Tennessee is not an Elite team (poll)

[Volador]

Georgia, Bama and Gators have not feared UT in decades, and their records against us give reason for this. Coach Heupel came into a mess and made us relevant again, which was much needed and appreciated.

So, here is the underlying Q in our/Vol Nation's attempt to become an Elite Team and whereby our SEC foes will actually fear playing the Volunteers.

If you had ONE choice (and yes, there are a million variables to this question) to secure either better coaching or players (and you cannot select both), which would you personally prefer?


PS This is not an indictment on the current team/coaches however, we now have two losses w a brutal schedule remaining. So, that being said, if you had a magic wand and could be granted one of the 2 choices, which would you select?

 

[reeceb73]

Everyone blames the coaches, and they certainly deserve some criticism, but we need more players.

Better receivers, TE, LBs, safeties and corners.

 

[TAF]

I BLAME....the OP!

 

[IUGradVol]

Defensive playmakers and quality depth on defense. Period.

 

[midnight orange]

We’ve got the players but they’re injured. I think the season looks a lot different with McCoy and Gibson

 

[NATHAN05]

I've seen a lot of great coaches do more with less..........so if you're forcing a "rock and a hard place" decision........sophies choice says elite coaches in all facets. Recruiting, motivation, X and O's, in game play, in game adjustments, etc.

 

[AllVols]

I just think Vols are and have lacked a killer instinct. They let bama and uga stomp in us year in and year out. We haven't seen FL yet, you might as well add them to this list. No killer instinct.

 

[Other_Guy]

We've seen coaching flaws in the best of the best when talent is even. Heupel and co with Georgia, Bama, Texas and OSU rosters would still win a ton of games. It would remind me of Sark.

 

[Willie Hutch]

I've seen a lot of great coaches do more with less..........so if you're forcing a "rock and a hard place" decision........sophies choice says elite coaches in all facets. Recruiting, motivation, X and O's, in game play, in game adjustments, etc.

Genuinely curious to hear a few that come to mind when you say “a lot of great coaches do more with less”

 

[Usaf redhorse]

I just think Vols are and have lacked a killer instinct. They let bama and uga stomp in us year in and year out. We haven't seen FL yet, you might as well add them to this list. No killer instinct.

We made far too many mistakes last night and for that I blame the coaching staff! Coach H has done wonderful things the past 4 years, but maybe he has grown too comfortable with his position and the $ that Tennessee is throwing at him! He should not get another contract and or extension until he proves he really wants to win at Tennessee! Let’s start slow and say he needs to at least win the SEC first and then maybe just maybe a national championship? if he can coach them up and win in the swamp for the first time in ages that would be a good start!

 

[#1fulmerite]

Just wait till CJH “gets our guys in here”.

 

[Butch s]

Everyone blames the coaches, and they certainly deserve some criticism, but we need more players.

Better receivers, TE, LBs, safeties and corners.

Who brings in the players that we have???

 

[C-south]

Everyone blames the coaches, and they certainly deserve some criticism, but we need more players.

Better receivers, TE, LBs, safeties and corners.

He’s had 5 years of recruiting to get them.

 

[D-Vols]

Most Of the Db’s are afraid to hit, they don’t wrap up, they don’t jar the bones, just use a shoulder and hope they go down. Where is the Eric Berry, Al Wilson or John Henderson? No killer instinct as someone else said.
Those players have got to have a certain level of meanness and the defensive coaches to instill skills.

 

[Tnphil]

Everyone blames the coaches, and they certainly deserve some criticism, but we need more players.

Better receivers, TE, LBs, safeties and corners.

That's the responsibility of the guy making 9 million per year. The buck stops with him.

 

[CPVOL]

We’ve got the players but they’re injured. I think the season looks a lot different with McCoy and Gibson

Definitely would help. But we need help at LB.
These games are hard to watch if you single out the Lb play each series. We’re slow, not physical and seem to always, always bite on play action and can’t locate the ball.

 

[Butch s]

We made far too many mistakes last night and for that I blame the coaching staff! Coach H has done wonderful things the past 4 years, but maybe he has grown too comfortable with his position and the $ that Tennessee is throwing at him! He should not get another contract and or extension until he proves he really wants to win at Tennessee! Let’s start slow and say he needs to at least win the SEC first and then maybe just maybe a national championship? if he can coach them up and win in the swamp for the first time in ages that would be a good start!

In the words of marvelous Marvin hagler. It’s hard to get up and run at 5 in the morning, when you’re sleeping on satin sheets

 

[VolCalls]

I just think Vols are and have lacked a killer instinct. They let bama and uga stomp in us year in and year out. We haven't seen FL yet, you might as well add them to this list. No killer instinct.

That’s a reflection of leadership - i.e. the coaches.

 

[preacherrandy]

You can teach a 3 star proper techniques of tackling, you can teach a 3 star proper eye discipline, you can teach a 3 star proper lane assignment. We have many 4 and 5 stars so, that means something is wrong in the teaching department. Its been the same problem for the past 4 years. Something had to change.

 

[Usaf redhorse]

In the words of marvelous Marvin hagler. It’s hard to get up and run at 5 in the morning, when you’re sleeping on satin sheets

Yes sir!! This team including all the coaching staff need to watch all the Rocky movies!!

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

The only answer is coaching. Coaches bring in the players. It all starts there.

 

[volfan102455]

Good grief! Back away from the ledge.

 

[Butch s]

You can teach a 3 star proper techniques of tackling, you can teach a 3 star proper eye discipline, you can teach a 3 star proper lane assignment. We have many 4 and 5 stars so, that means something is wrong in the teaching department. Its been the same problem for the past 4 years. Something had to change.

Apparently we can’t teach anyone to tackle

 

[NATHAN05]

Genuinely curious to hear a few that come to mind when you say “a lot of great coaches do more with less”

Let me first of all say I dont necessarily want any coaching changes. I think we're a different team if McCoy and Gibson are playing and Banks could leave them on islands and roll the dice more with blitz packages and exotic looks etc. I think those injuries took some wind out the sails. He was a very good DC last year and Im ok giving him a pass this year. I love Heupel and think hes good for the program, although that bunch formation on an obvious passing down was pretty dumb. So im not calling for anyone's heads, but playing OPs game id have to say the following seem to do/and or have done more with less talent:

Chris Petersen: At Boise St he always had an upset or 2 a year against a powerhouse.

Golesh: USF doesn't recruit well here, especially against the big 3, yet hes won and been in many games past year or 2

Matt Campbell: Always seemed to have competitive teams at Iowa St back mid 2000s.

Bill Snyder: Back in the day had good teams at Kansas when he was coaching. Always competitive

That's just top of my head, again im not saying these are world beaters or deserve NFL HC jobs.....but there is something to be said throughout the history of sports in general about coaches who can see diamonds in the rough and motivate their teams to play above their talent levels. And again, im not saying we need new coaches, just was playing along with OPs poll.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

For the people saying players, I’d suggest looking at someone like Vandy right now. No way do they have our talent level but look what they’re doing. That’s coaching, leadership, confidence, attitude. It’s contagious from the top down. Leadership means something.

Sure we need some more great recruits, but that alone isn’t the answer. Look at the past years when FSU and A&M were absolutely loaded but blew it. Coaching matters.