The CheckerBoard

That last comment is one that a lot of top recruits have to be thinking. We know to well how disastrous coaching change/turmoil can be. Why would top recruits want to be part of that - they wouldn't. If Tennessee can start strong this season, we might be able to land a few of these and perhaps turn a couple of verbals around toward us.

Seems like win and we're I'm. Glad to see a player actually admit that. We hold our future in our own hands. Go Vols!!!

The bottom line is if we win they will come.

I don't blame recruits a bit for taking a wait and see approach because I would not want to have to deal with coaching changes either. I'm not saying I believe the hot seat stuff, but there is a portion of the media that cannot mention it enough. I mean, everyday for a while on ESPN Insider they were posting about Dooley's hot seat and even talking replacements. Winning will quiet it all, so we need to win in a bad way to shed this negative perception. Honestly, I think the perception will be shed this year and we'll start to take the step towards being back.

To be fair, the media isn't to blame on this one. It's clear from everyone on UT's end - fans, administration and even Dooley himself - that he needs to win this year. No one is making up stuff in reference to Dooley potentially being on the hot seat. I would argue that many UT fans have been as impatient about Dooley as anyone. Media only are reacting to that.

I'll second that. Spot on, I'm fairly sure short of just disastrous injuries to several key players I think we Win 6+, but my gut screams 8+. I firmly think we have a real shot at starting 4-0, but EVERYTHING hinges on beating NC State to get that started.

Exactly BigO,
IF Dooley loses his job this season and a change is made then the Top will be as Rocky as ever, and it won't be from td's, first downs or big plays by the home team. My main concern is (1)the hit recruiting would take if they ax Dooley. Then, we have to worry about (2)assistant/position coaches jumping ship AGAIN.And all (3)the negative publicity that will come along with firing a head coach and under-performing 2 years in a row.I hate hearing Dooley on the Hotseat talk ALL the time because it means we are not yet the UT we want to be regardless of whose at fault.The hilltop IS oozing with talent this year or at least it feels that way in comparison to year 0 and year 1(in Dooley years). I hope we get 9 or 10 wins this year and all this speculation now is a distant,distant memory next season. It's now or never and I hope this is the attitude the team has from the opening kickoff against NC state. Gotta be optimistic this time of the year. Everybody's a contender. But IF we lose to NC state not only will I bleed some Orange, I'll cry a little Orange too. With that said Go Dooley and Go VOLS

Why doesn' UT just extend his contractnow? Seems that is wha is keeping a lot of kids away from UT or are they ging to fire him and start the process of the past 6-7 years al over again? We need to get a chach that can tell the recurits Yes I will be here next year. Why not extend al the coaches, so all of them can say it. Put something for sure in place, make the buy out clause to where they wouldn't want to leave. Looks like this kid would sign with the Vol if he knew the coaching status in the future!!