I wasn't happy at first, but after hearing the man, after doing a little more research on his past accomplishments, i think he's just what this program needs. A boost of energy. Someone who understands you need to bring in great teachers to build a great team.
Let's just compare him to Dooley for instance. Hired 3 years ago just like Dooley. Previous coach departed and cupboard bare ... just like Dooley. Massive defections from the team ... just like Dooley. Year one, he only went 4-8 at Cincinatti because he did have to rebuild. But he did rebuild. After that, only lost 6 games the next two years. I'd call that a 10-fold upgrad over what we had?
I listen to a talk radio host who loves to say the best way to judge a coach is how he does in his own neighborhood. How he does against his conference. The teams who have similar facilities and bugets to his own. Butch Jones has won championships wherever he's gone.
Only pure pessimism states "well, he was only at Cincinatti, he'll never recruit well at Tennessee". From what I can tell so far, players go to war for this guy and over-achieve. If it's one thing we'll need over the next couple of years, it's over-achieving players ... then I think we can start recruiting in the top 10 again.
Even if you hate the hire ... you still gotta get behind the man, right? If you don't think so, what are you doing here?