Coachery

#151
#151
So there is a giant rift in the coaching room... this is worse than locker room rifts. That’s not going to fix itself. I would fire everyone, including the rats and start fresh.
 
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#153
#153
Stoerner Fumbles said:
I’m no insider, but... One of the great BS intros of the forum.

I can share with medium high certainty from a friend who is very inside:

Ansley has done preliminary interviews with pro teams.
Muschamp has interviewed with Pruitt and Fultummy to be DC. May happen. May not.
Chaney does not agree with development trajectory of line or QB. He does not like the amount of cross-training of line, nor their lack of weekly contact or physical regimen. Last year, he intervened and took them over for almost a month. This year he did not. Chaney has spent time with every QB over the last three weeks. He prefers Shrout, but has not liked Weinke’s coaching, or his way of coaching details. Chaney created a simplified playbook and check down scheme, and both Shrout and Bailey did well. Shrout did better. Pruitt is not a fan of Shrout. Something will break here. Also, Chaney has enormous respect for Osovet, but believes he’s being misused. Osovet may go. He’s well liked but a weird fit.
Tee and Pruitt butt heads on WR priorities. Tee is a bit checked out. Tee believes in route specificity, details, and aggressive blocking. He wants receivers to play aggressively like Jennings, and fight CB’s and block. Oddly Pruitt wants speed and height, but fought against overt physicality and high traffic style of last year’s WR’s. Chaney loves passing to the middle, TE drags, and aggressive play against DB’s ala Da’Rick or Juan. Pruitt wants to focus on speed and height, and low risk screens and long routes. Not a fan of back shoulder throws, crossing routes, slants or, TE drags. Hesitant to use slot, and wides over the middle. Many O calls are overridden by Pruitt. Bubble screen with multiple blockers has been called many times by Chaney, overridden by Pruitt, until last night. Chaney is highly adaptable to a variety of head coaching personalities, but is fatigued by Pruitt’s interference in micro-details. If he doesn’t get more control and some staff changes, he might go.

On D, Linebacker body development and technique development has taken a huge step back. Henry T is now too light to hold area, and too slow to cover. Outside LB’s are always caught between run and pass coverage, and are responsible for most blown middle assignments. DB’s are loyal to Ansley, but get mixed signals from him and Pruitt.

Back on O, RB is a happy group. Chaney believes it’s our only fundamental strength. Graham delivers on blocking, ball security, pass patterns and running style. Best position coach on the team. He and Tee are close. They will probably coach together in the future. TE is improving as a group.

Look for Nieds to move, Osovet to move or leave, Ansley to leave, Tee to leave or change role, Graham is looking, Weinke and Friend to leave. Muschamp coming is higher than 50/50, but not by much. Rocker may also return. That’s pure speculation from my friend, but Muschamp believes he’s the best DL coach in D1, and Rocker did not leave here on bad terms.

There is substantial dissatisfaction with Fulmer among a strong group of boosters, and an equally supportive patient group of boosters supporting him. He has everyone in the AD on his side, down to every secretary. He’s supported by Barnes, and key people in state government. Fulmer has support of chancellor and board. While there is some real contempt for Pruitt, it’s highly unlikely that consensus could be formed on firing him. Position coaching changes will happen before holiday break. If there’s a Vanderbilt game, and loss that might be the only straw that could break the camel this year. Otherwise this is the chess board as seen from a friend who sees the show up close.
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This should have been a TLDR but read anyway. Good show ole chap!
 
#155
#155
sjt18 said:
I suspect you are wrong. Pruitt still thinks the job of the offense is to win field position and protect the defense.
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What makes the most sense about the OP's info is Pruitts handling of the offense. Although a lot of it might be contextalized by having JG out there who can't throw slants, crossing routes etc. But if he straight up doesn't believe in the thing all great modern offenses have then he is truly in over his head. The dude should trust Chaney way before himself when it comes to offense. My goodness.
 
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#156
#156
PlanetVolunteer said:
What makes the most sense about the OP's info is Pruitts handling of the offense. Although a lot of it might be contextalized by having JG out there who can't throw slants, crossing routes etc. But if he straight up doesn't believe in the thing all great modern offenses have then he is truly in over his head. The dude should trust Chaney way before himself when it comes to offense. My goodness.
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If I'm in his shoes... I tell Chaney I want 35 ppg... then walk away. There are times when all of us can be our own worst enemy by getting in the way of subordinates that are better at something than we are.

BUT... that would require Pruitt to change his philosophy from a "defense" leads to an "offense" leads... and then give control of the O to someone else. Not much chance of that happening IMO.
 
#157
#157
PlanetVolunteer said:
What makes the most sense about the OP's info is Pruitts handling of the offense. Although a lot of it might be contextalized by having JG out there who can't throw slants, crossing routes etc. But if he straight up doesn't believe in the thing all great modern offenses have then he is truly in over his head. The dude should trust Chaney way before himself when it comes to offense. My goodness.
Click to expand...
I’m looking for offensive staff to have non Pruitt connections. If OL coach is a Chaney guy or the Callaway guy being interviewed has a Tee connection, maybe that’s a sign for an autonomous OC
 
#158
#158
Stoerner Fumbles said:
I’m no insider, but... One of the great BS intros of the forum.

I can share with medium high certainty from a friend who is very inside:

Ansley has done preliminary interviews with pro teams.
Muschamp has interviewed with Pruitt and Fultummy to be DC. May happen. May not.
Chaney does not agree with development trajectory of line or QB. He does not like the amount of cross-training of line, nor their lack of weekly contact or physical regimen. Last year, he intervened and took them over for almost a month. This year he did not. Chaney has spent time with every QB over the last three weeks. He prefers Shrout, but has not liked Weinke’s coaching, or his way of coaching details. Chaney created a simplified playbook and check down scheme, and both Shrout and Bailey did well. Shrout did better. Pruitt is not a fan of Shrout. Something will break here. Also, Chaney has enormous respect for Osovet, but believes he’s being misused. Osovet may go. He’s well liked but a weird fit.
Tee and Pruitt butt heads on WR priorities. Tee is a bit checked out. Tee believes in route specificity, details, and aggressive blocking. He wants receivers to play aggressively like Jennings, and fight CB’s and block. Oddly Pruitt wants speed and height, but fought against overt physicality and high traffic style of last year’s WR’s. Chaney loves passing to the middle, TE drags, and aggressive play against DB’s ala Da’Rick or Juan. Pruitt wants to focus on speed and height, and low risk screens and long routes. Not a fan of back shoulder throws, crossing routes, slants or, TE drags. Hesitant to use slot, and wides over the middle. Many O calls are overridden by Pruitt. Bubble screen with multiple blockers has been called many times by Chaney, overridden by Pruitt, until last night. Chaney is highly adaptable to a variety of head coaching personalities, but is fatigued by Pruitt’s interference in micro-details. If he doesn’t get more control and some staff changes, he might go.

On D, Linebacker body development and technique development has taken a huge step back. Henry T is now too light to hold area, and too slow to cover. Outside LB’s are always caught between run and pass coverage, and are responsible for most blown middle assignments. DB’s are loyal to Ansley, but get mixed signals from him and Pruitt.

Back on O, RB is a happy group. Chaney believes it’s our only fundamental strength. Graham delivers on blocking, ball security, pass patterns and running style. Best position coach on the team. He and Tee are close. They will probably coach together in the future. TE is improving as a group.

Look for Nieds to move, Osovet to move or leave, Ansley to leave, Tee to leave or change role, Graham is looking, Weinke and Friend to leave. Muschamp coming is higher than 50/50, but not by much. Rocker may also return. That’s pure speculation from my friend, but Muschamp believes he’s the best DL coach in D1, and Rocker did not leave here on bad terms.

There is substantial dissatisfaction with Fulmer among a strong group of boosters, and an equally supportive patient group of boosters supporting him. He has everyone in the AD on his side, down to every secretary. He’s supported by Barnes, and key people in state government. Fulmer has support of chancellor and board. While there is some real contempt for Pruitt, it’s highly unlikely that consensus could be formed on firing him. Position coaching changes will happen before holiday break. If there’s a Vanderbilt game, and loss that might be the only straw that could break the camel this year. Otherwise this is the chess board as seen from a friend who sees the show up close.
Click to expand...
Ah, the proverbial friend that is "inside"...
 
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#159
#159
Stoerner Fumbles said:
I can’t tell you odds, but the talks have happened. Pruitt and Muschamp have the closest friendship of any two SEC coaches. Sexton is making a strong push for the move to UT. If he doesn’t DC for us, he will somewhere in the SEC. The numbers are too easy. SC pays for a 1mm DC. What’s not to like?
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That isn’t a good indicator. Both are head cases. Defensive philosophy is changing fast.
 
#160
#160
Stoerner Fumbles said:
Wanted to check in on the thread. Some of these bits and pieces are shaking out. Shrout, not loved by Pruitt, is leaving. Friend is gone. Ansley, Tee, and Graham are all interviewing. Nieds is ground zero for the NCAA stuff. Pruitt has been given no latitude or budget for filling empty spots on staff. So no new progress there. My friend who rated a zero chance of Pruitt being fired previously said that the lack of communication between staff, and Pruitt and AD is very strange. In theory, the normal path would be to replace key coaches quickly in case any of them would attract signees on the second signing day. Right now, nothing. The Muschamp thing looked like a done deal before. It will be interesting to see where this goes. The original post was three weeks ago, but a lot has happened since then. My friend is a close friend of a staff member, his neighbor, and he also has a professional service’s relationship with two people on staff. While he doesn’t interact with them daily. He does talk to one staff member at least weekly. He describes the entire staff situation as “cancer”. There are huge rifts after the leak. A staffer who is leaving leaked the information to both a booster and two local reporters. That staffer is currently still on staff (officially) but will be gone soon. I asked my friend who was left on Pruitt’s side. His answer was the only coach on the current staff who respects Pruitt’s management just left for SC. He said Chaney can put up with anything, but he has no respect for Pruitt’s authority or integrity. Chaney’s recs for line and QB rotation are not followed. My friend said Pruitt just believes that micro-management and abuse is the way coaching works. Pruitt is genuinely surprised that people are jumping ship. Muschamp might still come if Pruitt survives. Pruitt would like Bobo to come and oversee QB’s but that discussion is currently stalled too. Chaney would like to keep Tee and Graham, but neither are happy. More to come as I hear it.
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If this is true Pruitt will be gone by the end of the week or should be, IMO.
Let a new coach come in and see who he wants to keep in the current staff or let him clean up everything from top to bottom.
 
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#164
#164
EastOrange#GBI said:
Bring in Freeze,Gus and Muschamp. We’ll at least be mentioned for a SEC title by year 3.
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I would take Muschamp and pass on Freeze and Gus. Freeze just signs an extension through 2026 and we can not afford his bye out at Liberty, plus we are smart enough to not hire him. Chaney will likely stay, so there is no position for Gus. Muschamp can bring Rocker and the defense would be in great shape. I think Tee has caused a lot of rip in the offense and is the cause of a lot of the offensive problems. He is not a very good coach and not worth the problems he creates. Weinke has to go. If Fulmer doesn't stay, we need to look at the ADs at UAB and UTC again. They are both Tennessee people and have performed very well at UAB and UTC.
 
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#165
#165
Short update: Pruitt is operating as business as usual, showing up, calling recruits. No staff meetings on recruiting, or anything else. Fulmer asked to provide a summary on investigation and state of the state before major hires or contracts of new coaches will be entertained. Tee and Graham are awaiting clarity before deciding to stay or go. While Fulmer prefers core continuity, and a team of Chaney, Tee, Graham, and Ansley; things are fragile. If the report reveals different accounts of events that are irreconcilable, things could become a terrible mess. Fulmer fears a disaster if there is a coaching change that wrecks TN 22 class. Pruitt has been 100% focused on recruiting. Ty Simpson is seen as a once a decade QB by Chaney and others. While my friend has no specific info on interviews, hiring, etc, he said he’d be shocked if staff is still in limbo early next week.
 
#166
#166
Stoerner Fumbles said:
Short update: Pruitt is operating as business as usual, showing up, calling recruits. No staff meetings on recruiting, or anything else. Fulmer asked to provide a summary on investigation and state of the state before major hires or contracts of new coaches will be entertained. Tee and Graham are awaiting clarity before deciding to stay or go. While Fulmer prefers core continuity, and a team of Chaney, Tee, Graham, and Ansley; things are fragile. If the report reveals different accounts of events that are irreconcilable, things could become a terrible mess. Fulmer fears a disaster if there is a coaching change that wrecks TN 22 class. Pruitt has been 100% focused on recruiting. Ty Simpson is seen as a once a decade QB by Chaney and others. While my friend has no specific info on interviews, hiring, etc, he said he’d be shocked if staff is still in limbo early next week.
Click to expand...
No surprise that Fulmer is terrified of change.... or that loyalty is clouding his judgment.
 
#167
#167
Also: Those who remember the Pearl debacle know that a staff member who lies will be given three plus chances to “correct” their memory of events. They’ll be interviewed a second time by the internal inspector, the AD, and finally be allowed to comment on the written report. Fulmer is not going to let two conflicting accounts of the events get sent to the NCAA.
 
#168
#168
Amazing that Pruitt thinks he can recruit as an “I probably won’t be here next year” coach.

He can’t even recruit his current staff or players to hang around.
 
#169
#169
Current coaching staff:
HC Pruitt
OC Chaney
DC/DBs Ansley
OL VACANT
QB Weinke
WR Martin (contract not renewed yet)
RB Graham
TE Osovet
DL VACANT
ILB Neidermeyer (contract not renewed)
OLB Felton
I’m not sure about who’s contract is set to expire at the end of the month so feel free to edit/correct this.
 
#170
#170
I don’t think most of you will enjoy this news, but Fulmer spent last week assuring signees, parents, potential signees for this class, and even 22 prospects that the university is behind Pruitt. I don’t think Boyd or Plowman are going to go out on a limb publicly as there is nothing to gain by taking a stance now. Three trustee terms expired last night, and they will be replaced soon by new faces. Despite pressure by boosters, no one wanted to take responsibility for a change given the financial uncertainty and recent leadership changes. Fulmer is going to batten the hatches and get behind his guy, for now. Contracts of Nieds and Tee are up this month. Weinke is a target for firing, but I don’t know how the financial caution weighs on that given his remaining year. I think they university is fully prepared to call 8-4, or 7-5 a success and keep rolling. There are boosters who hate this outcome, but it’ll take a big infraction involving the head coach to force a change. Pruitt has preferred candidates to fill existing holes and new ones. I’d expect movement on that next week.
 
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#171
#171
It's like I've said ,UT is a business and they are about making money and not giving it away. Their inability to hire a coach to take this school back to the prominence it once enjoyed is a direct reflection of the disfunction of those who are in charge and have been for way to long.

We are nothing more than the laughing stock of the SEC in football and football has been our "Bell Cow" for decades. We were once the program many not only in the SEC but in the COUNTRY tried to emulate and now look at us. We have a split and disgruntled fan base, an inept group of leaders that it appears cares nothing about the program other than a money source and a football image that is being absolutely dismantled by the ones that profess to loving it.

Our problems started 20 years ago when we got fat and lazy. We forgot what got us here and the cheering of "HOW ABOUT THEM VOLS " falls on deaf ears. Sad, truly sad but we are what we are and will continue down this road until someone has the gumption to make a stand and make a change.
 
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#172
#172
Stoerner Fumbles said:
I don’t think most of you will enjoy this news, but Fulmer spent last week assuring signees, parents, potential signees for this class, and even 22 prospects that the university is behind Pruitt. I don’t think Boyd or Plowman are going to go out on a limb publicly as there is nothing to gain by taking a stance now. Three trustee terms expired last night, and they will be replaced soon by new faces. Despite pressure by boosters, no one wanted to take responsibility for a change given the financial uncertainty and recent leadership changes. Fulmer is going to batten the hatches and get behind his guy, for now. Contracts of Nieds and Tee are up this month. Weinke is a target for firing, but I don’t know how the financial caution weighs on that given his remaining year. I think they university is fully prepared to call 8-4, or 7-5 a success and keep rolling. There are boosters who hate this outcome, but it’ll take a big infraction involving the head coach to force a change. Pruitt has preferred candidates to fill existing holes and new ones. I’d expect movement on that next week.
Click to expand...
A good coach - with next years schedule - can get us 8 wins. That is not our current coach.
 
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#173
#173
Stoerner Fumbles said:
I don’t think most of you will enjoy this news, but Fulmer spent last week assuring signees, parents, potential signees for this class, and even 22 prospects that the university is behind Pruitt. I don’t think Boyd or Plowman are going to go out on a limb publicly as there is nothing to gain by taking a stance now. Three trustee terms expired last night, and they will be replaced soon by new faces. Despite pressure by boosters, no one wanted to take responsibility for a change given the financial uncertainty and recent leadership changes. Fulmer is going to batten the hatches and get behind his guy, for now. Contracts of Nieds and Tee are up this month. Weinke is a target for firing, but I don’t know how the financial caution weighs on that given his remaining year. I think they university is fully prepared to call 8-4, or 7-5 a success and keep rolling. There are boosters who hate this outcome, but it’ll take a big infraction involving the head coach to force a change. Pruitt has preferred candidates to fill existing holes and new ones. I’d expect movement on that next week.
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Fulmer is part of the reason we are in this mess. There is no shame in hiring Pruitt under those trying circumstances. But there was exactly zero reason for a raise and extension. If Pruitt wanted to take off to coach say...Auburn, we replace him with money paid TO us on the way out. But since he went 3-7, he wouldn’t have even gotten the S Alabama job.

You’re probably right, and Phil can clap and tell everyone we’re “working like heck”. We will finish with 5 or 6 wins, and many on here will ask what was the point of keeping him that extra year.
 
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