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Non rumor mill topic about Gruden

  • I know that I am probably in the minority across volnation and that's ok with me. I would like for someone to come up with a reason besides his name that make Gruden the best candidate for the job. I know it is probably not going to happen anyway but why in the world would people be dying to get him as the next coach. I am just curious as to why he is the top candidate.

    I get he would sell tickets right away and that he is very recognizable name but beyond that what did he do at Oakland and Tampa Bay (besides win a SB with Dungy's players) that would lead you to believe that he will come in and be the next Saban, Meyer, etc... He was a .500 coach in the NFL and has been out of coaching for what 5 years now. I feel a coach from the college ranks would be better suited with the recruiting and everything that goes along with CFB as opposed to the NFL.

    I will take the downvotes or whatever criticism that ensues after writing this but I am not sure that the Gruden or bust attitude is the best for UT right now.

    erburn

  • I will say this about him winning the SB with Dungy's players....he beat the Raiders in the SB who had his players.

    It's hard to take anything away from him for winning a SB in his first year at another team since he beat the team he had just left in the championship game.

    "People think I'm the greatest damn coach in the world, but Neyland taught me everything I know" -Bear Bryant

    Denver Vol

  • Denver Vol said...

    I will say this about him winning the SB with Dungy's players....he beat the Raiders in the SB who had his players.

    It's hard to take anything away from him for winning a SB in his first year at another team since he beat the team he had just left in the championship game.

    I will agree with that to a point only because the next two years he went 7-9 and 5-11

    erburn

  • He also took the Oakland team to the AFC Championship game the year before were they were robbed by a nonsense in the grasp call - they should have been in the Superbowl that year as well.

    davesojka

  • davesojka said...

    He also took the Oakland team to the AFC Championship game the year before were they were robbed by a nonsense in the grasp call - they should have been in the Superbowl that year as well.

    I guess I should have specified that with him being out of coaching for 5 years and no college experience to speak of besides an assistant in the late 80's what makes him so much better than everyone else

    erburn

  • JMO, he makes us THE story on college football all off-season and next season.

    mangelou

  • I agree that there are question marks, erburn. I don't think anyone knows how he'd fare, but he is a player's coach and someone that would energize the fan base. It's also likely that he'd recruit extremely well.

    There are risks with every candidate, including Jon Gruden.

    "People think I'm the greatest damn coach in the world, but Neyland taught me everything I know" -Bear Bryant

    Denver Vol

  • I agree he already has made TN the story but I want someone that wins I just have a bad feeling that if he was hired that in 2-3 years he is leaving for the NFL again and TN is still an 8 win team. If someone comes in that can truly turn TN around and make them a contender again that is how you fill seats long term not just a flash in the pan "big" name

    erburn

  • But the name (and the face) is a big part of it. If I put the average 18yo football player in a room and asked them to pick Fedora, Strong, Golden, Fisher, or almost anyone else on our 'list' out of a police lineup, could they? If I put Gruden in the same lineup, do you think they'd know who he is? If so, who do you think they would be more interested in playing for? Who would Dad and the HS football coach be more interested in meeting on an in-home visit?

    I don't doubt that all of these guys can coach well (i.e. managing the game on the field, managing practice schedules, etc.), and each would likely do things the right way behind the scenes. But successful recruiting is AT LEAST 1/3 of the job description, even if you hire someone else (e.g. Hinshaw currently) to really coordinate most of that part of the business. The HC still needs to be a closer. This is especially true for UT, who does not have any recent successes to point out for these potential recruits but _must_ be able to recruit players nationally to compete with our SEC brethren for titles.

    That is why I am/was holding out hope for a well known, well respected coach to take over at UT. We need 4- and 5-star caliber recruits to compete with Bama, UF, USCar, and others. So far as I can see from this chair, Gruden gives us a more immediate chance of attracting these young men than the others at this point. The others will probably have to build up recruiting bases much more slowly, if ever.

    -Doc

    RealGlobadoc

  • With his name and connections, he will be able to pull in some good coaches and pay them well. Then the 5* players will see this and want in. And with better players and coaches, we start winning again. I may be wrong about this, but at least my wife isn't on this board to let me know.

    Subwayvol

  • erburn said...

    I guess I should have specified that with him being out of coaching for 5 years and no college experience to speak of besides an assistant in the late 80's what makes him so much better than everyone else

    erburn, for me it is the enthusiasm level that makes me think he will be successful if he ends up on the Hill. For starters, his "star power" is going to help tremendously in recruiting, something that is already showing promise based on comments from prospects. I like to think that if you can put elite players on the field, the opportunities for success increases dramatically.

    Secondly, again in reference to the star power, I think he would put together an exceptional coaching staff, from the OC/DC to the trainers. From everything I've read or heard about him, all of the stories paint Gruden as a workaholic and a perfectionist.

    Lastly, I think his desire to win will make the program successful. I know every coach that takes the field "wants" to win, but I believe Gruden will make the players "expect" to win. In interviews, he always talks about how much preparation and study is required to be successful.

    Once he steps back on the sideline, he has something to prove . . . I just hope that sideline is in Neyland and he is wearing Tennessee Orange!

    signature image signature image signature image

    "Old School"! A strong defense wins championships!

    volviking

  • RealGlobadoc said...

    But the name (and the face) is a big part of it. If I put the average 18yo football player in a room and asked them to pick Fedora, Strong, Golden, Fisher, or almost anyone else on our 'list' out of a police lineup, could they? If I put Gruden in the same lineup, do you think they'd know who he is? If so, who do you think they would be more interested in playing for? Who would Dad and the HS football coach be more interested in meeting on an in-home visit?

    I don't doubt that all of these guys can coach well (i.e. managing the game on the field, managing practice schedules, etc.), and each would likely do things the right way behind the scenes. But successful recruiting is AT LEAST 1/3 of the job description, even if you hire someone else (e.g. Hinshaw currently) to really coordinate most of that part of the business. The HC still needs to be a closer. This is especially true for UT, who does not have any recent successes to point out for these potential recruits but _must_ be able to recruit players nationally to compete with our SEC brethren for titles.

    That is why I am/was holding out hope for a well known, well respected coach to take over at UT. We need 4- and 5-star caliber recruits to compete with Bama, UF, USCar, and others. So far as I can see from this chair, Gruden gives us a more immediate chance of attracting these young men than the others at this point. The others will probably have to build up recruiting bases much more slowly, if ever.

    -Doc

    That is the one trump card for sure he is the most recognize face in coaching right now. I am always paranoid and pessimistic though and that is why I think if someone else comes in and struggles 2 years they get a pass if Gruden comes in with his 7-9 million a year payroll and struggles and then bolts for the NFL or broadcasting again the people will say if Gruden couldn't do it at TN then no one can.

    I agree his impact is immediate but not sure it can be sustained if you are going to pay 5 million plus I think a proven winner at the college level can be bought.

    erburn

  • Subwayvol said...

    I may be wrong about this, but at least my wife isn't on this board to let me know.

    Thank God for that or I would always be wrong here too!!!

    erburn

  • erburn said...

    That is the one trump card for sure he is the most recognize face in coaching right now. I am always paranoid and pessimistic though and that is why I think if someone else comes in and struggles 2 years they get a pass if Gruden comes in with his 7-9 million a year payroll and struggles and then bolts for the NFL or broadcasting again the people will say if Gruden couldn't do it at TN then no one can.

    I agree his impact is immediate but not sure it can be sustained if you are going to pay 5 million plus I think a proven winner at the college level can be bought.

    Heck, anyone may leave in two years. It is the nature of the beast nowadays. Say Golden gets the job and does well. He's a Penn State alum. Maybe O'Brien gets the killer offer from the NFL and leaves, then PSU comes after Golden. Does he turn them down? Maybe, maybe not.

    If the talent is in the university, then the 'next' coach has something to build upon rather than a coach leaving and the talent not being enrolled (see CLK here). So we need to just get the best available recruiter/coach in (whoever that may be) and let the chips fall where they may in a few years.

    RealGlobadoc

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