? Besides, with this staff, part of doing a good job is proving oneself as a recruiter. As long as they leave us with some good players, I'm fine if they think they can do better elsewhere. If the program is winning, their replacements will probably be just as good. If it isn't, then it will be "every man for himself" anyway.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
Here's to hoping none of the staff move to a head coach job..This staff is the most relentless;hard working team we've ever had at UT
johnlg00#206211 writes:
I was one who thought JC in fact would get a long look from the NFL if he finished strong, but "top 20"? Even with all his positives, NFL personnel types are notorious for fixating on prospects' negatives. I'm sure someone will give him a shot as a free agent, but I will be astounded if he goes any higher than the fifth round if he is drafted at all.
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