Battle? You want to compare him to Battle? I'm sure he's a fine, upstanding fellow, but let's pray the current bammer is better against his alma mater than Battle.
Chavis, I don't know why you keep deleting that post. Opinions HAVE changed from the past week. My high hope of this search was Gruden, Petersen, Patterson. They are sure fire home runs. Patterson has a statue at TCU. Petersen doesn't move for pretty much anything. That leaves Gruden. I truly think Haslam effed it. I truly think Gruden said no the second time and I'm not sure any amount of money would have fixed it. After the Schiano fiasco, all hell breaks loose between boosters, the mess hits the media and bridges are lit on fire with good sitting head coaches. Not necessarily burnt, but no sense in trying to cross that bridge. Why would a stable head coach with good job prospects (Brohm, who I wanted, or anyone else) leave to walk into this mess? And why throw 6-7m per at someone like Brohm? He still hasn't PROVEN he is the next Petersen or the like. He has risk. So that leaves high quality coordinators with potential. I'm not happy that it took a booster war to get Haslam on his way out (Haslam still barely has his scummy fingers in the search - see below) and cost a chance at Gruden or any other high quality coach. But that's where we are. I'm not happy about it. I accept it, though. Given where we are, I think Pruitt has the potential to be a good hire based on his past. He could be a dirt bag, but there are a lot of those in college football.
I hope I'm wrong... For all my [itch bay]ing and moaning... I'll watch in September. That will determine if I watch in October and November. I won't be going to the Orange and White game like I was planning to if it had been Gruden.
Agree. I liked the way he presented himself yesterday. I believe he will be a players coach and imho, that is needed at this point. If you're not willing to run through a brick wall for your coach, your not going to give it your all.
I need some time to get over the fact that he is a Bamer - assuming I ever will get over it. For me, that really sucks. It takes some fun out of it.
Assuming it doesn't impact his work here, think of all the free UT publicity we'll get while BAMA is on the tee vee. That's all they'll talk about. Otherwise hardly a mention of us would be made. It's a great PR move.
Because I've decided to "try" and stay clear of further discussion. Many said they would be out. I said it and I genuinely want to be. It is difficult.
Your opinion is as good as mine, if not better. I still feel he should be doing all Tennessee stuff if he's Tennessee's coach. I'm not changing my opinion on it.
I agree with you. I also understand if he wants to support the guys on his team now. There's some old-school coach loyalty there somewhere that makes it not as offensive to me as it is to you, and there are ways to play it so that it isn't so damaging to UT.