The difference between Tennessee and Alabama

[tvolsfan]

Bama, after probation, heavy sanctions, and Dubose, Price, Franchione, and Shula, had to make their hire count. They wouldn't take no for an answer, and they pressed on until January until they had a coach they were satisfied with. They are, once again, the best program in college football by a large margin. Tennessee just found themselves in a similar situation, minus the sanctions. Apparently, we just took the first guy who said yes.

I know people are going to talk about how Jones was the only one willing to take the job, but in spite of this train wreck of a coaching search, I find that unlikely. People spent the last three years convincing themselves that an obviously terrible coach was good at his job. I hope our fans will be a little more honest this time around. Ignoring reality just makes it take longer to fix the problem.

Maybe in a few years, we'll realize that the football program won't be fixed just because "we are Tennessee." We're only going to get what we demand. I firmly believe that Tennessee has the resources to have a successful, if not elite, football program. Maybe someday, Tennessee will believe it, too.

 

[Cdywolfe]

Amen...

 

[Cartervol]

To have to repeatedly say no one wanted the job shows there is a lack of commitment from the higher ups.. You have to sell it, and put enough money in front of someone to make then say yes.. I don't think that happened... You want to win in this league, you can't do it with dollar general store hires...

 

[bamawriter]

You are glossing over the fact that Bama got lucky. The timing of the Shula firing coincided with Saban getting sick of the NFL. There wasn't a similar situation available to Tennessee.

 

[onevol74]

My first thought when I read the text this morning was, "We fired Mike Hamilton for this?"

 

[rich4pres]

I always considered ourselves rivals with Alabama. After todays hire I guess we are not. I'm not going anymore.

 

[TreeGreen]

You are glossing over the fact that Bama got lucky. The timing of the Shula firing coincided with Saban getting sick of the NFL. There wasn't a similar situation available to Tennessee.

First thing I thought of when I saw the title of the thread. The difference between Tennessee and Alabama? Timing.

 

[tvolsfan]

You are glossing over the fact that Bama got lucky. The timing of the Shula firing coincided with Saban getting sick of the NFL. There wasn't a similar situation available to Tennessee.

Please. If Tennessee was in the same situation, I strongly doubt they would have waited until January until they got the answer they want.

 

[hatingbamaisawayoflife]

IT took bammer from 95 to 2006 to be relevant again.
op

 

[tvols75]

You mean the same Alabama that wanted Rich Rodriguez and got lucky he turned them down?

 

[General Jack]

The bammer administration has a greater will to win than does UT.

 

[TrueOrange]

You are glossing over the fact that Bama got lucky. The timing of the Shula firing coincided with Saban getting sick of the NFL. There wasn't a similar situation available to Tennessee.

Not to mention they were minutes away from signing, instead, Rich Rodriguez before he pulled away near the end, and that after that they went to look at / were talking to Wake Forest's Jim Grobe before it all happened.

 

[Voldemonium]

IT took bammer from 95 to 2006 to be relevant again.
op

I believe Bama won the SECCG in '99 but I think I understand what you mean.

 

[VolsRule]

tennessee could have paid saban type money---why didn't they get a better coach?

 

[SandoVOL]

Competence vs incompetence is the difference.

 

[TUSKtimes]

IT took bammer from 95 to 2006 to be relevant again.
op

Bama won the 1999 SEC title. One year later then the last title you people enjoyed.

Gee, I can't wait for you to start apologizing for everyone over here who obviously can. In that you feel the need to change post. Happen a lot?

 

[volfanjustin]

The difference is Bama was not satisfied with being mediocre at best. UT's decision makers are perfectly fine with being 6-6 every damn year.

 

[Vercingetorix]

Please. If Tennessee was in the same situation, I strongly doubt they would have waited until January until they got the answer they want.

I would wager a very large amount of money that the deal with Saban was already done and they knew they just had to wait until the end of the NFL season. They didn't just sit around for two weeks hoping he'd say yes.

 

[bamawriter]

Please. If Tennessee was in the same situation, I strongly doubt they would have waited until January until they got the answer they want.

We didn't wait until January. We hired Rich Rodriguez in December, and he ultimately changed his mind. It really wasn't patience as much as it was a fortunate turn of events.

 

[oregonvol]

The ultimate difference is that Alabama would never hire a TN grad to run their coaching search and then just sit back and watch as he floundered around, offering second tier candidates and working down the list.

 

[ETNVol]

Bama, after probation, heavy sanctions, and Dubose, Price, Franchione, and Shula, had to make their hire count. They wouldn't take no for an answer, and they pressed on until January until they had a coach they were satisfied with. They are, once again, the best program in college football by a large margin. Tennessee just found themselves in a similar situation, minus the sanctions. Apparently, we just took the first guy who said yes.

I know people are going to talk about how Jones was the only one willing to take the job, but in spite of this train wreck of a coaching search, I find that unlikely. People spent the last three years convincing themselves that an obviously terrible coach was good at his job. I hope our fans will be a little more honest this time around. Ignoring reality just makes it take longer to fix the problem.

Maybe in a few years, we'll realize that the football program won't be fixed just because "we are Tennessee." We're only going to get what we demand. I firmly believe that Tennessee has the resources to have a successful, if not elite, football program. Maybe someday, Tennessee will believe it, too.

UT is only one of a handful of football programs generating $100million in revenue. They have among the nations best facilities. There's no reason we shouldn't get a great coach, other than the AD and administration.

As long as Cheek and Hart are there, we're not returning to the top.

 

[hog88]

The difference between us and Bama is they, after some rough years nutted up and showed a commitment to winning.

We just showed a commitment to mediocracy.

 

[tn4elvis]

UT is only one of a handful of football programs generating $100million in revenue. They have among the nations best facilities. There's no reason we shouldn't get a great coach, other than the AD and administration.

As long as Cheek and Hart are there, we're not returning to the top.

Then how do we get rid of both of them.I wish I knew where they lived I would rent a moving trk. and leave in front of their houses.

 

[NGage]

The ultimate difference is that Alabama would never hire a TN grad to run their coaching search and then just sit back and watch as he floundered around, offering second tier candidates and working down the list.

This.

 

[iluvsmesumdooley]

I always considered ourselves rivals with Alabama. After todays hire I guess we are not. I'm not going anymore.

We're Bama's whore, not a rival.