Never again...

#51
#51
lol ipad has an auto correct option that i abhor. the analogy works like this kiffin is a ****ing douche, as was dooley. the end.

were lucky to have butch.

is that better ladies?
 
#52
#52
You need to spend a little time on the other rungs of the ladder to appreciate the top one. Sometime in the mid 2000's I remember saying on Gridscape "These are the good old days.". We should always appreciate 8-9 win seasons with a shot to be in the mix every now and then for NC shots. Hard to get there and harder to maintain than fans are willing to realize.
 
#53
#53
We were clearly on a downward decline and even had two 5 win seasons late in Fulmer's tenure. We had a decision to stick with the status quo or try to make a change to get to the next level.
Unfortunately our idiot AD opted to go with an all-star recruiting staff with an unproven young HC and the rest is history.

I know 8-9 wins looks great compared to what we've had the last 5 years. But nearly a decade of just winning 8-9 games would be like a basketball team going to the NIT every year or one-and-done in the NCAA's. Sure that's better than sitting at home with a losing record, but most would hope to go to the next level, especially if you're used to going to the Sweet 16/Final 4 regularly.

Right now I'd love a 9 win season. But 10 years from now if that's our peak then I'd hope for better and someone better to get us to the next level.
 
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#54
#54
Fulmer was pulling down 8-9 wins with NFL talent laden rosters. First, Richt had his number then Spurrier got it going at SC. Add in UF wising up and replacing Zook with Meyer and Bama hiring Saban as they came off probation. We were slipping big time and Fulmer only looks good when compared to the 3 years of hell on earth that we just traversed. Fulmer did great things for UTK and he was given a lot of slack as a result of his equity, probably too much. I've wondered many times how things would have been if they pulled the trigger after 2005 when we still had a solid roster and plenty of cash.
 
#55
#55
ugahater1 said:
lol ipad has an auto correct option that i abhor. the analogy works like this kiffin is a ****ing douche, as was dooley. the end.

were lucky to have butch.

is that better ladies?
Click to expand...

Dang, that auto correct added a lot of stuff
 
#56
#56
I appreciate what Fulmer did for our program. For now, I'm thoroughly happy with CBJ and we just beat the #11 team in the country yesterday with a WICKED recruiting class on their way to Knoxville.

The future looks bright folks!!!
 
#58
#58
VolunteerHillbilly said:
Fulmer was pulling down 8-9 wins with NFL talent laden rosters. First, Richt had his number then Spurrier got it going at SC. Add in UF wising up and replacing Zook with Meyer and Bama hiring Saban as they came off probation. We were slipping big time and Fulmer only looks good when compared to the 3 years of hell on earth that we just traversed. Fulmer did great things for UTK and he was given a lot of slack as a result of his equity, probably too much. I've wondered many times how things would have been if they pulled the trigger after 2005 when we still had a solid roster and plenty of cash.
Click to expand...

Georgia, Florida, LSU, Alabama, and Auburn had NFL talent laden rosters as well! You make it sound like we were the only team with talent. We were getting to the SEC Championship game every 3 years and despite the two 5 win seaons we were still averaging 8-9 wins per year. I won't argue with you that our program had started to slide but like I posted before, ANY coach with that much tenure and that level of sustained success will see lean periods. It's just the cycle of things. Incidentally, the year that Fulmer was fired he had a darn good recruiting class he was putting together as well!
 
#59
#59
Brave Volunteer said:
As a UT fan, I will NEVER AGAIN take the good years for granted! I remember back under Fulmer, I used to complain about 8 or 9 win seasons and going to a bowl. I used to gripe about not only thinking we weren't winning enough but we weren't winning by wide enough margins. How foolish I was! After spending the last 6 years wandering around in the wilderness, I have come to the conclusion that we should appreciate the good times more! While we didn't win the SEC and National Championship every year, we had a winning program with sustained success! When CBJ finally gets us on that path again, NEVER will I take that for granted! I will enjoy and appreciate it every step of the way!
Click to expand...

I complained only because the recruiting was..had bottom out, just like CUM and other coaches that get it done the staff leaves and the down fall proceeds....same will happen when Bama looses a NC bid or game....they are gone to Pros...NYG is looking like a great fit for him..2014
 
#60
#60
It's funny how much irony there is in life. We have to be careful what we wish for. Fans got to a point where there were only a couple of games every year we looked forward to. And we weren't going to be satisfied unless we went undefeated. But it's not just us. Every program goes through the exactly same. I have a couple that are clients of mine that are die hard bama 's, as in season tickets holders for the last 40 years. He told me there was a time they didn't really even enjoy the games because they knew they'd win and we're never happy enough with the performance. Then they went through an era just like we've been in. Hes says now they have much greater perspective and enjoy the game much more now that they're on top again. Programs like Georgia and Texas are experiencing this right now, having done very little recently with all the talent they've had. They should probably be happy with the success they've achieved instead of wanting to clean house but fans will be fans
 
#61
#61
Yeah, we've been awful. 6 wins this year will probably be pretty good. 7 wins would be very good. That said, we are in rebuilding mode. When we are out of rebuilding mode, 8 win seasons will not be good and worth celebrating. Sorry.

I know alot of people on this board want us to act like we are not a major program. Like we are not one of the top 10 winningest programs of all time. Like we don't have more people in our stadium week after week than any but the very best programs. Like we don't charge premium rates and bring in loads of money in donations and ticket sales. Like we don't have a gigantic AD budget.

No, we're supposed to be a top program and we should have those standards. Hamilton, Kiffin, Dooley, etc. decimated us and we have to understand that it will take some time to get back to where we should be. But to suggest that we should be happy with 8 wins a year in perpetuity shows a lack of appreciation for the quality of our program, it's history and it's potential.
 
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#62
#62
To me we resemble what Bama went through after their NC in 92. They had some problems with their coaching carosel, maybe worse than we've had. But, this makes me wonder if Butch is our Shula and the next coach reaps the rewards?
 
#63
#63
Will always be puzzled by the Fulmer apologists.

We went 29-21 in his last 4 years, and it wasn't improving. His recruiting the last few years wasn't good. We hadn't finished in the top 10 of any poll since 2001, after finishing in the top 10 almost perennially his 1st 10 years or so.

Fulmer was done. He was collecting a paycheck. He got fat and happy with his big paycheck, and was content to coast on what happened from 1992-2001.

FYI to the OP, 8 win seasons will happen sometimes, but IMO, on a regular basis, that is an unacceptable mark for a UT coach. When you consider we're (usually) going to play 3 or 4 tomato cans every year, 4-4 on a regular basis vs. the SEC won't cut it where I'm concerned. Butch needs to get this team to where it can compete for SEC championships on a regular basis, not a spot in the peach or citrus bowl (or whatever those bowls are called now, chicfila or some such).
 
#64
#64
Brave Volunteer said:
As a UT fan, I will NEVER AGAIN take the good years for granted! I remember back under Fulmer, I used to complain about 8 or 9 win seasons and going to a bowl. I used to gripe about not only thinking we weren't winning enough but we weren't winning by wide enough margins. How foolish I was! After spending the last 6 years wandering around in the wilderness, I have come to the conclusion that we should appreciate the good times more! While we didn't win the SEC and National Championship every year, we had a winning program with sustained success! When CBJ finally gets us on that path again, NEVER will I take that for granted! I will enjoy and appreciate it every step of the way!
Click to expand...

I'm glad you now feel this way. I'm still waiting to see my first winning season! This will be the year!!! :thumbsup:
 
#65
#65
oregonvol said:
Yeah, we've been awful. 6 wins this year will probably be pretty good. 7 wins would be very good. That said, we are in rebuilding mode. When we are out of rebuilding mode, 8 win seasons will not be good and worth celebrating. Sorry.

I know alot of people on this board want us to act like we are not a major program. Like we are not one of the top 10 winningest programs of all time. Like we don't have more people in our stadium week after week than any but the very best programs. Like we don't charge premium rates and bring in loads of money in donations and ticket sales. Like we don't have a gigantic AD budget.

No, we're supposed to be a top program and we should have those standards. Hamilton, Kiffin, Dooley, etc. decimated us and we have to understand that it will take some time to get back to where we should be. But to suggest that we should be happy with 8 wins a year in perpetuity shows a lack of appreciation for the quality of our program, it's history and it's potential.
Click to expand...

Being happy with 8 wins and calling for a house cleaning over 8 wins are two different things. But I agree, UT is a 9-10 win per year caliber school IMO. I remember getting mad over the 9-10 win years, that I think is what people regret. We always wanted another 13-0 and anything less was shameful.
 
#66
#66
VolFan4Life87 said:
Being happy with 8 wins and calling for a house cleaning over 8 wins are two different things. But I agree, UT is a 9-10 win per year caliber school IMO. I remember getting mad over the 9-10 win years, that I think is what people regret. We always wanted another 13-0 and anything less was shameful.
Click to expand...

For my part, I never thought anything less than 13-0 was shameful. I doubt many did. I just didn't want to lose to our rivals every year. You have to admit that it got old to lose to Florida year after year. Richt often underachieves with his talent at Georgia, but at least he doesn't lose to the same guys year after year after year like Fulmer did.

Of course 10 win seasons should be appreciated, but let's not forget that complacency can be just as dangerous as anything else. Complacency is what got Hamilton promoted from within. Complacency is why Fulmer took forever to replace underachieving assistants. Complacency is why it took so long to replace Fulmer as the wins dwindled and why we signed him to such a large contract with record-setting buyout before we did so. Complacency has been a major factor in our program's recent troubles.
 
#68
#68
Good point. It will be really interesting to watch the Alabama fan base when they fall off their perch. It will happen, no one stays on top forever. Take a lot of photos of those wagon jumpers now in their Crimson gear and email it back to them in a couple of years once they slink away.......But I have respect for their long term fans that went through the lean years.
 
#69
#69
ETNVol said:
Will always be puzzled by the Fulmer apologists.

We went 29-21 in his last 4 years, and it wasn't improving. His recruiting the last few years wasn't good. We hadn't finished in the top 10 of any poll since 2001, after finishing in the top 10 almost perennially his 1st 10 years or so.

Fulmer was done. He was collecting a paycheck. He got fat and happy with his big paycheck, and was content to coast on what happened from 1992-2001.

FYI to the OP, 8 win seasons will happen sometimes, but IMO, on a regular basis, that is an unacceptable mark for a UT coach. When you consider we're (usually) going to play 3 or 4 tomato cans every year, 4-4 on a regular basis vs. the SEC won't cut it where I'm concerned. Butch needs to get this team to where it can compete for SEC championships on a regular basis, not a spot in the peach or citrus bowl (or whatever those bowls are called now, chicfila or some such).
Click to expand...

Of Fulmer's bowl trips, only three were "major" bowl bids, the rest were second tier bowls, and his last nine and ten win seasons each had four losses, which is not nearly as impressive as nine wins in the older 10 and 11 game schedules.
 
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