Tennessee leads list of programs that can be rebuilt quickly

[golfballs]

Tennessee leads list of struggling programs that could be rebuilt quickly - NCF - ESPN

1. Tennessee Volunteers
Current coach: Derek Dooley | Current record: 4-5

Even Dooley's staunchest supporters are willing to admit that Saturday's near-loss to Troy was unacceptable. But even Dooley's biggest detractors -- a group that seems to grow by the day -- are willing to admit that the program has a better foundation than when he took over three years ago. A team that was already on a slide under Phillip Fulmer grew insanely unstable under Lane Kiffin. Now that ship has been, if not righted, then certainly stabilized under Dooley, a former athletic director.

In the eyes of would-be head coaches, that gives Tennessee -- a program already blessed with ridiculous facilities, history and well-known deep pockets -- an edge over the other schools on this list.

"From outside the business of college sports, this might read a little nuts when I say this, but Tennessee has some momentum going right now," the SEC athletic director said. "Are they ready to win the BCS or even the SEC? No. But they've already bottomed out and are headed back up. You look at some of these other jobs and they are headed down first before they can come back up. UT has already been there. Derek has done all the heavy lifting. The next guy will reap the benefits from that."

It's a few days old, but I didn't see it on here.

SIAP

 

[Recoil]

Somebody referenced Dooley doing the 'heavy lifting' earlier this week or late last, but no big deal.

That article does have some merit. Compared to 3 years ago, this has to be a far more attractive position, particularly if some or all of the skill guys on offense come back.

 

[Titan&Volfan4life]

That could just as easily be totally wrong too.

It would depend alot on the new coaching staff and unless we get a huge HOMERUN hire our program could easily go backwards under the new coaches.

It will also depend on how many of our players either leave early for the NFL or decide they've had enough of Tennessee and transfer out to go play elsewhere.

it's a 50/50 toss up and we could get worse with new coaches unless we can get the homerun hire that most of us really want but that I doubt seriously we'll get.

VFL...GBO!!!

 

[volboy81]

Ive been on Dooleys side all this time but Im ready for him to go now. Hes lost the fan base. I dont think he is a bad coach, its just not working out. I do, however think all the D coaches are jokes that dont have a clue what theyre doing. When was the last time one of our DBs had a clue where the ball was when it was thrown? Sunseri should have stayed in that hole-of-a-place he came from!

 

[99gator]

I still don't see where the foundation is better.

I know where it was before which was terrible.

But, I don't see what there is to be excited about if the expected departures depart.

Year 1 is a death trap

 

[SmokeySC]

I still don't see where the foundation is better.

I know where it was before which was terrible.

But, I don't see what there is to be excited about if the expected departures depart.

Year 1 is a death trap

Well considering Dooley had to start all freshman his first two years in the program and the new guy will not have to, would be a start.

Dooley's first two years we were getting absolutely blown out by every team of relevance. We have some what closed the gap except for Bama.

There is some excitement that a new face will generate wins, but who knows .... :unsure:

 

[Scotty's Flat Top]

I still don't see where the foundation is better.

I know where it was before which was terrible.

But, I don't see what there is to be excited about if the expected departures depart.

Year 1 is a death trap

Thanks for your input. Now by all means GTFO.

 

[hohenfelsvol]

Deja Vu. We were on a similar list three years ago if I remember right.

 

[GahLee]

I still don't see where the foundation is better.

I know where it was before which was terrible.

But, I don't see what there is to be excited about if the expected departures depart.

Year 1 is a death trap

With a really good coach this team could have easily win 9 games this year and more next year.

UT's offense has the potential to be great and the defense could improve dramatically simply by play-calling and simple technique improvements.

UT isn't THAT far off, they just need better coaching to put them over the hump that Dooley always refers to

 

[RoanokeVol]

I actually feel a little more optimistic now. Haven't seen much other than doom and gloom articles. The article may be completely wrong....... But it could be completely right also.

 

[Jax_Vol]

I still don't see where the foundation is better.

I know where it was before which was terrible.

But, I don't see what there is to be excited about if the expected departures depart.

Year 1 is a death trap

scat gator

 

[Blledingtangerine]

With a really good coach this team could have easily win 9 games this year and more next year.

UT's offense has the potential to be great and the defense could improve dramatically simply by play-calling and simple technique improvements.

UT isn't THAT far off, they just need better coaching to put them over the hump that Dooley always refers to

insert: Defensive Coach

 

[BigOrange15]

I still don't see where the foundation is better.

I know where it was before which was terrible.

But, I don't see what there is to be excited about if the expected departures depart.

Year 1 is a death trap

Then you are blind or in denial. Either way, you are wrong.

 

[bamawriter]

It all depends on how many offensive guys leave early. If Bray, Hunter, and Patterson aren't available to the new staff, then sledding could be tough in the first year.

 

[hohenfelsvol]

It all depends on how many offensive guys leave early. If Bray, Hunter, and Patterson aren't available to the new staff, then sledding could be tough in the first year.

Tough, like what 6-6? A better coach can do that with a lesser squad easy.

 

[99gator]

Then you are blind or in denial. Either way, you are wrong.

Right.

Bray, cp, hunter, rogers, rivera, and a few o-lineman leave town following the season and Tennessee will be ready to make a run

 

[bamawriter]

Tough, like what 6-6? A better coach can do that with a lesser squad easy.

Agreed. I'm just saying that no one should expect more wins immediately. Unfortunately for Tennessee, Dooley has never gotten beyond rebuilding mode.

 

[Pepe_Silvia]

Right.

Bray, cp, hunter, rogers, rivera, and a few o-lineman leave town following the season and Tennessee will be ready to make a run

Nobody said anything about Tennessee "making a run" in the new coach's first season. But it's clear that we're much better talent-wise than we were 3 or 4 years ago.

 

[Recoil]

If all 3 leave + Rivera and Rogers graduate, we'd have:

QB: Worley/Peterman
WR: Howard, Dallas, Carter, Blanc, Bowles, Harris (incoming Freshman) who am I forgetting?
TE: Downs, Croom

Next coach/year success definitely hinges on the QB/WR situation

 

[Recoil]

The offensive side of the ball doesn't even take into account our dumpster fire of a defense this year. Until they upgrade speed on the back-end and improve discipline, that will continue to be an area of concern.

 

[ETNVol]

I still don't see where the foundation is better.

I know where it was before which was terrible.

But, I don't see what there is to be excited about if the expected departures depart.

Year 1 is a death trap

Then you're just being a gator fan, or are just ignorant of the team.

The Freshman - Juniors on the roster right now are vastly superior to what was left when Dooley took over the job.

 

[99gator]

Nobody said anything about Tennessee "making a run" in the new coach's first season. But it's clear that we're much better talent-wise than we were 3 or 4 years ago.

Have you seen the defense?

Where is the evidence of talent other than those who may leave early?

 

[jmacvols1]

Some observations:

--going by this forum, there is no time for a new coach to rebuild at UT, win championships immediately or be fired especially considering a new coach will inherit a far better program than Dooley did

--it is hard for some to give Dooley credit for anything...Dooley did not put the program in a hole, it was already there and Dooley has put forth tremendous effort to correct things. It's hard to win, much less win in the SEC, with a team loaded with freshmen and sophomores. It's not hard for me to see that Fulmer and Kiffin had a lot to do with the loses the past three years.


--Dooley has put together a great offense, the defense needs more work obviously. Having to still play freshmen in the defensive backfield (and elsewhere) is a clear indication there has not been enough time to build quality depth. I think Sunseri's new schemes were too complicated especially for the defensive backs. I hope next year they just run a plain 4-3 hard nose straight ahead defense.


--there is no 'home run' hire out there as far as I can see, changing coaches now will only set the program back further.

--the news media and some of the fan base are adding to the problems and are not a solution and I am afraid they will have an adverse affect to this years recruiting.

--I do not agree with all of Dooley's decisions but I can accept them and see them as part of the growing pains a HC goes through trying to rebuild a program.

 

[drodvol]

If all 3 leave + Rivera and Rogers graduate, we'd have:

QB: Worley/Peterman
WR: Howard, Dallas, Carter, Blanc, Bowles, Harris (incoming Freshman) who am I forgetting?
TE: Downs, Croom

Next coach/year success definitely hinges on the QB/WR situation

It hinges on Building an SEC defense. The offense will be ok. Doesnt matter who they bring in, unless he can make an immediate improvement on D expect the same results as this year. IMHO.

 

[finn]

Patience is not a virture among the Vol Nation. Had Saban pulled a 6-6 record his first year at UT, it would take at least 3 BCS championships before some folks on here would let it slide.