Official Jon Gruden Thread XIV

[Tux]

From TOS

Originally posted by OrangeRev: The whole Gruden PR fiasco happened because either Jim Haslam and/or his son Jimmy (the Browns owner) decided that Gruden should be the next head coach of the Vols. He met with Gruden, or he had Manning perhaps talk with Gruden or urge Gruden (Manning is friends with both Jimmy Haslam and Jon Gruden).

Regardless, I'm convinced that the interest with Gruden and the rumors with Gruden emerged from these relationships. Folks like babyvol are also connected with Haslam - this is the sole source of his information, and that of others - and we know that Stephen Hargis of the Chatty Times Free Press has outed Haslam as his source for all the details of the Gruden discussions.

This is not necessarily some large group of boosters moving against Hart, but rather a passionate booster attempting to give his school an edge.

So what?

First, I don't believe that anything went on with the Haslams and Manning other than getting Jon Gruden to the point that he might be open to the position at Tennessee - remember, it is more advantageous for Gruden to remain at ESPN or go to back to the NFL ... going to Tennessee in the first place is a long shot for him. But, give credit to the Haslams and to Manning for even putting Gruden on the radar.

So, Gruden starts all the explorations. He's serious about the possibility.
First, Gruden explored the financial terms. Check. He got assurances about that. This is where the rumors of 8 years and 40+ million came from.
Then, as Gruden started looking at what assistants he might want and their salary demands, he needs assurances on assistants. Check. He got assurances about that. This is where the 4+ million numbers came from.
Gruden also explored the logistics of coaching at Tennessee with regard to practical limits on control - this likely happened with Hart much more in the loop. And, this is where some of the snags developed - and I don't think the snags are a Hart vs. Gruden control issue, but just practical things that are imposed by the NCAA or by University Policy. As Gruden became more aware of the day-to-day limitations and challenges of coaching at Tennessee - including long work days and travel that would impact his family - he cooled on the idea and that's what prompted the flurry of publicity last Friday dismissing Gruden as a candidate.
Since then, I don't think that the Haslams have let up. They still believe that there is a possibility, and Gruden is still listening. This is what is undergirding babyvol's swagger and this is what keeps Hargis going with his story.

I have said from the beginning that I believe Fisher is the #1 target of Hart. It is practical and responsible for Hart to pursue the coaches that he believes will realistically come to Tennessee, but that doesn't rule out Gruden by any means. The reason that babyvol and others continue their positions is because Haslam is still confident that things will work out in the end.

But, Hart has to continue the interviews with other candidates and we need a coach as soon as possible. Gruden remains a long-shot, but if Gruden is not able to accept the realities of SEC coaching at Tennessee by tomorrow or Wednesday, I think someone else (Fisher, Strong, Gundy) will be named the coach.

 

[VolsMan26]

I think all these guys are being interviewed and are either looking for raises or want the job. I still believe Gruden is going to be hired and won't change my opinion until someone else is hired. If it's not Gruden I hope it's Charlie Strong. He would recruit VERY well at UT and is a defensive coach, we clearly need major help on that side of the ball.

JMO

Noon Mr. Ron SOON

 

[smokey90]

UT does best when it draws from its own heritage. Gruden is the only viable coach out there that has UT background. GA may not be huge, but he coached under UT guys and married an east Tenn. girl. Appears to understand UT's style of football. This would a HR hire no doubt. And he is probably the best answer to Saban. Sorry but...

Other than that--Stoops is not coming, but would probably win quickly;
Strong would be the next best thing attainable, after a huge drop off.

 

[smokey8555]

Did I read that correctly? $4 to $5 Million offer possibly for Gundy (from OSU source)? Hart isn't that stupid is he?

I don't think Hart has that kind of money to offer because supposedly the boosters were fronting their money only for Gruden. Without the boosters money, Hart, I don't think, has $5MM to offer. Am I wrong?

 

[Coastypop]

I think all these guys are being interviewed and are either looking for raises or want the job. I still believe Gruden is going to be hired and won't change my opinion until someone else is hired. If it's not Gruden I hope it's Charlie Strong. He would recruit VERY well at UT and is a defensive coach, we clearly need major help on that side of the ball.

JMO

Thanks.... I tend to believe the Strong thing because I got that early... dissmissed it as a cover-up but

I am still in here hopeing for Gruden...and praying you are corrrect

 

[ATC_VOL]

Skeeter is mentioning Strong a lot over in the recruiting thread this morning. Everyone's eating it up over there.

 

[MACGRUDER]

Bumpworthy imo!

Noon Mac how goes it bro? SOON

Just biding time, waiting for a Christmas present

 

[smokeyhuntsgators]

Honestly, I think this whole coaching search has been a smokescreen. I think Dooley is still the coach!

Oh my,Wilson..This isn't gonna go too well.hmy:

 

[AJeray4TN]

Skeeter is mentioning Strong a lot over in the recruiting thread this morning. Everyone's eating it up over there.

Must be posting shirtless pictures of Strong then.

 

[Vollen For Life]

Tony B. just reported Gundy called a team meeting at 2:45.. Hold your breath

 

[LaagerVol]

it's all a smokescreen to keep petersen on the DL

:hi:

 

[Ron Swanson]

Ron, honest question. Why do you think Strong would recruit well at Tennessee? Please give me something else besides he was a great recruiter at Florida.

Because many elite recruits, in this class in particular, love him and would love to play for him but just don't want to go to a weak conference and play at Louisville.

Carlos Younger has posted about this on VQ lately, Carlos runs HS FB camps in Knoxville and is very knowledgeable on recruiting in the SE, TN in particular. According to him guys like Hatcher, Bell, Quick, North, Green, Wilkins and Ramsey. Would be VERY interested in UT. As well as Hurd and Todd Kelly jr. in the 2014 class.

Strong would close 2013 with a top 10 class at UT, IMO.

 

[Face]

Best I can offer. I have several friends within the active NFL coaching community. The coaching community in the NFL is a bit like a fraternity and very much into each others business. They see things, hear about things and then ask questions about things. With the number of coaches that have crossed back and forth between the NFL and college, the interest now extends beyond just the NFL. Let's just say some trips have been made and other coaches have seen them, asked about them and know more than they're supposed to know. That's all I can say.

Alright.. I'll buy that.

If you can answer this, please do. could you give a smiley face response if its good news, or a frown if its bad news. If you can't answer, could you still give the smiley signals?

Did you speak again with the friend you've known for 15 years from your neighborhood?

 

[crparker21]

Gundy buyout 3 million

Strong buyout 2.5 million

So if we pay Strong 3 million we will be paying out 7.5 million next year for football. I think I just threw up my food thinking about that...

 

[AJeray4TN]

Tony B. just reported Gundy called a team meeting at 2:45.. Hold your breath

I can dig it.

 

[1allvol]

First, I'd like to say yes, Gruden would be wonderful, but watching the last 3-4 UT coaching hires I've never seen the big boosters involved in any coaching hire at UT. What makes anyone think this hire will be any different?

Same here, i followed along through the Majors>Fulmer, Fulmer>Kiffin, Kiffin>Dooley transitions, and never heard anything about involvement from Boosters on hiring a Coach. Suddenly, its all about the Boosters. Not saying anyone is wrong and maybe its been talked about before but i didnt give it much attention...we havent had a hire of this significance in my lifetime though. I am nervous because we are watching Vandy pass us by in a state already talent starved, Bama doesnt seem to be missing a beat and looks loaded for years to come, Florida with Muschamp much better than we thought they would be...like it or not, tradition and history means alot more to us than it does some 17 year old kid. Success starts with a good coach and followed by excellent recruiting...Gruden obviousely gives us the best chance to get back on the map the quickest, and i like his style, i like his intensity...but if it ends up not being Gruden, i think the next best has to be Strong, i think he just fits better and beyond Gruden gives us the best chance at getting back the quickest...im not saying Fisher, Gundy, Patterson are not good coaches, but i see it as a gradual process with those guys to get us back, if they indeed even can....when we start mentioning names like Golden, Fedora, Davis, some dude from Wisconsin....it just really makes me worried about our future. None of us know what is going on with any of this, i am uncomfortable putting it in the hands of one man, that really has no emotional investment or historical ties to our University, so i really hope that the Boosters are involved, at least then i know that people that really care about UT have a say in the final decision.

 

[crparker21]

Because many elite recruits, in this class in particular, love him and would love to play for him but just don't want to go to a weak conference and play at Louisville.

Carlos Younger has posted about this on VQ lately, Carlos runs HS FB camps in Knoxville and is very knowledgeable on recruiting in the SE, TN in particular. According to him guys like Hatcher, Bell, Quick, North, Green, Wilkins and Ramsey. Would be VERY interested in UT. As well as Hurd and Todd Kelly jr. in the 2014 class.

Strong would close 2013 with a top 10 class at UT, IMO.

Fair enough

 

[utvolpj]

Tony B. just reported Gundy called a team meeting at 2:45.. Hold your breath

Hubbs said that meeting had been planned for a while

Apparently, there is a team meeting at Oklahoma State today around 2:45pm or so. It's going to get talked about on Twitter and everywhere else.

It's a meeting that has been planned so I wouldn't read anything into the fact that they are meeting because I'm told it has been on the docket for a while.

We are going to keep on keep digging along.

someone needs to tell Tony

 

[alaVOL]

The roller coaster is killing me, but I'd rather be stressed and wake up on New Years with Gruden as our coach. Tick, tick, tick goes the clock while we hang on, hoping for the best.

 

[gardners_51609]

So if we pay Strong 3 million we will be paying out 7.5 million next year for football. I think I just threw up my food thinking about that...

It is all the price to pay, in quest for successful SEC football...

 

[volgr]

I know it's not a popular opinion but I think Fulmer was a better coach than any of these being discussed and the 2 HC hires following his firing. I think it was time for Fulmer to retire but NO ONE can convince me the program is in better shape now than when he was fired.

JMO

It doesn't get much worse than this does it? I pray to God it doesn't. We just came off a 3 year period of ultimate suck with the worst coach in our life time, we are hanging on to hope Jon Gruden comes, we have a crap list of coaches if it isn't Gruden and to top it off we have to hear from a few of the Fulmersexuals. Ugh. :sick:

 

[VolsMan26]

From TOS

The control issue in statement, I feel that gruden should have 100% control over the program. If you want to win in sec you need all the control, and support needed to succeed. NOW DAVE FRIGGIN HART GIVE THE MAN CONTROL AND SHUT UP!!!!!!


and. SOON

 

[Coastypop]

I'm sorry you fell that way. My aim was to offer encouragement. But clearly that doesn't meet your standard. I happen to respect my sources enough to adhere to their instructions and don't want to do anything to harm those relationships. But given your comments, noone is interested in encouragement, so I will say no more.

No one is asking you to name your sources or say anything that would give them away.... if you did you would no longer have them.

I was not actually referring to you, but if you believe you have been doing this, then maybe I was... The old saying seems fitting here... "throw a rock into a pack of dogs and the one that hollers is the one you hit"

I do not know you.... I have been in this thread from day one... that in itself should be proof to everyone that i have NO STANDARDS...LOL

As far as encouragement... I have not left this thread.. been here everyday at risk of my job, my family and my health.... I will be encouraged when a coach is named.

Hopefully Jon Gruden :hi:

A person doesn't start looking at houses and schools until they know they are going to move... do they?

Best I can offer. I have several friends within the active NFL coaching community. The coaching community in the NFL is a bit like a fraternity and very much into each others business. They see things, hear about things and then ask questions about things. With the number of coaches that have crossed back and forth between the NFL and college, the interest now extends beyond just the NFL. Let's just say some trips have been made and other coaches have seen them, asked about them and know more than they're supposed to know. That's all I can say.

These simply answers was all anyone was asking.....sorry that you seem offended :hi:

 

[Smokeyshowl66]

Alright.. I'll buy that.

If you can answer this, please do. could you give a smiley face response if its good news, or a frown if its bad news. If you can't answer, could you still give the smiley signals?

Did you speak again with the friend you've known for 15 years from your neighborhood?

:dance2: imo. Spoke with him briefly - he back pedaled a bit on the timing of the visit - said it could have been earlier in the season around a bye week. But other than that was still kind of coy about the whole thing.

 

[1Ooltevol]

From Charlie Strong's recent presser:

"I have no representative, Charlie Strong represents himself"

A coach who speaks in the third person. Might be entertaining...