TNHopeful505,
I get what you are saying. In fact, all of your follow-up posts have been spot-on. Therefore, I have to ask....who are your top 5 hopefuls?
Yes. Obviously, I would not ever say that we should at first choice throw caution to the wind and hire someone questionable. But, I wouldn't at this point in program history say that we should pass over someone who could help our program just because of mistakes made in the past. In my opinion, if the NCAA deems a mistake that terrible, that person should not be allowed to coach again period. Just my opinion.
My top 5?
I think just about everyone's #1 is Gruden. I mean, you just couldn't ask for a better booster shot than him. Tennessee ties, loves UT, smart coach in terms of X's and O's, Super Bowl winner, NFL ties, would most likely bring an NFL experienced staff, plus, there's not a high school student in the country who doesn't know his face. Would be excellent for recruiting, and he would bring the no-nonsense approach we've been missing. He is my number one, and I'm severely holding onto hope that the people saying he's coming is right.
#2 would probably be Patterson. I put him here because I don't think Petersen is a real possibility, otherwise he would be my number two. I just think to be in the state of Texas, competing with Texas, A&M, Texas Tech and Baylor for recruits, and yet, still fielding a competitive team that had they have been in a better conference would have probably gone for a National Championship says something about you as a coach. We need someone who can do more with less. Recruiting is always going to come more difficult for Tennessee than it will for a state like Alabama, Georgia, or Florida. We can get elite recruits, but we will always have to have those few diamonds that we need to coach up. I want someone who can spot talent and coach them up and gameplan against the big boys, and I think Patterson does a great job of that.
#3/#4/#5, it's hard to say for me.
I like Charlie Strong. Say what you want, but he has Louisville at 9-1. Louisville. We need someone who knows how to play SEC defense, and he could be that guy. He seems very personable, and would recruit well. People like him a lot. I would not be opposed to him, but I don't see him coming. Louisville has already said they're prepared to make him the highest paid coach in the NCAA if they have to. I think they're bluffing. But he himself has said that he's not the type to leave in the middle of a rebuilding project, and I personally believe him. I don't think we get him, but I do think he is a solid hire.
I know many call him Fulmer 2.0, but Tommy Tuberville just won't get out of my head. I know he got fired at Auburn, just like we fired Fulmer. But the difference is, he's still coaching. And he's still winning games. And he's beating quality opponents. And he's slappin the fire out of assistants that aren't doing their job! I like that for some reason.
I would also be okay with Gus Malzahn. The guy can run an offense. And I think this year's Auburn collapse will only make people see how he and Cam Newton were that Auburn team's success. He would recruit well. But he won't leave after only one year. People just don't do that (except Lane).
It's easier for me to say who I wouldn't have at the top of my list. I wouldn't have Kirby Smart. I just don't think you should be able to waltz right into a SEC head coaching job without being a head coach.
But that's really about it. Gundy (not coming, but would be nice), Cutcliffe (would be okay depending on the staff he brought), Jimbo Fisher would be a fantastic hire (but won't happen, he has it made at FSU). Bob Stoops might leave OU, but not sure how well he would do in the SEC. Kingsbury needs HC experience first. Jay Gruden would be a fantastic hire as well, if it wound up that way. Greg Roman I don't know that much about. Petrino would win here, he's won every where he's been. Tressel would come with some penalties, but would probably do well in recruiting, though I don't think he would be a good fit here.
Like I said....I really don't care...as long as they win.
