Mike Matthews to portal? [He’s staying]

[xpsyclonex2002]

So you're saying I can come down off the ledge?

 

[FanDude]

The worst fanbase in all college athletics has to eat crow again. We had a 10-2 year, made the 12-team playoff in the first year and we have idiot fans on here wanting coaches fired and talking trash about 18-19 yr old kids. We act entitled and have acted this way for quite some time. This fanbase can't be happy with a Top 10 football team, #1 ranked men's basketball team, undefeated Lady Vols basketball team and defending National Championship baseball team. Danny White has done a phenomenal job as AD and bringing in winning coaches to bolster the athletic program but as always, this fanbase thinks it knows better than the people that are running the show. Its sometimes embarrassing to watch and listen to this fanbase.

Legions of the Miserable are with us always.

 

[YankeeVol]

We aren't the worst fanbase in college athletics. Not even in the conversation.

Passionate with some idiots. Every fan base has it including Austin Peay.

we're winning the whole thing next year!

 

[patrick]

We should probably hire a GM to handle these things so they happen a lot less public.

I would think one of these Staff Members is in essence the GM but not sure which one.... Jake Breske, Billy High, Trey Johnson???

2024 Football Support Staff​

Staff Directory Members By Category/Department

Name	Title	Phone	Email Address
Scott Altizer	Director of Football Relations	(865) 974-1234	saltizer@utk.edu
Robert Ayers Jr.	Defensive Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Cooper Bell	Defensive Assistant	(865) 974-1234
Jake Breske	Director of Player Personnel	(865) 974-1234
Rhett Brooks	Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance	(865) 974-1234
Steve Caldwell	Assistant Director of Life Skills and Character Development	(865) 974-1234	scaldwel1@utk.edu
Cayden Cochran	Offensive Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Evan Crabtree	Special Teams Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Evan Davis	Personnel Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Krystian Garner	On-Campus Recruiting Coordinator	(865) 974-1234
Andrew Goodman	Director of Football Operations	(865) 974-1234
Liam Gray	Defensive Assistant	(865) 974-1234
Brooks Halsey	Personnel Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Levorn Harbin	Senior Defensive Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Terrence Head	Assistant Director of EVOLVE, Leadership, Engagement, Life & Career Skills	(865) 974-1234
Tylor Henry	Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance	(865) 974-1234
Billy High	Director of Internal and Advance Scouting	(865) 974-1234
CJ Holden	Assistant Director of Football Operations	(865) 974-1234
Nick Humphrey	Special Teams Graduate Assistant	(865) 974-1234
Billy Ray Johnson	Chief of Staff	(865) 974-1234
Taver Johnson	Defensive Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Trey Johnson	Director of Recruiting	(865) 974-1234
Keyton Kinley	On-Campus Recruiting Coordinator	(865) 974-1234
Chris Labidou	Offensive Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Donovan Lahmann	Personnel Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Reggie Lane	Director of EVOLVE, Leadership, Engagement, Life & Career Skills	(865) 974-1234
Brandon Lawson	Director of Scouting	(865) 974-1234
Jerome Learman	Director of Applied Performance Science - Football		jlearman@utk.edu
Forrest Lehman	Defensive Assistant	(865) 974-1234
Mitch Militello	Offensive Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Kate Miller	Executive Assistant to the Head Coach	(865) 974-1234
McKenzie Milton	Offensive Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Danny O'Rourke	Defensive Analyst	(865) 974-1234
KJ Parmer	Offensive Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Kevin Pendleton	Offensive Graduate Assistant	(865) 974-1234
Steven Ruzic	Scouting Coordinator, Defense	(865) 974-1234
Mack Scanlon	Scouting Coordinator, Offense	(865) 974-1234
Kurt Schmidt	Director of Competition Development	(865) 974-1234
Angela Schwinge	Administrative Assistant	(865) 974-1234
Janae Simmonds	Director of Recruiting Operations	(865) 974-1234
Travis Taylor	Assistant Director of EVOLVE, Leadership, Engagement, Life & Career Skills	(865) 974-1234
Earnest Thomas III	Defensive Graduate Assistant	(865) 974-1234
Max Thurmond	Senior Offensive Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Bailey Tumlin	Recruiting Analyst	(865) 974-1234
Caroline Videtto	Coordinator of Recruiting Operations	(865) 974-2545
Aston Walter	Offensive Assistant	(865) 974-1234
David Young	Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance	(865) 974-1234
Ervin Young	Assistant Director of Football Sports Performance

 

[Nico ee-ah-MAH-LAY-ah-va]

Are you saying everyone needs to donate?

Insert the Sarah McLachlan theme: “For just 1 dollar a day, YOU can afford us a new WR in the portal.”

 

[Voluble2]

We aren't the worst fanbase in college athletics. Not even in the conversation.

Passionate with some idiots. Every fan base has it including Austin Peay.

Ohio State fans were trying to fire a coach who is likely on his way to a Natty while dominating both of the play-off games they have been in so far.

The only way TN fans are different is in their willingness to disparage other TN fans for being fans. Everything else is just bog standard behavior.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

The worst fanbase in all college athletics has to eat crow again. We had a 10-2 year, made the 12-team playoff in the first year and we have idiot fans on here wanting coaches fired and talking trash about 18-19 yr old kids. We act entitled and have acted this way for quite some time. This fanbase can't be happy with a Top 10 football team, #1 ranked men's basketball team, undefeated Lady Vols basketball team and defending National Championship baseball team. Danny White has done a phenomenal job as AD and bringing in winning coaches to bolster the athletic program but as always, this fanbase thinks it knows better than the people that are running the show. Its sometimes embarrassing to watch and listen to this fanbase.

Welcome to the world of sports. Our fan base is no different than any other. I’m sure you’ve never ever in your life criticized someone in a profession you weren’t involved in….. that’s a real tall horse you’re riding there.

 

[Dansky]

Just so we're clear, I was just kidding when I said he was overrated.

I guess we will see next season if OL can protect our QB. If not up the creek.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

We should probably hire a GM to handle these things so they happen a lot less public.

The guys often throw it on their Instagram or the news media hears something and reports it, probably from an agent as a little bit of a negotiating tool.

"Look, the fans want to keep him here, you guys want to keep him here, other folks are calling me since this got out...... we should probably sit down and work this out so my phone stops ringing, don't you think?"

 

[RockyTopTexas]

How many of yall will call him a VFL ?

 

[butchna]

Branch most likely not coming here. As of now, doesn't even have a visit to come talk to us. Getting Matthews to stay is huge. Get a few coaches in gear, or make changes, and things look much better for next year!

Less critical than it was a day ago.

 

[Gandalf]

Glad he's staying. "All Vol" might be a stretch, but I'll take it.

All Vol!.......as long as the check clears

But cant be too critical about that. I mean no one would be loyal to their employer either if that checked stopped and you work to increase your pay to its max.

Really marriage is the only one that people expect you to be there "in sickness and health" but we know that most dont keep that loyalty today either so, best we can hope for I suppose.

 

[volbound1700]

To be frank, I see the situation of these players like I see coworker setup. Coworkers leave and go to jobs all the time. Sometimes, I even, stay in touch with them when they move around.

 

[Rocky Top T]

How many of yall will call him a VFL ?

To be determined

 

[OrangeInKy]

How am I gonna get this sky out of my yard that fell last weekend?

 

[Halph66]

To be frank, I see the situation of these players like I see coworker setup. Coworkers leave and go to jobs all the time. Sometimes, I even, stay in touch with them when they move around.

Just don't call be Shirley.

 

[THEONLYTENISEE]

Insert the Sarah McLachlan theme: “For just 1 dollar a day, YOU can afford us a new WR in the portal.”

You can’t afford not to donate.

 

[C-south]

Boom.

Now close the deal on Branch!

We gotta ask Mike first.

 

[901 Orange]

How many of yall will call him a VFL ?

If he plays 2 more years he is a VFL

 

[901 Orange]

We have to get much better in the OL and DL to contend for anything and Nico must play better

I'm not really concerned about the DL, in Gardner I trust. Brought in the #1 HS OL prospect and a vet IOL in the portal. Heard needs to take a step forward, and hopefully we can figure out Center.

 

[SayUWantAreVOLution]

If he plays 2 more years he is a VFL

Even if he goes in the portal for a raise both of those years?

 

[OrangeBeachVol]

Does not appear there is any effort being made to keep Squirrel.

 

[UTwild82]

If we can keep MM (check) and pull Branch and Jefferson, that would be impressive.

 

[volbound1700]

If we close the deal on Branch and Jefferson we will be right back to natty contenders.

How quickly things can change...

Probably need a good OT and not sure about DL or LB situation for next year. Still, we should be competitive. I still think we are NOT quite Natty Contenders.

 

[quadlee21]

We all owe Spyre and Heupel a big thank you.

Let me fix this for you......

Spyre owes us that donate a big thank you.