The CheckerBoard

I'm 36, so Im not sure if I considered old. I've been a Vol fan since my freshman year in 1994 and retroactively a Vol fan since before I was born. I have an opinion and would also like to add some questions for those who were fans during the Johnny Majors years. To answer your question, this is the worst defense I've seen. We won the East in 2007, but that defense was probably second worst. We only gave up 404 yards per game and 27.3 points per game (I had to look that up). I'm guessing this year's defense is statistically far worse. What's ironic is how good our defenses were in 2005 and 2008 giving up less than 300 yards per game and less than 20 ppg. Our offenses were anemic that year. As a side note, Chavis had his share of haters among fans when he was here.

I am 45 and loved the Vols my whole life. My first game i attended was in 1982 and only missed 3 home games from then till 2000 when my son started playing on Saturdays.
1. Ken Donahue is only one I can recall right now.
2. I don't remember people complaining bout the assistants only majors.
3. Donahue was fired during the season. Don't recall how others left.
4. The 85 defense was best overall under majors. 88 was the worst.
5. I think most of Fulmer assistants were on major's staff. Don't remember him firing many.

Marmie was well-liked by the fan base at one time and the phrase Marmie's Army was awesome. But my favorite under Coach Majors was Ken Donahue. If for no other reason, his scheme that completely dismantled Miami's high powered offense in the Sugar Bowl. However, with Coach Majors, if you didn't produce, you got canned. Donahue's downfall was the start of the 1988 season at 0-6. Giving up 50+ to Washington State was the final straw and Majors fired him midseason.

1.

1977 to1979 Bobby Roper
1980 to1982 Bobby Jackson
1983 to1984 Larry Marmie
1985 to mid1988 - Ken Donahue
mid-1988 to 1989 - Doug Mathews
1990 to 1991 - Larry Lacewell
1992 - Larry Marmie

2. I would put them at good. Generally, Lacewell liked more so than Marmie by fans

3. Lacewell left on his own after getting fed up with JTM. Marmie left first time for better job I recall

4. DOnahue / Lacewell. Difficult to say. early DCs had a pretty bad roster

5. I don't recall him forcing anyone but there were some changes. My recollection migth not be right

Cut went from QBs to OC/QB
Brought in Steve Marshall to take his place with OL
Brought in Kippy for WRs and moved Randy to RB replacing Charlie Coe (think COe left on his own)
Ray Hamilton left and he brought in Jacob Burney for DL
Tim Keane left and he brought in Lovie Smith for DBs

This is why I love this site. Thanks for the history report LWS. +1

Great feedback guys thanks for all the replys.

I began listening and watching(not many TV games back at the beginning) in 1957. My answer to your question is simple... NO! This is the most horribly coached defense I have ever seen by a UT team. If Sunseri had any pride he would resign and spend some time reflecting on whether he has what it takes to be a DC. He would be doing all these young men a favor. Are they overly talented? No Are they less talented than any team in the SEC? No Are they middle of the pack in talent? Yes Are they confused? Yes...to the point of despair. Could better defensive play calling from the sideline help? Yes Would that solve most of the problems? No Would better coaching, scheming and play calling solve most of the problems? Yes...probably 50% Would 50% have bought us more wins? Absolutely...easily 6-3 and maybe 7-2. JMO but again my answer to your question is NO!

BTW, that 0-6 1988 start was the darkness before the dawn with regards to the run from 89-01.

I am 39 and have been watching games regularly since 1990. I am not trying to sound overly dramatic, but this is the worst defense I think I have ever seen in the SEC since I've been watching.