The CheckerBoard

Thanks for posting, tnecvol. You must feel strongly about this if it caused you to make your first post in almost two years!

Thanks so much for being a loyal VIP member. We are very thankful to have you and all our other VIPs.

Please post more often!

Welcome China doll! Thanks for signing up and posting. Another new face/name and another posting on our awesome mobile site!

Funny stuff. Apparently everyone thinks that coaches are knocking down the door to come be the Vol coach. I have to ask what has changed since Fulmer was fired. Not much. So what is the draw? The job is no more appealing now than then except that all coaches know that 3 years is the the time limit to make the turn. Maybe a little better talent is on hand now, thanks to Dooley's recruiting. Patterson and Peterson were both persued when Dooley was hired. Not interested then and likely aren't now. Jimbo would be a great hire, but I can't see that happening. Gruden is an unknown at the college level and I believe his heart lies in the NFL. Tressel is too old to establish continuity and stability. I believe we need someone in their mid 40s to early 50s. That eliminates Tubby and Cut. List is getting short. Mora is not coming. List is shorter. I believe we are down to Golden, Strong, and Petrino. Out of those three, Petrino clearly has the superior credentials for the job and I believe he can be had NOW. This would likely save the recruits we have and get some additoinal chippers. He keeps Jay and Sam as part of the deal. I have nothing against Strong or Golden and they may be ok. But Petrino has been in the trenches in the SEC and wants to resurect his professional life. UT has done worse in its last two hires, a lot worse. I was born and raised in E Tennessee and I know it is full of former sinners who apparently have suddenly been sainted. IMO, Petrino is the safest hire out there right now. Kentucky and Auburn will both be after him. At least put some feelers out there while pursing others on the list.