Hello everybody. I am new to this forum, but a serious Vol for several decades. After looking over the boards, I decided to make my intro with you guys as this thread seems like the place for me.
The main reason I have joined these message boards is to get a better feel as to what all areas of the fanbase are thinking these days. You guys (the pro-coaching change crowd) are right where I hoped you would be.
So everyone out there in anonymous internet world can be completely full of it. You all obviously know that already. You have no reason to trust what anyone is saying. Nobody really knows what's going on or who is really "in the know". All that being said, I'd like to offer a few things. You can believe me or not, I really won't be offended.
I will not go into exact specifics for fear of causing harm to many people I care about, but my profession has allowed me to grow close with many big donors as well as some former players. I am very good friends with a prominent donor and a couple former players. We talk about the program alot (I am a donor, but not on the level that is calling any kind of shots), and they keep me pretty informed as to what is happening behind the scenes. What they have told me is very similar to what a few of you guys are reporting on here. Now I haven't read all 1000 pages of this thread, but some of the things I have read after glancing over the last week's worth are matching up exactly with what I have heard from multiple very legitimate sources.
Nobody knows what is going to happen, but I can assure you that the Jon Gruden talk is not a total pipe dream. Gruden is legitimately being talked about, and Gruden is open to listening. Sure, there may be no opening. Sure, Gruden may opt to go in another direction if there were an opening. But I can tell you this-there are at least a few donors who are ready to go all in financially if Gruden showed any interest. There are a few people on this board who seem to know exactly what they are talking about. You guys pretty much already have a grasp on who they are. Listen to them, they're not making things up.
What I would like to add, and the main reason I have joined these boards, is this: I have heard that there is a 50-50 split behind closed doors about Dooley's future. He certainly still has some supporters. A few of those pro-Dooley people said that they don't feel like the fans want a change right now, and that they are ok keeping Dooley (barring a complete collapse). I was told of this exact quote-"I just don't hear the fans as a whole calling for change, so we can probably get another year out of him. He probably won't survive past that, but we can save some money."
While I believe that every coach deserves a chance, I am completely upset at the current situation. They already know Dooley is not the guy. He's simply a stop-gap at this point. Whether or not he gets the axe this year, he won't be around in a couple of years. There is a legitimate chance that the stars could align and Jon Gruden could become a reality this year, but that's a once in a lifetime situation. Waiting another year will not land you Gruden.
The reason I am coming to you is to encourage you guys to keep pressing on. You guys are not crazy at all. Keep spreading this message. The pro-Dooley crowd needs to know that he is done either this year or next. You can support him all you want, but he won't be back in 2014 either way. All Vol fans need to know this.
I've been going to games since the 1980's, and I've given all my support to Coaches Majors, Fulmer, Kiffin, and Dooley. I am not a typical "hater". I am a proud Volunteer who is disappointed to be going through the motions in football with a coach that everyone seems to agree is not the right guy.
Never before have I seen such sensitivity towards the fans in terms of major decision making. They normally couldn't care less, (except for when the fans gave up on Fulmer in '08.) A big public cry for change could legitimately tip this thing our way right now. Waiting another year is incredibly sad to me. This is the time for the change, because this is the only time you will ever see a Super Bowl winning coach who is open to this job. It's now or never. Get loud.
Proud to join the Gruden movement with you guys. Stay strong, friends. Hoping to celebrate with you sometime next month.
-JR
