- Former NFL coach Sam Wyche on Jonathan Crompton. (GoVolsXtra audio)
- Former UT running back Gerald Riggs Jr. (GoVolsXtra audio)
- Monte Kiffin talks to the media about UCLA (GoVolsXtra audio)
- Austin Ward and Dave Hooker interview offensive coordinator Jim Chaney (GoVolsXtra audio)
- Lane Kiffin talks about Monte Kiffin, facing off against UCLA offensive coordinator Norm Chow (GoVolsXtra audio)
Hear more audio
Jonathan Crompton's family calls it the day that saved their son's football career at Tennessee.
"Jonathan just needed to talk to somebody that wasn't involved that knew football and knew quarterbacks," David Crompton said of his son.
That somebody turned out to be Sam Wyche, one of the more innovative offensive minds in NFL history. He played under Paul Brown and coached under Bill Walsh.
As a coach, he tutored quarterbacks Joe Montana, Boomer Esiason, Vinny Testaverde and Drew Bledsoe.
Wyche's influence, the Cromptons believe, is one of the reasons UT's senior quarterback will bounce back this season. Jonathan Crompton threw for five touchdowns last week against Western Kentucky in a 63-7 rout. He'll lead the Vols (1-0) into Neyland Stadium on Saturday against UCLA (1-0). Kickoff is 4 p.m. (TV: ESPN).
The Cromptons became aware of Wyche's willingness to help their son through a mutual friend.
Wyche knew UT's football program well. His brother, Bubba Wyche, played quarterback for the Vols in the late 1960s. Sam Wyche's daughter was the Vol hostess who showed Peyton Manning around campus.
Soon after UT's disastrous 5-7 season was complete, David and Jonathan Crompton were in the car heading to Wyche's home in Pickens, S.C.
"I'm not saying he was a wreck," David Crompton said, "but he was as low as you could be."
Wyche sat Crompton down and began quizzing him. Questions about football surrounded sessions on the chalkboard. It didn't take long before the embattled quarterback made an impression.
"I noticed that his eyes didn't leave me," Wyche said. "He was attentive. Joe Montana used to be that way. I used to kid him about it. You act like you're going to eat the last word of every sentence right out of my mouth before I can get the last syllable out."
Wyche was soon confident that Crompton understood the game. Now, it was time to test his physical ability.
Wyche took Crompton to a local YMCA and had him throw. Arm strength wasn't an issue.
"He's got some stuff on it," Wyche said. "Those laces can cut into your fingers pretty good when it's coming at you like that."
Wyche was more impressed with Crompton's passing drops.
"He has a natural athletic ability to do that," Wyche said. "Some good quarterbacks struggle with that little aspect of it. As a result it makes you just a little bit late getting the ball off sometimes. That certainly wasn't his problem."
The athleticism was gravy. Wyche knew what would make or break a quarterback.
"The two most important things that a quarterback must have anywhere at any level is he's got to be smart and he's got to be accurate," Wyche said. "If he's not smart and he's not accurate, coaches are going to be continually looking to replace you."
Wyche soon decided that neither of those attributes should hold Crompton back. So what was it that turned his debut season into a debacle?
Wyche put down the coaching whistle and pulled out the psychologist's couch.
"We talked about handling the stress of the game," Wyche said. "It's a pretty tough duty when the camera is always on the guy with the ball and you've always got the ball."
He also wanted to know if Crompton still enjoyed the game.
"You still like football?" Wyche asked. "You still having fun? When you're not having fun, that's the time to get out of it."
Crompton responded quickly. The game was still fun.
First-year UT coach Lane Kiffin said in August that Crompton battled a confidence issue like many of his offensive teammates, who struggled in 2008.
"It's tough to overcome a lack of confidence," Wyche said. "You're wired one way or another. I know I can do it or I'm not sure I can do it. You can get rewired though. I'm sure of that."
Wyche saw it happen first hand when Testaverde struggled with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and then went on to successful seasons with the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens and the New York Jets.
"I think Jonathan is wired to be a confident kid but he was going through that tough time," Wyche said.
Coaching changes didn't help Crompton, who played under four different coordinators at UT.
"If you have four different coordinators over a professional career, you're going to have trouble with it," Wyche said. "Much less over a college career."
Wyche wasn't just evaluating the young quarterback who sat before him. He also empathized.
Wyche's Bengals went 4-11 in 1987, making him public enemy No. 1 in Cincinnati. The following season, Wyche led the Bengals to the Super Bowl.
"Going from his head being called for to being the king of the city," Jonathan Crompton said describing Wyche's success. "It was a good experience getting to talk to him. He's a great guy, a great coach and definitely somebody I try to keep in touch with."
Following their discussion, Wyche had one thing to say to Crompton, "There are no barriers keeping you from being a top quarterback."
David Crompton saw an almost immediate change in his son. He left his Waynesville, N.C., home earlier that day with his head and shoulders slumped. He returned excited, chatting about spring practice.
"That was the day," David Crompton said. "Coach Wyche doesn't know what he did for Jonathan."
© 2009, Knoxville News Sentinel Co.
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Comments » 91
jcherrie#219531 writes:
Bones never lie.
jcherrie#219531 writes:
I think I heard that somewhere.
GBO writes:
Great article Dave - let's hope he remembers these things this weekend and on the 19th.
Plasticman writes:
At first glance I thought this said "Witch Doctor may Have Cured Crompton" Regardless , I sure am glad to see Jonathan play like he's capable of playing. I look for a great year from him before it's all said and done.
VOLHolla writes:
WOW i thought it read Witch Doctor may have cured crompton.
He wasnt the #2 pro-style QB prospect out of HS for nothing. Just as with Erik Ainge - its getting the gray matter to matter.
SLOBBER_knocker_U writes:
He has all of the ability in the world... None of us can imagine the pressure that he is under. He just needed to get a swagger about him and I beleive CLK and the rest of the staff has helped JC acheive that. GO VOLS!!!!
volcycle writes:
Awesome article!! Thank you Coach Wyche! Go JC!!
TurboFan writes:
"Wyche was more impressed with Crompton's passing drops."
Come again? Is that like a bounce pass?
Seriously, never heard of "passing drops".
YaaBaby writes:
Wyche doctor....or Witch_Dr????
the10sevol writes:
you never heard of a five step drop or a seven step drop? you must have been a lineman.
GBO
Witch_Doctor writes:
Witch Doctor say they know it was me. Witch Doctor say they being coy. Bones never lie
IPOrange writes:
There are many imitators, but only one true Witch Doctor. Roll dem bones, doc!
mbible1utk#324980 writes:
To quote... I believe it's John Madden... 90% of football is half-mental. We all saw all the promise in the world in Jonathon Crompton, but the spotlight hit him and he shrunk. It looked a lot like he got some swagger back in him. We'll know for certain when we see how he responds in critical situations, and when someone is really getting after him.
diehardvolunteer writes:
Best of luck Cromp Daddy, we are all pulling for you.
FreeTDTN writes:
My boy Witch Doctor cured Crompton. Who knew?
rockytopatl writes:
The story never says what Wyche said or did that "cured" Crompton. I can't believe it was the "Is football still fun?" question. I don't think Hooker ever got to the bottom of it. He tried, but didn't get there.
YaaBaby writes:
Crompton has one good game and now everyone thinks he's cured....Witch_Doctor you better put some extra voodoo on him for UCLA
CHEROKEEVOL writes:
JC IS A GOOD QTR BACK,WE ALL SAW THAT AGAINST WKU,HE JUST NEEDED THE RIGHT COACHES.REMEMBER
PEOPLE,SUCCESS ONLY COMES BEFORE WORK IN THE DICTIONARY!! KEEP IT UP JOHNATHON.
FWBVol writes:
Come on, give linemen a break. This is one old lineman that probably knows as much or more about the game than a lot of fans. Linemen understand the QB drops because if the QB screws up his drop it makes us look bad. LOL
GO VOLS!!!
tdforvols writes:
How many different Witch Doctors do we have now? Man they are coming out of the woodwork. The original is still the one and only though in my book.
Go Vols!
FWBVol writes:
If Sam Wyche says Crompton has all the tools physically and mentally, I'm not going to argue with him. Wyche has forgotten more football than 95 percent of us will ever know.
If Jonathan can have another big game against UCLA on Saturday it will go a long way toward giving him the confidence he needs when he makes his first start in the Swamp next week.
FreeTDTN writes:
I asked Dupree, "Is pushing a shopping cart at the Halls Kmart still fun." He only smiled and drueled.
stayingorange writes:
Wyche is great for the game at all levels. Having been in SC for a few years before getting back to Tenn it was really cool to see how much he was involved with Furman and even coaching the high school team in Pickens. It's obvious he knows a lot and is good at sharing it.
murrayvol writes:
Knew that one would drop early.
gcscvol writes:
Good article
murrayvol writes:
Don't know what what brought this on and don't care, but if Crompton keeps putting up good numbers when the competition stiffens, I'll be a happy fan.
Seriouslyorange writes:
Drueled? Is that anything like drooled?
drvol writes:
I hope he's back to the Crompton who played against LSU in 2006.
I know he had some bad plays in the game and that we ultimately lost, but what got lost in the debacle of last season was his really great drive at the end of the UCLA game to get us in field goal range to get us to OT. He's got the tools and has come through in tough situations a couple of times. Sounds like a little confidence COULD go a long way for him!
BolivarBob writes:
Dam Hooker, you surprise me. Thanks Wyche Doctor. Bones never lie. It's been a while but I think I want some Caveman smoke.
Go Vols!
Tennessee 42
UCLA 6
CRFVols writes:
Good article. I'm guilty of bad mouthing Crompton, but God bless him. He's only a kid and he's doing his best I believe when it comes down to it.
leedsvol2007 writes:
He had the effects of a mild concussion and just played in the 4th quarter. It shows what he can do when the little man of doubt is turned off.
Hopefully Wyche straightened him out like Cutcliffe did Ainge.
He took a big step last Saturday let's hope that continues.
GoVols!
TurboFan writes:
3, 5, 7 step drop is more in keeping with standard terminology. Just needed a vector.
Not lineman, WR. Rarely came to the huddle.
BolivarBob writes:
Wasn't that Dupree in that Deliverence scene with the Drueling banjos?
Volomatic writes:
Gotta see if not already
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dnti9Q...
jbc writes:
I did not know Bubba Wyche was his brother.
Along that thread I used to want Ken Anderson, former Bengals QB as UT QB coach or offensive coordinator.
tdtnsee writes:
I think they spelled your name wrong, it's "Witch doctor." Witch doctor if you've changed John into this great QB you should merical worker to your name.. GO VOLS!!!!!!
Madkels writes:
I'll bet the fake Dr. Witch will add his 2 cents to this conversation. Let's hope not.
Now that J.C. has his confidence, I hope he builds on it this weekend and carries it to Gainesville. We will need him at his best there no doubt. Go Vols!
tennezz writes:
Thanks Witch Doctor, You did a good job on Crompton! How are you on back and neck pain? What do bones say will be the score tomorrow?
BillsBrother writes:
As much as I wanted to see Nick Stephens in the 3rd qtr of the WKU game, I believe it was right to leave JC in the game. Building on that confidence that the witch doctor started will pay big dividends for the Vols this season!
givehim6 writes:
Need to have Stevens talk to coach Wyche also.
crimsonviper writes:
Good story D.Hooker. Now how about dropping by Mr. Adams office and giving him a few pointers.
Huttdawg100 writes:
Hilarious.... I needed a laugh after my Titans lost.
phhome writes:
I hope Crompton has a bit of anger built up inside him to torch the bruins this weekend. It'll be nice wiping the floor with the bruins sending them back west licking their wounds.
marc_ash#231781 writes:
I think it was more likely "Witch Doctor" cured Cromptons aides.
Those bones have special powers.
BolivarBob writes:
Witchy, I think they did kinda give you a compliment with the story title. You were mentioned in some out of state story I read a while back. You're becoming quite the cult hero.
VolWoman writes:
I admit to rooting for Stevens to win the job but seeing the pure joy on Crompton's face about made me cry. I'm happy and hopeful that the Crompton we thought he had is here to stay.
To the person upthread who mentioned Cain and Ward, I like Josh Ward but my radio gets turned off from 12 until 3. Chip is irritating and I can't stand to listen to him. I'd rather hear Heather and doubt she'd do worse.
PepperGrinder writes:
Thank you Witch Doctor Papa Shongo for taking the time out of your busy schedule to work with Crompton.
richvol writes:
Agreed,I can listen to Josh Ward but Chip Cain is terrible. What an irritant his voice is and a very negative attitude.
tonyvick#213307 writes:
I believe the real cure was that he and his dad drove as far away from Fulmer and the gang as possible...
douglasawilliams#582863 writes:
All the insults, death threats and abuse he took last season took a heavy toll on him. He did look much better last Saturday, albeit, a very weak opponent. Think CLK had a good plan early in the game, to throw the easy flare passes to get him some confidence. That fade to Teague was a beauty. Don't forget, Crompton has shown he can throw the bomb. Jon wasn't perfect, he missed a few receivers and definitely should have seen how close that linebacker was that tipped for the interception. Still, no blatant interceptions or miss handling of the ball in any way which plagued him last season and was a contributing factor to being the 115th rated offense last year (and CPF losing his job). Better athletes on offense always helps, Brown, Oku, Teague, Nuke and finally Warren, should give the VOLS firepower they desperately needed last year. Based on last Saturday's performance, Teague has earned full time starter status at wide receiver. One of the criticism's of CPF, was he didn't use more talented freshmen ahead of more experienced starters and I believe that was accurate. CLK did start talented freshmen. Can Crompton handle extreme pressure that he will definitely see against UF and UA? Jury is out and time will tell.
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