Perspective.
We have examples staring us in the face of how to return to national relevance in football. We also have one showing us how to become the #1 and possibly the GOAT depending on the finish. Both won the SEC tournament after decades of having not done so. The premier conference in America. Focus on that for a moment.
Each head coach started with a mess on his hands. Each charted a course using good character, commitment to process, strong development.
The older head coach came after being fired by idgits. Nobody ever denied he knew basketball, could develop players well or that he could build a program. They just said he could never win the big one and that it would be hard to recruit to Tennessee. Wrong on the later, to be determined on the former. Look who wins the majority of NC's - older coach led programs. Now NIL has leveled the playing field versus the bag men method. Nobody can deny the program is on its best footing ever. There is a legit shot to get to that first FF or win it all at some point, especially since some of the NCAA's pet former NC winning coaches have retired. Along with the NCAA being defanged as well.
One head coach is younger. He went where everybody he knew said not to go. Some who thought that really believed UT would always be awful and cared that the good young coach would fail. Some knew that if the sleeping giant awoke, their own situations would worsen. We know what happened and will continue as that young coach is loyal to the core and is being handed the keys to the kingdom in return for what he has done for the program and the Vol fan base overall. No point to rehash how little he had to work with in doing it. However, its the stuff legends are made from and is long term.
As a result the players know they have their optimum opportunity to succeed at the next level by being Volunteers in ALL of its sports programs.
IMO, that method is exactly what Heup and staff are doing. They are only in Year 2 and look at what is already happening. Yes - you need the elite players to compete on an elite level consistently. But that does not mean the recruiting service rankings dictate who is elite and who is not. How did the services rank Grant Williams and Drew Gilbert coming out of HS? One became a first round draft choice and is playing a major role for his team in the NBA finals. The other will most likely be a first round choice in this year's draft and remade himself from a pitcher/part time player who had serious health concerns growing up into a premier hitter and fielder with speed in CF. Again, see the two head coaches and programs above. They saw what others did not - the potential and ability to build the system to accommodate those type players. Development first and then be good on game day. As the success builds, the truly elite players will choose to be Vols or have UT in their top 3. Check. It's actually happening early in the process for football compared to the two programs above with the help of NIL and the portal. Heup is doing it the same way. Hendon and Cedrick. Really? A failed, transfer QB from Va Tech and a last minute recruiting class throw-in receiver from Las Vegas with a .8255 rating on 247 - the #1677 prospect and #246 receiver nationally from the non-football state of Nevada. Both being the recruits of Cornbread. Fast forward. If they stay healthy, what round do you predict they will be drafted in next April? Development. See the other two programs above for reference. Heup is doing it the same way. It works.
It's OK, the BVS has been cured. If you are not over it mentally by now you are addicted to fear porn. We owe a debt of gratitude to the leaders of the university for making this happen - Randy, Donde, Danny and the BOT. Same for Spyre and the historically supportive boosters and donors. Most all we owe it to long suffering Vol fans like on here who hung in there through the bad stuff. Hat tip time.
Now, I am going to enjoy this summer like no other in recent memory. My TL;dr posts are done. Off to the beach to play in the sand with our grandchildren and enjoy life. Blessings and good wishes to everybody.
too. He just needed to make room for some extra marijuanas that day.
