Why was Jim McDonald head coach for one year?

#1
zjcvols

zjcvols

"On a Tennessee Saturday night."
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#1
So after Wyatt was let go, McDonald takes over and goes 5-5. I did some half-assed internet research but I cannot find why he only coached one year, just that he stayed on as assistant AD after the 1963 season?

Anybody got a reason or remember what was the reasoning? Was it just an interim to do a national search?
 
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#2
#2
I think it was just due to the result and clear he wasn’t the guy. Since he stayed here, I’d guess it was mutual or his call. I feel like I read long, long ago that it was his call and he didn’t really want to be the head coach but I may recall incorrectly.

Boosters ponied up to pay his 45.7 million dollar buyout. I know his son was a very good player here in the late 60’s.
 
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#3
#3
zjcvols said:
So after Wyatt was let go, McDonald takes over and goes 5-5. I did some half-assed internet research but I cannot find why he only coached one year, just that he stayed on as assistant AD after the 1963 season?

Anybody got a reason or remember what was the reasoning? Was it just an interim to do a national search?
Click to expand...
McDonald was an assistant coach, I believe. His staturs was "interim" after Wyatt lI eft. Of course, his successor was Doug Dickey, who resurrected the Tennessee football program. From what I recall Jim McDonald had no aspirations of being a head coach. He just did his time. :cool:
 
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#6
#6
OrangeInKy said:
I think it was just due to the result and clear he wasn’t the guy. Since he stayed here, I’d guess it was mutual or his call. I feel like I read long, long ago that it was his call and he didn’t really want to be the head coach but I may recall incorrectly.

Boosters ponied up to pay his 45.7 million dollar buyout. I know his son was a very good player here in the late 60’s.
Click to expand...

Wait, what?

45.7 million $ payout in the early 60s?
 
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#9
#9
OrangeInKy said:
I think it was just due to the result and clear he wasn’t the guy. Since he stayed here, I’d guess it was mutual or his call. I feel like I read long, long ago that it was his call and he didn’t really want to be the head coach but I may recall incorrectly.

Boosters ponied up to pay his 45.7 million dollar buyout. I know his son was a very good player here in the late 60’s.
Click to expand...
No chance that was his buyout
 
#12
#12
feathersax said:
McDonald was an assistant coach, I believe. His staturs was "interim" after Wyatt lI eft. Of course, his successor was Doug Dickey, who resurrected the Tennessee football program. From what I recall Jim McDonald had no aspirations of being a head coach. He just did his time. :cool:
Click to expand...
Only to betray us. Great AD, but I'll never forgive his betrayal in leaving for UF.
 
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#17
#17
My recollection was that Wyatt being let go was a sudden thing - he assaulted a sportswriter at the SEC Meetings while under the influence. Back then, this sort of stuff got hushed up but that was the rumors anyway. McDonald was purely an interim until they could hire someone else (Dickey).
 
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#19
#19
zjcvols said:
So after Wyatt was let go, McDonald takes over and goes 5-5. I did some half-assed internet research but I cannot find why he only coached one year, just that he stayed on as assistant AD after the 1963 season?

Anybody got a reason or remember what was the reasoning? Was it just an interim to do a national search?
Click to expand...

McDonald pulled a Cliff Wettig.
 
#20
#20
OldandStillaVol said:
My recollection was that Wyatt being let go was a sudden thing - he assaulted a sportswriter at the SEC Meetings while under the influence. Back then, this sort of stuff got hushed up but that was the rumors anyway. McDonald was purely an interim until they could hire someone else (Dickey).
Click to expand...
I think that’s right. Wyatt unfortunately had problems with alcohol and they were forced to make a move over the summer.
 
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#24
#24
OldandStillaVol said:
My recollection was that Wyatt being let go was a sudden thing - he assaulted a sportswriter at the SEC Meetings while under the influence. Back then, this sort of stuff got hushed up but that was the rumors anyway. McDonald was purely an interim until they could hire someone else (Dickey).
Click to expand...

GAVol said:
I think that’s right. Wyatt unfortunately had problems with alcohol and they were forced to make a move over the summer.
Click to expand...

Interesting I didn’t realize it was an abrupt departure. I thought Wyatt was let go for a poor record
 
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