Mark Smith

#176
#176
So if they are "agreeing to part ways" does that mean we are paying him for his contract, or is he just walking away?

Sucks. Was hoping we would have a nice quiet summer where our guys got stronger, faster, better and surprised everyone. I'd like to get out of the negative news spotlight for at least two weeks...
 
#177
#177
Vol-in-Bham said:
So if they are "agreeing to part ways" does that mean we are paying him for his contract, or is he just walking away?

Sucks. Was hoping we would have a nice quiet summer where our guys got stronger, faster, better and surprised everyone. I'd like to get out of the negative news spotlight for at least two weeks...
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<----------- :-( not ready to lead :eek:hmy:
 
#180
#180
CaliVol said:
It sucks losing Smith. It sounds like the facts surrounding the departure are still emerging, but this one falls squarely on Kiffin. Kiffin hired Smith and was responsible for doing his diligence to make sure that the guy was a great coach (yes) and a solid fit (sounds like no). I hope UT finds a solid replacement, but this can't be good for the players as far as uncertainy and lack of continuity. I hope the players stay focused in spite of the distractions and continue working hard to get ready for the season. I'm pulling for Kiffin to get the next S&C hire right and getting the team to September without any more significant distractions. Go Vols!
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Anyone who's ever done any hiring knows that while due diligence helps weed out total losers, it is an inexact science at best to know exactly how the chemistry will work on the job under pressure. If a change has to be made, better now with the whole summer ahead then let this simmer along and blow up closer to fall camp or during the season. There are assistant S&C coaches on staff to keep the workouts going, there will likely be some adjustments to training, but it's not like these players have had years under Smith's program so adjusting to a new one shouldn't be too hard. The hard part was going from Long's program to the much higher intensity of Smith's. I'd guess his replacement will be no less intense and demanding.
 
#182
#182
VolinDawgland said:
Anyone who's ever done any hiring knows that while due diligence helps weed out total losers, it is an inexact science at best to know exactly how the chemistry will work on the job under pressure. If a change has to be made, better now with the whole summer ahead then let this simmer along and blow up closer to fall camp or during the season. There are assistant S&C coaches on staff to keep the workouts going, there will likely be some adjustments to training, but it's not like these players have had years under Smith's program so adjusting to a new one shouldn't be too hard. The hard part was going from Long's program to the much higher intensity of Smith's. I'd guess his replacement will be no less intense and demanding.
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Smith has a track record of 15+ years on both the collegiate and NFL levels. If Smith is truly as bullheaded as the rumors are suggesting (don't know if that is true), that should have come up in Kiffin's diligence (as inexact of a science as you believe it is) and pre-hire conversations with other folks who coached with or trained under him. At the end of the day, Kiffin is responsible for the hire, diligence or not. I hope he gets it right this time and the players aren't adversely affected by the transition.
 
#183
#183
The strange part about this is that his QB coach was at USC E with Smith and probably provided the recommendation that Kiffin hire him. Perhaps this was a bad one on Reaves. Positive is that it disrupted Spurrier's staff regardless.
 
#188
#188
CaliVol said:
It sucks losing Smith. It sounds like the facts surrounding the departure are still emerging, but this one falls squarely on Kiffin. Kiffin hired Smith and was responsible for doing his diligence to make sure that the guy was a great coach (yes) and a solid fit (sounds like no). I hope UT finds a solid replacement, but this can't be good for the players as far as uncertainy and lack of continuity. I hope the players stay focused in spite of the distractions and continue working hard to get ready for the season. I'm pulling for Kiffin to get the next S&C hire right and getting the team to September without any more significant distractions. Go Vols!
Click to expand...
Best post in this entire thread. Factual and to the point.
 
#189
#189
This whole situation is too bad, lack of stability is not good anyway you look at it, all I heard were positive things about Mark Smith. I have to have faith that Kiffin knows what he's doing and turns this in a positive in the long run. Does anyone know what actually cause this parting of ways yet?
 
#190
#190
What seems to be missing in this whole thread is that the head S/C is in charge of developing quality programs for all of the men's athletic teams. Yes he is the head football strength coach and delegates duties to assistant and graduate assistants. However, this is supposed to be one of the premier athletic departments in the whole country. In an effort to provide CPR to the dying football program (which provides the $$ for all other sports) it seems they hired a guy who had tunnel vision to football only. He quickly seemed to burn bridges with all residing staff and spit it he face of the wishes of the other sport's head coaches. Many rumors flew from athletes to coaches when he started. When you burn bridges with all those around you and put yourself on an island, you better be the business. Demanding athletes like swimmers and track athletes to call you "black iron" and focussing on silly rules like t-shirts and "don't drop the weights" is all great if you have the academic and performance enhancement knowledge to back it up. Although the "first impression" factor is truly important for a strength coach (i.e looking the part)...this job is truly about understanding the human physiology behind each athletes sports. Someone with a masters degree or higher and a burning desire to grasp at the newest ways to train athletes is much more important. Bullying people and being inflexible may not always be the best way train each of the sports teams. I hope that they bring a true professional who understands the larger scope of managing a job such as this.
I would hope that the following criterion are met.
1. Professional demeanor
2. Commands respect and provides mutual respect
3. Demands dicipline
4. Hires great assistants
5. Lays out a long term plan for the development of our s/c program
6. Becomes proactive at training our staff to be the best in all areas (not just football)
7. Brings a masterful knowlege fo the priciples of periodization and applies them to each athlete
8. Vacates bullheaded tactics which lead to resentment over time.
9. Love Tennessee and wants to see it rise to the highest levels of success.
 
#191
#191
thesilentmajority said:
What seems to be missing in this whole thread is that the head S/C is in charge of developing quality programs for all of the men's athletic teams. Yes he is the head football strength coach and delegates duties to assistant and graduate assistants. However, this is supposed to be one of the premier athletic departments in the whole country. In an effort to provide CPR to the dying football program (which provides the $$ for all other sports) it seems they hired a guy who had tunnel vision to football only. He quickly seemed to burn bridges with all residing staff and spit it he face of the wishes of the other sport's head coaches. Many rumors flew from athletes to coaches when he started. When you burn bridges with all those around you and put yourself on an island, you better be the business. Demanding athletes like swimmers and track athletes to call you "black iron" and focussing on silly rules like t-shirts and "don't drop the weights" is all great if you have the academic and performance enhancement knowledge to back it up. Although the "first impression" factor is truly important for a strength coach (i.e looking the part)...this job is truly about understanding the human physiology behind each athletes sports. Someone with a masters degree or higher and a burning desire to grasp at the newest ways to train athletes is much more important. Bullying people and being inflexible may not always be the best way train each of the sports teams. I hope that they bring a true professional who understands the larger scope of managing a job such as this.
I would hope that the following criterion are met.
1. Professional demeanor
2. Commands respect and provides mutual respect
3. Demands dicipline
4. Hires great assistants
5. Lays out a long term plan for the development of our s/c program
6. Becomes proactive at training our staff to be the best in all areas (not just football)
7. Brings a masterful knowlege fo the priciples of periodization and applies them to each athlete
8. Vacates bullheaded tactics which lead to resentment over time.
9. Love Tennessee and wants to see it rise to the highest levels of success.
Click to expand...

Well put...welcome to the board.
 
#192
#192
thesilentmajority said:
What seems to be missing in this whole thread is that the head S/C is in charge of developing quality programs for all of the men's athletic teams. Yes he is the head football strength coach and delegates duties to assistant and graduate assistants. However, this is supposed to be one of the premier athletic departments in the whole country. In an effort to provide CPR to the dying football program (which provides the $$ for all other sports) it seems they hired a guy who had tunnel vision to football only. He quickly seemed to burn bridges with all residing staff and spit it he face of the wishes of the other sport's head coaches. Many rumors flew from athletes to coaches when he started. When you burn bridges with all those around you and put yourself on an island, you better be the business. Demanding athletes like swimmers and track athletes to call you "black iron" and focussing on silly rules like t-shirts and "don't drop the weights" is all great if you have the academic and performance enhancement knowledge to back it up. Although the "first impression" factor is truly important for a strength coach (i.e looking the part)...this job is truly about understanding the human physiology behind each athletes sports. Someone with a masters degree or higher and a burning desire to grasp at the newest ways to train athletes is much more important. Bullying people and being inflexible may not always be the best way train each of the sports teams. I hope that they bring a true professional who understands the larger scope of managing a job such as this.
I would hope that the following criterion are met.
1. Professional demeanor
2. Commands respect and provides mutual respect
3. Demands dicipline
4. Hires great assistants
5. Lays out a long term plan for the development of our s/c program
6. Becomes proactive at training our staff to be the best in all areas (not just football)
7. Brings a masterful knowlege fo the priciples of periodization and applies them to each athlete
8. Vacates bullheaded tactics which lead to resentment over time.
9. Love Tennessee and wants to see it rise to the highest levels of success.
Click to expand...


Well that seems to answer a lot of my questions. Thank you for posting. :hi:
 
#193
#193
welcome to the board, great post. I am guessing you have been or are in a position that deals with it. Is that you Kiffin/Mike Hamilton?
 
#194
#194
thesilentmajority said:
What seems to be missing in this whole thread is that the head S/C is in charge of developing quality programs for all of the men's athletic teams. Yes he is the head football strength coach and delegates duties to assistant and graduate assistants. However, this is supposed to be one of the premier athletic departments in the whole country. In an effort to provide CPR to the dying football program (which provides the $$ for all other sports) it seems they hired a guy who had tunnel vision to football only. He quickly seemed to burn bridges with all residing staff and spit it he face of the wishes of the other sport's head coaches. Many rumors flew from athletes to coaches when he started. When you burn bridges with all those around you and put yourself on an island, you better be the business. Demanding athletes like swimmers and track athletes to call you "black iron" and focussing on silly rules like t-shirts and "don't drop the weights" is all great if you have the academic and performance enhancement knowledge to back it up. Although the "first impression" factor is truly important for a strength coach (i.e looking the part)...this job is truly about understanding the human physiology behind each athletes sports. Someone with a masters degree or higher and a burning desire to grasp at the newest ways to train athletes is much more important. Bullying people and being inflexible may not always be the best way train each of the sports teams. I hope that they bring a true professional who understands the larger scope of managing a job such as this.
I would hope that the following criterion are met.
1. Professional demeanor
2. Commands respect and provides mutual respect
3. Demands dicipline
4. Hires great assistants
5. Lays out a long term plan for the development of our s/c program
6. Becomes proactive at training our staff to be the best in all areas (not just football)
7. Brings a masterful knowlege fo the priciples of periodization and applies them to each athlete
8. Vacates bullheaded tactics which lead to resentment over time.
9. Love Tennessee and wants to see it rise to the highest levels of success.
Click to expand...

This might be the longest first post I've ever read on this board.

But it was also very good.

Welcome to VolNation :hi:
 
#196
#196
Vercingetorix said:
We seriously had a coach who was demanding that students call him "Black Iron"?

Good riddance to this loser. Yeesh.
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That's taking yourself a little too seriously. I'm sure he gets the job done but he might be more suited for the NFL or a school that doesn't care about non-football sports.
 
#197
#197
It's one thing to try to go by a dumb nickname among your own guys, i.e. the football team. It's another to try to impose some sort of universal rule that anybody who walks in the weight room has to call you by it. It's pretty clear that his ego is getting in the way of his professionalism. Sucks that we have to go get somebody else, but better now than to let this thing fester.

I'm not surprised that this isn't something that came up at Carolina, because none of their sports are any good at all. A guy could shut the weight room down to all other sports there, and who would notice?
 
#198
#198
Vercingetorix said:
It's one thing to try to go by a dumb nickname among your own guys, i.e. the football team. It's another to try to impose some sort of universal rule that anybody who walks in the weight room has to call you by it. It's pretty clear that his ego is getting in the way of his professionalism. Sucks that we have to go get somebody else, but better now than to let this thing fester.

I'm not surprised that this isn't something that came up at Carolina, because none of their sports are any good at all. A guy could shut the weight room down to all other sports there, and who would notice?
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One thing that hasn't mentioned is how his attitude could infect the team. We want our guys to be confident but they spend a lot of time with the strength coaches and don't need to have an egotistical maniac around all of the time.

What I've hear of Smith sounds very selfish and that is not the best example for the team. I am very curious to know if a few players might not have defected under a different S&C coach. I wouldn't be surprised to hear of a couple and I'm not necessarily saying that it was a bad thing that they did leave but I would have liked to have kept a couple of the OL for depth.
 
#199
#199
Vercingetorix said:
It's one thing to try to go by a dumb nickname among your own guys, i.e. the football team. It's another to try to impose some sort of universal rule that anybody who walks in the weight room has to call you by it. It's pretty clear that his ego is getting in the way of his professionalism. Sucks that we have to go get somebody else, but better now than to let this thing fester.

I'm not surprised that this isn't something that came up at Carolina, because none of their sports are any good at all. A guy could shut the weight room down to all other sports there, and who would notice?
Click to expand...


Ya know, that kinda sounds like another guy on UT's coaching staff who goes by the last name of kiffin and doesn't have the first name of monte.
 
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