Patience is a Virtue

We’re approaching the halfway point of one of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory. Unfortunately, the Vols have stumbled, miss-tackled, intercepted, dropped passes, and underperformed their way to an 0-2 SEC record and 2-3 overall. Fans are ready to throw in the towel for the season and message board posters are already beginning to turn on the new coaching staff. Things are beginning to feel eerily similar to 2008…or are they?

When General Neyland laid the framework for football success with his seven maxims, he intended on saving his most meaningful and impactful for last. The 7th maxim states, “Carry the fight to our opponent and keep it there for 60 minutes.” Carry the fight, for 60 minutes; Some of the most powerful words in all of football. Throughout the 2008 season, I can’t recall a game (with the exception of MAYBE Mississippi St. or Kentucky) where the Vols actually carried the fight to an opponent for four quarters.

This season, however, there is a new attitude on Rocky Top. The coaching staff and players are emitting a swagger, an aura that wasn’t present last year. And if a player isn’t buying into this change, chances are they won’t be around to see the outcome (i.e Warren, Coleman, Paige).

This new found swagger, while it hasn’t resulted in immediate W’s, is a noticeable and progressive shift in Tennessee football that is indicative of the regime change. Even in their loses, they’ve been very competitive until the clock read zeros. Their three loses have been by a combined 18 pts, 10 of those against a #1 ranked Florida team. In those 3 loses, the Vols have scored 28 4th quarter points and held their opponents to a combined 10. Throwing in the towel is no longer an option. We aren’t quitting.

While the record may not reflect change, I truly believe changes are coming. Tennessee has the right mentality, the right coaching staff, they’re beginning to attract the right players and the relaxed, carefree attitude from the previous staff is quickly dissipating into the Smokies. So, Vol fans, have faith, have patience and, as the General preached, continue to carry the fight.