For those who assume I don't know what I am talking about, there's nothing I can say to change your mind. I don't need a cyber pat-on-the-back from anyone, and you have every right to feel however you want. I understand the skepticism. Just go ahead and skip this message and label me a "troll". For those who read my earlier post and care to listen, I come again to share some information. I am doing this again to encourage some hope within our fanbase and to tell you to keep demanding change.
This is what has been told to me this morning by someone who knows this situation inside and out: (note: all of my information is coming from the UT side of this, a couple big donors and former players; I have no ties to Gruden.)
Many of you know that Gruden talked with Miami when the job was available. He was at least open to the possibility of going there, and has basically said the same thing about UT. He's open to hearing them out. That's where things currently are. There has been legitimate contact by someone with ties to UT with Gruden in the last week. I don't know who, but supposedly this is the case. This is a very good sign.
The situation has been described to me quite simply; IF UT fires Dooley and IF they are willing to pay Gruden $5 Million a year, they have reason to believe that he will likely be our next coach. This is not some far-fetched rumor. There is interest on both sides.
All of the stars have to align perfectly, but things are starting to look like this might have a realistic shot of happening. There are a few big dogs who are all-in on Gruden, and a few that want to go in a cheaper direction. The Dooley contingency is much smaller than it even was last week, but is somehow still there.
I can't stress enough that behind closed doors there is pretty much nobody who believes Dooley will be here past 2013. He will either be let go this year or next year, barring a miracle. We should be hiring a new coach very soon either way. If we go for the ultimate splash of Jon Gruden, however, that pretty much has to happen this year. The window is open right now, and probably only right now.
The fall of some other programs may speed this thing up, especially Texas. If the wheels fall off for Brown, they will pay more than anyone to replace him. Don't know that Gruden would be on their list or if he would have interest, but Tennessee doesn't want to get in a bidding war with someone like that. There's already way too much money to be spent as is.
IF all things are equal, however, I really think Gruden lands here. Some of you like to joke about the Tennessee ties and the cheerleading wife and the land. But that stuff may be the tipping point if the money and opportunity are relatively close. It won't make him come here no matter what, but could help our cause. If, for example, Gruden was sought by Auburn, Arkansas, and UT, and all offered him Saban money, his ties to UT (among other things) would likely tip the scales in our favor.
I will leave you with this last tidbit. A very prominent former player (someone universally loved in Vol Nation) told me this: "There's no way in hell UT would have ever gone all-in on a big time hire like Gruden before now. The failed Dooley mistake has likely changed that. We can't risk a Troy Calhoun hire this time and everybody knows it."
Looks like Dooley might have given us all a big gift after all.
We can't let them screw this up. Demand change, and demand the best.
-JR
