Recruiting Forum Football Talk III

[MrVolton]

Yeah, the good news is there are a few layups recruiting wise this year. Hayden and Simpson want to be here - so if he doesn’t get them, it’ll signal huge trouble.

I’m just not very optimistic right now, but we’ll see. Getting Arnett as DC would be good. Going any lower than him seems problematic.

I don’t mind Huepel bringing his O staff with him. They know how to work and teach together, and the O never failed to deliver at UCF. I especially feel good about it if we land Simpson and Hayden, I think they give us an in to a lot of the other instate kids. Combine that with a good showing on O for the season, and we could end up with a very good class.

D is the huge question mark, and I was all for keeping Steele. But the worst thing would be for UT to force someone on Huepel, that’s setting him up for failure and stuff like that is what has bitten us in the rear over the years.

 

[Volnerd]

I looked back, and Urban brought 4 assistants from Utah to Florida- OL, WR, QB/OC, and secondary coach. He did retain Strong and Locksley.

I’m not too concerned about our offensive staff from UCF. I do think he needs to hire a couple of people on defense with SEC or P5 experience and recruiting ties.

Seems like we are focused too much on JH being a UCF guy. He coached in the Big 12 and the SEC. I think he figured out what type of players and coaches are needed to win at this level.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

I’d be all for keeping Steele, especially since we’d likely have to hire a DC that’s further on down the list.

But forcing Steele or any other coach on Huepel would be worse though, that’s the kind of stuff that’s bitten us hard over the last 15 years.

I agree that It wouldn’t be smart to force a coach on anyone. Obviously, after this past season we’ve seen how important cohesion amongst the staff Is. I also hope Heupel recognizes that we could use some guys w/ some SEC ties and that have been around the block a few times.

 

[Sleegro]

From my pops....

From what I know, SpaceX bought or is in the process of buying the 35 homes which are Boca Chica Village. The county closes the only road to SpaceX on launch days. I don’t know of any properties on Boca Chica. I believe the best viewing would be from Isla Blanca Park on SPI, and are plenty of accomadations on SPI as well.

Isla Blanca Park on the south end of the island. There is an entry fee.

That's great info. Tell him thanks for the insights.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

At this point in time for this initial staff, I think Steele is the best option for DC.

I also think it may already be happening and either the negotiations still happening or Steele is working to find his guys to fill positional spots. Probably wait to announce it on Monday officially since all of the other contracts expire Sunday.

 

[Sleegro]

Love the space program. I had an uncle that was in charge of reusing Apollo computer equipment in the Space Shuttle program. He could tell some stories. I recall him talking about how fascinating he found a TI 84 calculator to be because it had more computing power than all of the computers used to send men to the moon.

Yeah it's crazy what they were able to accomplish with the technology available at the time.

 

[Batman1948]

I now have a Twitter... hit me up if you want

Run down to Walgreens and buy some ointment for it if it starts bothering you

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Logic points to bringing his entire offensive staff with him as being a huge mistake.

We can justify it. Get behind it. But it screams of “best staff in America” nonsense that we’ve already been through.

Disagree completely seems like every new hire has "his guys" for that first staff, and historically all our former coaches fell apart when they had to find new guys.

Heupel bringing his guys is probably the best option, he can trust them to teach his system without having to try and bring anyone up to speed on what he wants.

 

[Sleegro]

Yeah, that’s why I included the TE spot as a separate job. Golesh would follow as the OC.

His title at UCF was co-OC/TE coach. He's probably gonna have the same title here.

 

[RDU VOL#14]

Steele isn’t gone. I think there’s a reason he wasn’t let go when weinke and slim were yesterday.

Do you think Heupel and White are working hard to retain him? I think if they can work well together it would make sense for him to stay. I don’t think it would be a contrast in styles after working w/ Gus’s scheme at Auburn.

 

[MoCo_Vol]

Also for what it's worth in regards to recruiting, UCF under Heupel was going after big talent just like most SEC/Florida teams do. So it wasn't for a lack of trying they weren't landing them. I think he'll have more luck landing those types of targets here with the brand & facilities that we have.

 

[Power T-Rev]

Run down to Walgreens and buy some ointment for it if it starts bothering you

Out of all of social media, Twitter is figuratively the threshold of hell

 

[Vols4us]

Disagree completely seems like every new hire has "his guys" for that first staff, and historically all our former coaches fell apart when they had to find new guys.

Heupel bringing his guys is probably the best option, he can trust them to teach his system without having to try and bring anyone up to speed on what he wants.

Exactly.

He can always make adjustments as needed after this coming season. He gets a pass for 2021 and maybe 2022 depending on the sanctions. He doesn't know what to expect from his O coaching unit yet against the SEC. He knew what was needed at Mizzou because Pinkel already had a good system/staff in place for Odom. So hit the ground running with his guys on O.

However, he does know the D side of the ball stunk as far as coaching at UCF. Hire the best available that fit the culture he wants to build here.

 

[volbeast33]

We will need to agree to disagree. Which is fine. You do realize Roy Kramer was at the SEC office during Dickey's tenure - right?

Yep but it’s not just Alabama and Georgia that gets away with it.... auburn straight up paid cam newton 250,000 and fought them and won.... from what I have seen.... you comply and get hammered.... fight and punishment is weaker.... NCAA doesn’t like conflict.

 

[Batman1948]

SpaceX next rocket the starship. Those are about 14 stories tall and will eventually sit on a much larger booster. Will be the largest rocket ever made and fully reusable. Just refuel and launch. Larger pressurized cabin for people to ride than a 747.

Are you saving up for a ticket to ride one someday

 

[MrVolton]

Just noticed that UCF was #5 in the country for turnover margin last year. And #1 in fumble recoveries.

 

[BruinVol]

But. . .

Yea he’s been physically dominant but I know there Have been reports saying he’s physically dominant but his technique is lacking. That was the point I was making and a valid one. It can be both

 

[volbeast33]

So because both failed, you’d rather roll the dice on an unproven SEC staff?

I don’t think the staff for butch failed as much as butch lying and not being likeable led to a decline in recruiting and numerous transfers.... I feel it needs to be a staff he is comfortable with and is the only one that knows how good these guys are at their jobs.

 

[Ron Swanson]

I usually sit back read and keep my mouth shut, but I am done with that. I am 40 today. I have been a Vol fan my entire life. We have the best AD and head Coach that we have had in awhile. Compare their resumes with the previous people in their positions.

@Stepnstone24 coming in hot last night! I think we could be friends. Keep posting!

 

[Sleegro]

Disagree completely seems like every new hire has "his guys" for that first staff, and historically all our former coaches fell apart when they had to find new guys.

Heupel bringing his guys is probably the best option, he can trust them to teach his system without having to try and bring anyone up to speed on what he wants.

Not to mention that most of the guys he's bringing from UCF, were at p5 programs before UCF. Golesh at Iowa state, Ellerbe at Missouri, Kodi from auburn. Most complaints are based on people's perception of UCF being a small school instead of the actual facts.

 

[Batman1948]

So this seems to contradict the narrative that Steele did not know or understand what he was getting into when he was hired, which story is true and which is a lie

Probably which ever one fits your narrative and makes you feel better

 

[MrVolton]

If not Steele, who do you want for DC? Zack Arnett looks like a good option. Charlotte Warren had a good year at Indiana. Think we could hire him away? Jim Leavitt has always seemed underrated to me.

 

[volbeast33]

Still a safer bet to go with a majority staff with an already established rep.

Look, I’m totally on board with JH bringing his OL and WR coaches. Those would be good hires. It really isn’t even a terrible idea to bring the OC since he won’t be calling plays anyway. But the TE and RB spots should be filled with proven coaches in the Power 5, preferably with SEC experience.

If he decides on Merritt.... I have no issue with it..... Merritt started out helping with the Ohio state staff( probably grad assistant but not sure)..... has been well thought of wherever he has been......I feel we get too hung up on sec experience and just need good, energetic coaches..... if the players/recruits respond to him then that is all that matters.

 

[Batman1948]

Tee got us a natty. Let him stay on staff.

He didn't do it all by himself. He was on the team that won the Natty. Should we just hire all of those team members

 

[Kingston Vol]

I don’t mind Huepel bringing his O staff with him. They know how to work and teach together, and the O never failed to deliver at UCF. I especially feel good about it if we land Simpson and Hayden, I think they give us an in to a lot of the other instate kids. Combine that with a good showing on O for the season, and we could end up with a very good class.

D is the huge question mark, and I was all for keeping Steele. But the worst thing would be for UT to force someone on Huepel, that’s setting him up for failure and stuff like that is what has bitten us in the rear over the years.

Yeah, I’m fine with him bringing his staff for the reasons you mentioned. But two things give me pause:

1) It seems like he chased Lebby and Briles and neither wanted to come. So, by default, there are people he didn’t want to bring with him who he is now bringing.

2) none of these guys have a known track record of being elite recruiters. If the head coach isn’t good at it, you need a few hounds. Maybe Burns or Merritt evolve into it quickly.

Also I’m worried about not having anyone with Tennessee ties on the coaching staff. I think it really helps to have alums who will go the extra mile and also provide a bridge to the “Tennessee” way. This is Josh Heupel’s program now - I don’t mean to suggest otherwise. But there needs to be some guys there who can help him understand Tennessee and what the fanbase and former players want/expect.