You might be right but when this is all said and done I bet we look back at this and he looks pretty good.
Again. I believe the story is accurate. The timing of the info is the issue
If this is a power struggle to see who will outlast the other, IMO gruden would have the upper hand. There is thread for just about every coach that could be possible. However, this thread is by far the leader. This fan base is ready for results, not just a maybe, average guy. If tn goes all out and it doesn't work , most of the fan base would be glad we tried. If tn goes for another up and comer ,that coach is going to be behind from the start. If its about money PAY the man. Whatever it is , get it fixed.
Hey, I'm pissed at the condition of the program, but a fellow VFL. I have had season tickets since '75 and will renew. Why? Because my son will be a freshman. I live in Alabama, and grew up here. My early days were plagued with Bear Bryant.
See, back then, with only 3 channels , you didn't get to see your team on TV except maybe once a year. To get a glimpse of the VOLS , I had to watch the Bear Bryant show on Sundays. Talk about torture. Eating golden flake potato chips and drinking cokes. (Bellywash as Bear called it).
Here's a link where Bear tells the story of his kid getting airsickness and him saying " wait and puke when you get over Knoxville. My feelings towards the Tide were galvanized back then.
Bear Bryant Show Alabama vs Tennessee 1980 - YouTube
Enjoy
Stargis said his info from several sources not UTAD was accurate as recently as Thursday night when the article ran. He stated he had personally seen text messages between JG and other parties/potential staff members indicating belief on JG's part that he wanted the job and believed he'd be coming. Additionally his sources were vetted by the newspaper's sports editor and general editor, respectively. The article ran on the front page, not the sports page.
Those inside the AD's office, from what we can tell, were never given the full suite of facts regarding JG and the depth of discussions that were going on. In their minds, from what several have said, they never actually believed he was a legit candidate and couldn't fathom where all the fuss was coming from. Hence the ease at which they have brushed off the whole thing or rationalized it away despite facts on the public record to the contrary.
To date there has been no public disputing of the facts as presented in the TFP article. Which are: 1) TN and JG were deep into negotiations; 2) JG had already been gathering a staff to prepare to be the next HC, which was also reported by Hyams, Hubbs, Rucker, and La Canfora; 3) Mere logic and reporting to support it indicate said negotiations had been going on for weeks at a minimum given the degree of preparations it would take to arrive at such a point; and 4) the sources requested the article be printed, indicating at several sides to the negotiations wanted the public to know what was taking place, ostensibly to apply pressure to make the deal happen when perhaps some involved didn't share that opinion -- and we know some of those were on the staff JG had planned to bring with him.
For the life of me, I cannot make any of that square with the narrative coming out of UTAD. But hey, maybe that's just me.
Stargis said his info from several sources not UTAD was accurate as recently as Thursday night when the article ran. He stated he had personally seen text messages between JG and other parties/potential staff members indicating belief on JG's part that he wanted the job and believed he'd be coming. Additionally his sources were vetted by the newspaper's sports editor and general editor, respectively. The article ran on the front page, not the sports page.
Those inside the AD's office, from what we can tell, were never given the full suite of facts regarding JG and the depth of discussions that were going on. In their minds, from what several have said, they never actually believed he was a legit candidate and couldn't fathom where all the fuss was coming from. Hence the ease at which they have brushed off the whole thing or rationalized it away despite facts on the public record to the contrary.
To date there has been no public disputing of the facts as presented in the TFP article. Which are: 1) TN and JG were deep into negotiations; 2) JG had already been gathering a staff to prepare to be the next HC, which was also reported by Hyams, Hubbs, Rucker, and La Canfora; 3) Mere logic and reporting to support it indicate said negotiations had been going on for weeks at a minimum given the degree of preparations it would take to arrive at such a point; and 4) the sources requested the article be printed, indicating at several sides to the negotiations wanted the public to know what was taking place, ostensibly to apply pressure to make the deal happen when perhaps some involved didn't share that opinion -- and we know some of those were on the staff JG had planned to bring with him.
For the life of me, I cannot make any of that square with the narrative coming out of UTAD. But hey, maybe that's just me.
Stargis said his info from several sources not UTAD was accurate as recently as Thursday night when the article ran. He stated he had personally seen text messages between JG and other parties/potential staff members indicating belief on JG's part that he wanted the job and believed he'd be coming. Additionally his sources were vetted by the newspaper's sports editor and general editor, respectively. The article ran on the front page, not the sports page.
Those inside the AD's office, from what we can tell, were never given the full suite of facts regarding JG and the depth of discussions that were going on. In their minds, from what several have said, they never actually believed he was a legit candidate and couldn't fathom where all the fuss was coming from. Hence the ease at which they have brushed off the whole thing or rationalized it away despite facts on the public record to the contrary.
To date there has been no public disputing of the facts as presented in the TFP article. Which are: 1) TN and JG were deep into negotiations; 2) JG had already been gathering a staff to prepare to be the next HC, which was also reported by Hyams, Hubbs, Rucker, and La Canfora; 3) Mere logic and reporting to support it indicate said negotiations had been going on for weeks at a minimum given the degree of preparations it would take to arrive at such a point; and 4) the sources requested the article be printed, indicating at several sides to the negotiations wanted the public to know what was taking place, ostensibly to apply pressure to make the deal happen when perhaps some involved didn't share that opinion -- and we know some of those were on the staff JG had planned to bring with him.
For the life of me, I cannot make any of that square with the narrative coming out of UTAD. But hey, maybe that's just me.
Strong has been my second choice but the list falls hard and fast after Gruden. Starting to feel a little jumpy that we are about to make a huge mistake. Just what I expect from my Alma mater anymore.
It's a pretty hard plunge after strong at least with the current "list" of coaches we are contacting. I just don't see the boosters or University letting an up and comer into the fire. No way not at all!!!! Like I said before if you think this comes down to Dave Hart you are wrong. Without the boosters and the right powers behind Hart he is zilch and means nothing. Hart is the figure head and plays a major role in organizing and developing actions within the University and sports, but this is much bigger than him. This is about the city of Knox and the towns around that take huge plunges in revenue bc of fans not traveling like they used too. Imagine how much money was lost in the 2012 season on ticket sales alone???? Not to mention apparel, knick nacks, gas, food, hotels, and all the other small businesses that reap the benefits from a successful football team in known. I mean I live in Memphis and it is a 6 hour drive that u used to make 3-4 times a year and now I'm going to one maybe.
I just don't see the ability to **** this up maybe it's just me but I doubt it