The CheckerBoard

This is what you should expect in the SEC, but you're expected to win your fair share of these games.

Things are beyond the point of no return in my opinion. Even if he wins out the support is gone, recruiting is going to be far below competitive levels, and he isn't in a position to adjust his staff in any sort of realistic manner. Even if you think he deserves another year, if you look at what the situation would actually be going forward with him in charge it paints a very dire picture. This was the year he had to make a statement, unify everyone behind him, and shut up the doubters and contrarians using his job security against him on the recruiting trail. He didn't do that. Moving forward and trying to make the situation work is only going to exacerbate the issues Tennessee football is facing. Another subpar recruiting class, a late start on recruiting next year, a new coordinator and even a completely new system, and a win now mandate from an administration and fanbase who are not behind him are the recipe to really create a Colorado-like situation here within a few years.

He simply has to go. Fair or not, he has to go.

It's just one game.

You want to know who drove the previous staff away then look no further than Hart. His unwillingness to give contract extensions was a major contributing factor to that situation. Is that leadership, cut the legs out from under your coach and still not have the guts to fire him? The jury is still out on Dooley for me but this situation has a lot of players who have or at least appear to have made mistakes. As for our close losses you can look no further than Sal. Having said that I think Dooley hiring him puts Dooley squarely in the cross hairs. Shakespeare could not have come up with a more convoluted situation. For me the lack of a decision on Harts part last year and his lack of outward verbal support for Dooley is the key factor in this. Fire him or support him but don't leave him dangling. It leaves fans, boosters and coaches dangling as well and that's never good for them or the program. I have as much doubt about Hart as I do about Dooley. JMO

"If stability is so important, is it OK to ask why he didn't fight to keep Wilcox and/or try to replace him with a similar system since we had an upcoming season where we were expected to be competitive? He lost/ran off/ gave up his entire staff last year? Why does Dooley get a pass on his lack of consistency and stability?"

I think, in a way, you are confirming the OP's point. What would our record have been had we retained Wilcox? I may be wrong, but I think we would have won two of the five we lost. In hindsight, losing Wilcox was a terrible mistake, but one I primarily pin on Dave Hart. With all the talk of "hot seat", you could hardly blame Wilcox for seeking a multi-year extension. As I understand it, and I am no insider, Hart's refusal to consider the multi-year extension was a primary factor in Wilcox's decision.

That is right on target, as usual, my friend. +1