Guitar Shots to the Head: Signing Day Edition

If you are looking for signing day predictions, you are going to be disappointed.  Up to this point in my life, I have made it a habit not to get too emotionally involved with recruits until the John Hancock is on the LOI.  Call me cynical, but these are 18 year old young men we are talking about.  Just refer to all the old adages if you want to know which body part made 85% of my decisions for me at that age.

When signing day does roll around there will be many puzzled/excited Vol fans.  Some will be thrilled, some will be critical, and some will already understand what I’m about to tell you.  Once signing day occurs it is all about rallying around the players that pick your school.  Perhaps the artist Stephen Stills said it best.  “If you can’t be with the one you love….love the one you’re with….love the one you’re with”.

Don’t get down on this staff if you are distraught.  Recruiting, at its’ core is about relationships.  In the end Lane Kiffin decided that the coaches on his staff were more important than any one recruit. Letting coaches go has caused some losses on the recruiting board.  To some that may seem rather bull headed, but to me it signifies a deep commitment to the current players and those who choose to play with this football team.

Holding fast to that commitment is reason for Vols to celebrate.  After all, a player contributes for two or three years.  A coach is usually around for the long haul. Recruits do not shape the culture of your football program.  Coaches do.  Look no further than the preceding staff to get my drift.

I generally don’t hand out game or recruiting grades, but I’m making an exception this year.  For Kiffin’s commitment to his original blueprint he gets an A for effort in my book.  We’ve had more big names come through Knoxville than I ever imagined, and there is little doubt that Saban, Meyer, Miles and Richt are taking notice.  If the effort continues, next year’s signing day might be declared a state holiday for Tennessee residents.

Regardless of what happens on Wednesday, it will be time to get behind the Vols who put their name on LIO’s.  Those that don’t feel like joining the party might want to cue the Doobie Brothers. “What a fool believes he sees, no wise man has the power to reason away. What seems to be is always better than nothing.” If Lane and company didn’t get your prized recruit….just let them walk away.

I encourage Vol fans to throw the Stephen Stills in the CD player and think about how the efforts of this coaching staff will make us a better team in 2009.

See you on Wednesday.  Go Vols!