TNHopeful505
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What we saw today is a direct result of the following:
1) A losing attitude that has grown since 2007. Since then, UT has surprised nobody (save USC on halloween in black). Dooley furthered the losing attitude by bad coaching decisions, and close games that didn't go our way (UNC and LSU). His teams quit at halftime, and lacked any sort of fight to them.
2) Attrition that has seen us lose at least 48 players since Fulmer's last year. While coaches have traditionally recruited well here to where it FEELS like we should be competitive, the amount of players that were evaluated properly and that have contributed positively to our program, or that have remained at our program is very little.
What will it take to fix this?
1) Attitude change. Our teams have got to regain that swagger and confidence that will allow them to fight the whole 4 quarters. I've seen that more in the past 2 games than I EVER saw in Dooley's tenure. Our RB's are running harder than normal, getting upfield, our defense is continually playing hard and not quitting, though they're ridiculously tired. And our offense was still playing hard at the end of today's game.
2) Proper player evaluation and recruiting. Obviously, Worley was not a QB that was evaluated properly. There was a reason that the in-state schools passed on Peterman and Worley. Maybe we got steals with Ferguson and Dobbs, but it's too early to tell. But Dooley evaluated players for his "system," and they aren't the right fit for Butch's system. Butch is going to have to be very selective on the type of player he brings in. But notice what he is doing. He's brought in: winners, speed, playmakers, high character, high academics, and a genuine love of Tennessee and a feeling of belonging. That's going to translate to kids that are going to be here for all 4 years. If he evaluates properly, and these kids contribute, and are at UT the entire time, then all of a sudden, we have an incredible football team.
3) Time. This is the most important. This will not happen in a day. The attitude of losing, and the culture of losing will not change in one day. You feel it too, every time we get the ball, and you think "How are we going to mess this up?" We have become used to blowing it. The more we get these winners in here that refuse to accept that, the more we will see it slowly change. (This is why I truly believe that Riley Ferguson will be the QB we need, the guy doesn't know what losing is).
You've gotta change the culture, and that's gonna take time. It's been 7 years since we've felt any major success. It may be 3-4 before the expectation of success comes back and makes itself reality.
And of course, it's going to take time for Butch's players to get in and make a difference. I know everyone is excited for Hurd, and TK and Bates to get on campus next year, but let's be real, they are still going to be 18-19 year old freshman in the toughest conference in the world. It's going to be a while before many of them contribute at the level they need to. But by that second or third year of recruiting, we should see some major change, and we should get back to winning each game, or at least having a shot in each game we play.
Be patient Vol fans. I do not envy Butch's job at all. He's been dealt a tough hand. It's going to take time. It's not going to be easy. Just be there, so that when it becomes good again, you can say that you stuck with them through and through.
I love the Vols. Always. No matter what.
Proud of our boys today for the fight they showed. Hope they get the opportunity to surprise someone this year, and hope these seniors get to make a bowl.
1) A losing attitude that has grown since 2007. Since then, UT has surprised nobody (save USC on halloween in black). Dooley furthered the losing attitude by bad coaching decisions, and close games that didn't go our way (UNC and LSU). His teams quit at halftime, and lacked any sort of fight to them.
2) Attrition that has seen us lose at least 48 players since Fulmer's last year. While coaches have traditionally recruited well here to where it FEELS like we should be competitive, the amount of players that were evaluated properly and that have contributed positively to our program, or that have remained at our program is very little.
What will it take to fix this?
1) Attitude change. Our teams have got to regain that swagger and confidence that will allow them to fight the whole 4 quarters. I've seen that more in the past 2 games than I EVER saw in Dooley's tenure. Our RB's are running harder than normal, getting upfield, our defense is continually playing hard and not quitting, though they're ridiculously tired. And our offense was still playing hard at the end of today's game.
2) Proper player evaluation and recruiting. Obviously, Worley was not a QB that was evaluated properly. There was a reason that the in-state schools passed on Peterman and Worley. Maybe we got steals with Ferguson and Dobbs, but it's too early to tell. But Dooley evaluated players for his "system," and they aren't the right fit for Butch's system. Butch is going to have to be very selective on the type of player he brings in. But notice what he is doing. He's brought in: winners, speed, playmakers, high character, high academics, and a genuine love of Tennessee and a feeling of belonging. That's going to translate to kids that are going to be here for all 4 years. If he evaluates properly, and these kids contribute, and are at UT the entire time, then all of a sudden, we have an incredible football team.
3) Time. This is the most important. This will not happen in a day. The attitude of losing, and the culture of losing will not change in one day. You feel it too, every time we get the ball, and you think "How are we going to mess this up?" We have become used to blowing it. The more we get these winners in here that refuse to accept that, the more we will see it slowly change. (This is why I truly believe that Riley Ferguson will be the QB we need, the guy doesn't know what losing is).
You've gotta change the culture, and that's gonna take time. It's been 7 years since we've felt any major success. It may be 3-4 before the expectation of success comes back and makes itself reality.
And of course, it's going to take time for Butch's players to get in and make a difference. I know everyone is excited for Hurd, and TK and Bates to get on campus next year, but let's be real, they are still going to be 18-19 year old freshman in the toughest conference in the world. It's going to be a while before many of them contribute at the level they need to. But by that second or third year of recruiting, we should see some major change, and we should get back to winning each game, or at least having a shot in each game we play.
Be patient Vol fans. I do not envy Butch's job at all. He's been dealt a tough hand. It's going to take time. It's not going to be easy. Just be there, so that when it becomes good again, you can say that you stuck with them through and through.
I love the Vols. Always. No matter what.
Proud of our boys today for the fight they showed. Hope they get the opportunity to surprise someone this year, and hope these seniors get to make a bowl.
