Heupel Has Earned the Trust

[FanDude]

Hendon Hooker was one of Tennessee's best QBs, ever. The guy played on a higher level that moved the ball and scored points at will. There are a lot of great QBs in the country, and we expect Nico to be that good. Will he? Nobody knows. Nico definitely improved throughout the season, but he also overthrew open receivers. Sometimes he did not even see them. My hunch is that he and the staff will put in a lot of work in the off-season, that he will take his game up a level if he gets the protection he needs to make those plays. If IFs and BUTTs were candy and nuts, we'd all have a Merry Christmas. As for Coach Heupel, he improved our team from the bottom of the SEC to the top tier. There will be more disappointing losses, but also more thrilling wins. He is a player's coach. I like the guy and think we ought to stay supportive. The best is yet to come.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

You can do whatever the hell you want - I was just making an observation of the mindset here that just can't wait to lash out at the slightest step back, as if any program's path is straight line going up. And the need to start new threads to share their "wisdom".

I'm not wallowing in anything. I never even think about those years except when it's invariably brought up on here by people who can't get past it and want to exist in a constant state of "BVS", something I fortunately never experienced. I was simply using the state the program was in when CJH took over as a reference point to show the astonishing growth over a very short period of time while still having sanctions that limit scholarships.

Having standards while understanding the challenges of maintaining and growing a program in the current climate is fine and I share that feeling. I'm not sure that constant negativity and ignorantly demanding changes based entirely on internet click bait comments and online trolls fits with the idea of "having standards", especially since none of us know what's going on inside the building.

And I'm sorry for you if you don't consider what Heupel has accomplished in four years here as success. All but a tiny handful of programs that exist on a different level than the rest of CFB would kill for that kind of success.

I think most here realize we had a good season all things considered. 10 wins is much better than 3. I certainly understand that. However, myself and some others have also pointed out some shortcomings. I’m not sure that there’s anything wrong with that. My main concern being we haven’t looked good on the road yet, and we looked absolutely lost in Columbus.

 

[FanDude]

I think most here realize we had a good season all things considered. 10 wins is much better than 3. I certainly understand that. However, myself and some others have also pointed out some shortcomings. I’m not sure that there’s anything wrong with that. My main concern being we haven’t looked good on the road yet, and we looked absolutely lost in Columbus.

We whipped the tar out of LSU on the road, but your point is valid if not expressed as an absolute.

 

[modernVol]

Should be obvious that he has earned the trust.

This fanbase has PTSD from all the failed hirings and has to psychotically analyze coaching performance after seemingly every game. Just relax and let Heupel work. He is the guy.

 

[volbound1700]

Should be obvious that he has earned the trust.

This fanbase has PTSD from all the failed hirings and has to psychotically analyze coaching performance after seemingly every game. Just relax and let Heupel work. He is the guy.

Mike Matthews going to transfer portal and now Tim Banks talking about going to Miami has me worried. It should have everyone worried at this point.

Sure, losing some of the guys at the start wasn't a big deal but things are starting to look a little fishy right now.

If Banks was going for HC job or perhaps DC at a more prestigious program like Ohio State or Georgia, that would make sense but not going to a mediocre ACC program. Something is up.

 

[sami]

I think most here realize we had a good season all things considered. 10 wins is much better than 3. I certainly understand that. However, myself and some others have also pointed out some shortcomings. I’m not sure that there’s anything wrong with that. My main concern being we haven’t looked good on the road yet, and we looked absolutely lost in Columbus.

I don't think that anyone disagrees with either of those things. I believe the reason people like me are fed up with the negativity is that while you might simply be pointing out shortcomings, so many on here are just picking up where they left off after the last loss, calling for heads, questioning the effort of players, proclaiming the program is headed down, and demanding answers from Heupel as if he owes them an apology.

They got beat by a better and more talented team that was on a mission while being down their primary offensive weapon and top two receivers. It was only a program wrecker to butthurt "fans" who lost bets and were dreading being trash talked by their friends and coworkers. The CFP history is littered with blowouts of good teams. It happens.

Then some players transfer, and without knowing any the details it is assumed that Heupel has somehow lost the team and better start firing people. Or else. That's entirely different than 'pointing out shortcomings'.

 

[GrayWaterCanine]

I think he has earned respect, not necessarily trust.