Tennessee vs. Arkansas Coaching/Talent + The Future

[EaglesVols91]

I don't follow Arkansas and doubt anyone else here does, but there's no doubt in my mind we got the better coaching staff and I strongly believed this when both hires were made. Arkansas can't be worse than we are talent wise. We lost our QB, 3 WRs and TE to the NFL, (Rogers was signed by Jets, but cut) yet they get drilled 52-7 at home against South Carolina while we beat them. They were also 11-2 just two seasons ago, but looking at their schedule and how they've played, I can see them finishing their season 3-9.
Why am I bringing this up? Because ESPN among several other sports outlets picked Arkansas to make a bowl game while nobody had us in contention. Our recruiting is also #2 and I believe we can end up with the #1 class if we get a few more players that we're targeting. This just goes to prove we hit the jackpot with Butch Jones. It was ugly in the beginning, but the team is getting better and better every single week which is a complete 180 from the last 3 years when we only got worse as the seasons went on. Being close with UF, going down to the wire against UGA in OT and beating #11 South Carolina...who thought this could happen before the season? Can you guys imagine what the future is going to be if we recruit around the level that we're doing this season over the next few years?

 

[EaglesVols91]

 

[albedo33]

Actually, I thought that when you consider what Bret Bielema did at Wisconsin, he was a better hire than Butch Jones ON PAPER. So far though, the OP is correct. Jones has done a superb job recruiting, and with the improvement in play we've seen since the first game, he's doing an excellent job as coach at UT.

 

[EaglesVols91]

Actually, I thought that when you consider what Bret Bielema did at Wisconsin, he was a better hire than Butch Jones ON PAPER. So far though, the OP is correct. Jones has done a superb job recruiting, and with the improvement in play we've seen since the first game, he's doing an excellent job as coach at UT.

He just always seemed to underachieve in a weak conference. Even though Chaney wasn't awful here, he made a lot of poor playcalling decisions and underachieved with the talent he had so I'm not quite sure why Bielema picked him up

 

[BanditVol]

I don't follow Arkansas and doubt anyone else here does, but there's no doubt in my mind we got the better coaching staff and I strongly believed this when both hires were made. Arkansas can't be worse than we are talent wise. We lost our QB, 3 WRs and TE to the NFL, (Rogers was signed by Jets, but cut) yet they get drilled 52-7 at home against South Carolina while we beat them. They were also 11-2 just two seasons ago, but looking at their schedule and how they've played, I can see them finishing their season 3-9.
Why am I bringing this up? Because ESPN among several other sports outlets picked Arkansas to make a bowl game while nobody had us in contention. Our recruiting is also #2 and I believe we can end up with the #1 class if we get a few more players that we're targeting. This just goes to prove we hit the jackpot with Butch Jones. It was ugly in the beginning, but the team is getting better and better every single week which is a complete 180 from the last 3 years when we only got worse as the seasons went on. Being close with UF, going down to the wire against UGA in OT and beating #11 South Carolina...who thought this could happen before the season? Can you guys imagine what the future is going to be if we recruit around the level that we're doing this season over the next few years?

I'm glad you posted this, because I was thinking about this today. When Strong turned us down last year, shortly afterwards Bielema was hired at Ark and it made a big splash. I was like...wow, outdone by Arkansas in the coaching search. And looking at Bielema's resume, I thought it was possible he might do well in the SEC.

Well...my goodness, Arkansas SUCKS! We made a MUCH, MUCH better hire. All credit to Hart and Jones.

And...Oh Yeah! Who else lost last night? Did someone say LOUISVILLE????

Hell yeah!!!!! :clapping::clapping::clapping:

 

[butchna]

Since we're reminiscing....remember when posters on here were pining for Chaney whilst bemoaning Bajakian...future 30 for 30 feature :dance:

 

[EaglesVols91]

Since we're reminiscing....remember when posters on here were pining for Chaney whilst bemoaning Bajakian...future 30 for 30 feature :dance:

Imagine if Bajakian had Bray. I guarantee you these coaches would have got his head straight and instead of a "solid 7" like he told Gruden, he would have given it his all for Tennessee. Our previous staff really lost the team. That was evident after the Kentucky loss.

 

[Daloth]

He just always seemed to underachieve in a weak conference. Even though Chaney wasn't awful here, he made a lot of poor playcalling decisions and underachieved with the talent he had so I'm not quite sure why Bielema picked him up

Chaney had nothing to do with our under achieving, in fact he kept us within nearly every game we should've won.

Now, Sal comparing this defense to last years... there is our under achiever.

 

[EaglesVols91]

Chaney had nothing to do with our under achieving, in fact he kept us within nearly every game we should've won.

Now, Sal comparing this defense to last years... there is our under achiever.

Chaney wasn't bad, but he was not good either. Don't kid yourself