13' GA S Vonn Bell (Ohio State signee)

[LynxVol]

For starters we need a Chancellor that cares for athletics. We need the athletic department to be involved with the tutoring of our players so someone like Lanier doesnt slip between the cracks. Tennessee football can support its self financially and then some, but Cheek just takes to much. Its all kinds of little things that need changed. Hopefully the changes start very soon. A lot of important people are really pushing for some changes. Some very prominent boosters have found out recently that money is not all that matters to a coach and now understand some changes need to be made.

Fulmer has preached this for a while. Go ask him about what it really takes to be a successful program. Sure, talent and good coaching are musts, but that is definitely not everything.

I've stated it three times now, UT is not on a level playing field as other SEC schools due to the administration.

 

[ItStartedatHessHall]

For starters we need a Chancellor that cares for athletics. We need the athletic department to be involved with the tutoring of our players so someone like Lanier doesnt slip between the cracks. Tennessee football can support its self financially and then some, but Cheek just takes to much. Its all kinds of little things that need changed. Hopefully the changes start very soon. A lot of important people are really pushing for some changes. Some very prominent boosters have found out recently that money is not all that matters to a coach and now understand some changes need to be made.

Lanier & others slipped through the cracks because the Thornton Center put some people over football who had little experience in the academic support field. Having duel reporting lines from academics/athletics for the Thornton Center is a good thing. The key is to have people in place as advisors for the team who have experience and have proven they're rock stars at their jobs.

In case you cannot tell, this is in my breadbasket like I'm sure a certain department in UT Athletics is in yours. At this point, people on the outside in athletics & academic support do not look at UT as being a good place to go right now. Even for me, an alum, I don't know if I could take a job there right now even if the pay & title was attractive.

 

[skeeter33418]

Lanier & others slipped through the cracks because the Thornton Center put some people over football who had little experience in the academic support field. Having duel reporting lines from academics/athletics for the Thornton Center is a good thing. The key is to have people in place as advisors for the team who have experience and have proven they're rock stars at their jobs.

In case you cannot tell, this is in my breadbasket like I'm sure a certain department in UT Athletics is in yours. At this point, people on the outside in athletics & academic support do not look at UT as being a good place to go right now. Even for me, an alum, I don't know if I could take a job there right now even if the pay & title was attractive.

Exactly and this is why we have trouble getting a coach we want. No one but Hart and Gilbert know whats going to happen, not sure they know yet. Most around here just dont feel Hart will hire another Risk at coach unless his name is Smart. Hart will not be pushed by boosters or anyone else on what to do, he will listen tho. For all we know they are planning on making a change even if we win out, no one really knows. Those 2 have not told anyone anything. We'll know in 3 or 4 weeks.

 

[ItStartedatHessHall]

Exactly and this is why we have trouble getting a coach we want. No one but Hart and Gilbert know whats going to happen, not sure they know yet. Most around here just dont feel Hart will hire another Risk at coach unless his name is Smart. Hart will not be pushed by boosters or anyone else on what to do, he will listen tho. For all we know they are planning on making a change even if we win out, no one really knows. Those 2 have not told anyone anything. We'll know in 3 or 4 weeks.

You know, I had no idea this was going on a few years ago when I was a GA in the AD. Now that I've gotten myself established at another SEC school, I look back at UT & wonder how it got so bad. I knew that Hamilton's administration was doomed for a few years & run very poorly, but I didn't realize how far the problems extended. Do you get the sense that things are getting remotely better, or is it going to take a university-wide shakeup with things getting worse before they get better?

 

[Ulysees E. McGill]

This must be why LWS says we will never be relevant again. Now it makes total sense. The only way this crap gets changed is for the whole fanbase to quit going to games. And that is like cutting off your nose to spite your face. This is the most depressed and hopeless feeling I have ever had as a Volunteer fan.:cray:

 

[Weezer]

Exactly and this is why we have trouble getting a coach we want. No one but Hart and Gilbert know whats going to happen, not sure they know yet. Most around here just dont feel Hart will hire another Risk at coach unless his name is Smart. Hart will not be pushed by boosters or anyone else on what to do, he will listen tho. For all we know they are planning on making a change even if we win out, no one really knows. Those 2 have not told anyone anything. We'll know in 3 or 4 weeks.

Skeet, I've always appreciated the info you bring to the board. Hit or miss, it's always been insightful. But the picture you're painting is bleak. I just can't believe UT would allow a few stubborn people to slaughter their bell cow. Someone has to have the power to put a stop to it. Could Gov. Haslam apply pressure to remove Cheek? The amount of money the program stands to lose if the ship isn't righted is staggering. A losing team isn't gonna fill Neyland Stadium, and upset boosters aren't going to be rushing for their checkbooks if their money isn't used the way they want. Financials across the board would plummet. Surely someone in power has the intelligence to see this, because if they don't, we're screwed.

 

[skeeter33418]

You know, I had no idea this was going on a few years ago when I was a GA in the AD. Now that I've gotten myself established at another SEC school, I look back at UT & wonder how it got so bad. I knew that Hamilton's administration was doomed for a few years & run very poorly, but I didn't realize how far the problems extended. Do you get the sense that things are getting remotely better, or is it going to take a university-wide shakeup with things getting worse before they get better?

I think Hart has done a good job about getting attention on a few things that need fixed. We have some powerful people trying to get things changed. I doubt the fixes happen over night, but i do feel they will be fixed at some point. Under Hamilton we knew things would never get fixed.

 

[skeeter33418]

Skeet, I've always appreciated the info you bring to the board. Hit or miss, it's always been insightful. But the picture you're painting is bleak. I just can't believe UT would allow a few stubborn people to slaughter their bell cow. Someone has to have the power to put a stop to it. Could Gov. Haslam apply pressure to remove Cheek? The amount of money the program stands to lose if the ship isn't righted is staggering. A losing team isn't gonna fill Neyland Stadium, and upset boosters aren't going to be rushing for their checkbooks if their money isn't used the way they want. Financials across the board would plummet. Surely someone in power has the intelligence to see this, because if they don't, we're screwed.

Hart just wants us to be on an even playing field with other sec schools. Majors at other schools may not be majors here, a passing grade at other sec schools are failing grades here, other sec schools the ad gets to stay on top and be involved with the tutoring of athletes while at Tennessee the ad is pretty much left in the dark.

If 50,000 fans refused to buy tickets and protested outside of the stadium for change, something like that would most likely get the fastest results. Im not talking about a coaching change either, a change at the top needs to take place or atleast enough pressure that would make them give some power back to the ad.Hamilton was always afraid to bring up the issues but Hart is not. He is going head to head with Cheek and hopefully it works out.

 

[skeeter33418]

This must be why LWS says we will never be relevant again. Now it makes total sense. The only way this crap gets changed is for the whole fanbase to quit going to games. And that is like cutting off your nose to spite your face. This is the most depressed and hopeless feeling I have ever had as a Volunteer fan.:cray:

We'll be relevant again. In 2002 Dickey left Tennessee, things have been going down hill since. You cant have someone running the ad that is spineless, Hamilton. We have an ad with a spine now.

 

[TideWarrior]

Hart just wants us to be on an even playing field with other sec schools. Majors at other schools may not be majors here, a passing grade at other sec schools are failing grades here, other sec schools the ad gets to stay on top and be involved with the tutoring of athletes while at Tennessee the ad is pretty much left in the dark.

If 50,000 fans refused to buy tickets and protested outside of the stadium for change, something like that would most likely get the fastest results. Im not talking about a coaching change either, a change at the top needs to take place or at least enough pressure that would make them give some power back to the ad.Hamilton was always afraid to bring up the issues but Hart is not. He is going head to head with Cheek and hopefully it works out.

That is because of the issues with prior control with the football program at UT. I am not saying academics are not better controlled at any school, but at UT under Dickey a lot of red flags were raised that caused the AD to not control that part anymore. UNC is facing the same thing currently.

CNNSI.com - SI Online - Mike Fish - Shooting Straight - CNNSI.com's Mike Fish: Tennessee scandal heating up - Friday May 17, 2002 03:35 PM

 

[Ericvol2096]

That is because of the issues with prior control with the football program at UT. I am not saying academics are not better controlled at any school, but at UT under Dickey a lot of red flags were raised that caused the AD to not control that part anymore. UNC is facing the same thing currently.

CNNSI.com - SI Online - Mike Fish - Shooting Straight - CNNSI.com's Mike Fish: Tennessee scandal heating up - Friday May 17, 2002 03:35 PM

I remember this...you never know the things that will effect the program in the future.

 

[skeeter33418]

That is because of the issues with prior control with the football program at UT. I am not saying academics are not better controlled at any school, but at UT under Dickey a lot of red flags were raised that caused the AD to not control that part anymore. UNC is facing the same thing currently.

CNNSI.com - SI Online - Mike Fish - Shooting Straight - CNNSI.com's Mike Fish: Tennessee scandal heating up - Friday May 17, 2002 03:35 PM

Every successful program works in the grey areas just like we did back then and still do today. All schools were doing the same thing. She would have been much better off with out claiming our athletes skipped the clearinghouse process, that statement ruined a lot of peoples agenda.

 

[TideWarrior]

Every successful program works in the grey areas just like we did back then and still do today. All schools were doing the same thing. She would have been much better off with out claiming our athletes skipped the clearinghouse process, that statement ruined a lot of peoples agenda.

I agree everyone does it and since the NCAA Clearinghouse has set the bar so low to be cleared what do they expect. And since the the football staff or AD spends so much time with the athlete they should be the ones governing it because they can monitor it better.

 

[MTSUDaff]

Every successful program works in the grey areas just like we did back then and still do today. All schools were doing the same thing. She would have been much better off with out claiming our athletes skipped the clearinghouse process, that statement ruined a lot of peoples agenda.

Skeeter, I didn't want to start a whole new thread on this, and it certainly doesn't have to go past a single response, but have you heard anything from within about just how much play calling Conklin is going to be doing on Saturday? It's obvious he is going to have quite a bit, but I was curious is people within the program think he is basically taking over the duties for the rest of the season prior to Sunseri getting fired (which I don't see any way around)? And one step further, if we show marginal ability these last few games, would Conklin be considered for the DC job since he has already had success with it at the Citadel? TIA

 

[skeeter33418]

Skeeter, I didn't want to start a whole new thread on this, and it certainly doesn't have to go past a single response, but have you heard anything from within about just how much play calling Conklin is going to be doing on Saturday? It's obvious he is going to have quite a bit, but I was curious is people within the program think he is basically taking over the duties for the rest of the season prior to Sunseri getting fired (which I don't see any way around)? And one step further, if we show marginal ability these last few games, would Conklin be considered for the DC job since he has already had success with it at the Citadel? TIA

I have no idea if he would be considered for a dc position, but his resposibilitys have def grown recently.

 

[skeeter33418]

I agree everyone does it and since the NCAA Clearinghouse has set the bar so low to be cleared what do they expect. And since the the football staff or AD spends so much time with the athlete they should be the ones governing it because they can monitor it better.

Yes. When the coaches here find out an athlete may have grade issues, its generally to late to help. If the coaches are being informed from the beginning they can take action in a hurry to make sure the kid is going to class or putting in the extra work or what ever the case may be.

 

[goooooovols]

I have no idea if he would be considered for a dc position, but his resposibilitys have def grown recently.

Conklin seems like he knows what he is talking about too.

 

[jjay2518]

If Hart manages to dig us out of this mess, he deserves his own statue or something. It sounds like he's really got his work cut out for him fighting some powerful people in high places.

 

[LynxVol]

Wait, so people are certain now that Sunseri is going to be let go after this season, if Dooley stays?

This is just getting crazy.

 

[TNfan3]

And just who do we get to replace him? Gruden is not coming here.

Hope for Gruden if not petrino would be a upgrade at least he can win.

 

[I4Jay]

with Tennessee fans, there is always a "boogeyman" ...

no more displaced blame.

Coach Dooley and his staff are the reasons why we arent winning games.

there are teams with many more external problems than us, and they have managed to win conference games.

Stop Making excuses for this Coach.

 

[The Breakerboy]

with Tennessee fans, there is always a "boogeyman" ...

no more displaced blame.

Coach Dooley and his staff are the reasons why we arent winning games.

there are teams with many more external problems than us, and they have managed to win conference games.

Stop Making excuses for this Coach.

:salute:

Kiffin and crew recruited well here. Fulmer recruited well here after 2002. He just got lazy late in his career. Dooley goes after what he calls foundation guys. Such a BS philosophy.

I don't want this coach or any coach associated directly with Saban on the UT sideline anytime soon.

 

[OCIVol]

:salute:

Kiffin and crew recruited well here. Fulmer recruited well here after 2002. He just got lazy late in his career. Dooley goes after what he calls foundation guys. Such a BS philosophy.

I don't want this coach or any coach associated directly with Saban on the UT sideline anytime soon.

His 2009 class has been instrumental in turning UT around. :crazy:

 

[skeeter33418]

with Tennessee fans, there is always a "boogeyman" ...

no more displaced blame.

Coach Dooley and his staff are the reasons why we arent winning games.

there are teams with many more external problems than us, and they have managed to win conference games.

Stop Making excuses for this Coach.

The people that need removed and the issues that need fixed are exactly why we have a coach Dooley here.

 

[skeeter33418]

If Hart manages to dig us out of this mess, he deserves his own statue or something. It sounds like he's really got his work cut out for him fighting some powerful people in high places.

We have some powerful check writers that are now wanting change too. Hart has some help. Hamilton would never fight Cheek or anyone else within the administration, Hart will.