The CheckerBoard

Two quick thoughts:
1. DCVol, not sure if you saw my earlier post, but I in no way think wanting CDD gone makes someone irrational or anti-UT.
2. JMO, but the question lends itself to this type of true fan vs. anti UT discussion because to say you want him fired even if he wins out and wins a bowl game is a pretty strong statement.

If we win out, we probably get Bell and a few other highly ranked recruits, have an 8 win season for the first time since 2007, and would end with a top 20 to top 15 recruiting class. Voting No could be interpreted as saying you would rather lose a game and start over with a random coach.

I already stated that if he wins out, I don't have a problem with him coming back. The people who don't want him back today, I suspect could believe that he should be gone even if he wins out (they don't want to see UT lose a game), because they just don't think bringing him back, 7 or 8 wins or not, is good for the program, and many of them have listed several coaches over the last few weeks they believe are better coaches and more qualified to lead UT back to elite status. You may disagree but that doesn't make you "rational" and them the opposite. It just makes you in love with your own opinion. That's not abnormal. Most of us are in love with what we think.

For instance, my opinion, which is totally rational, is that you "should" only bring Dooley back if you're willing to make sure he goes into the homestretch of recruiting with four years left on his contract and can give a statement of support to him and assure recruits and their parents that he's your coach long-term unless he falls off a motorcycle into a ditch with his girlfriend/assistant. Right now Dooley only has three years left on his contract, a bunch of SEC losses, a loss to Kentucky, the perception that he can't take less talent (as the better coaches have been known to do) and win a game he shouldn't, a questionable D-coordinator, a lackluster resume, and an AD who hasn't been willing to throw Dooley verbal support. I don't think going 7-5 will get him an extension and I didn't in June. If that's what it takes for an extension and he reaches that mark, well bring him back. I have nothing to say about it, because it gives him a chance, even if I believe he won't succeed, of moving the program forward. Once again, although I don't think you "should" bring him back without an extension and a real opportunity to move the program forward, I understand if you bring him back with 7 wins.

Now if he goes 8-5 with a bowl game win against good competition, that might get him an extension and vote of confidence, a chance at a better recruiting class and some momentum going into next year, among other things. However, the situation is more complicated than 7-5 he comes back. He should only come back with an absolute opportunity to move the program forward and 7-5 alone doesn't make that happen. He needs an extension, IMO probably needs a new D-coordinator (which means you have to pay Sal a buyout), is there a D-coordinator out there that is willing to coach under Dooley, and who is he going to lose on offense to the draft and expired eligibility all have to be considered.

Also 7 wins is only an improvement over 5 if you believe that quantity of wins is the only thing to be considered. You have to view his record last year through the lens of the Kentucky loss. Beating Kentucky this year isn't going to be perceived as an improvement. Additionally one could argue, at 7 wins, that the only thing that improved was the schedule since we dropped Arkansas and added Missouri. There are alot of different ways to look at this and yours isn't the only rational view.

No. How long does Tennessee want to continue to play subpar football??

+1 to Rockytop and DCV for a rational discussion. I think Rockytop was a little misunderstood. It would be totally out of character for him to bash other UT fans. I could see how his post may have been construed as such but if you look at his reputation as a first quality poster you know that wasn't his intent. Everyone is a little on edge these days. GO VOLS!

Yes