That and Fulmer had fallen so far when he was let go. We had seen a problem with effort in 07 at times and a complete meltdown in 08. Then, Kiffin comes in, has the team playing above the talent level and then leaves. You sandwich a good job between 4 bad ones and people remember the one good a lot more. I do think Dooley did a decent job in 2010. The UNC game is still the only time I have heard a spearing penalty called
The UAB game and what happened in Baton Rouge made me think he was never going to be anything more than an 8 win or so guy here consistently. I thought maybe he could catch lightning in a bottle with Bray and Hunter and get Tennessee back to SEC East contention. After 2011, I doubt he's able to do that.
Just watched that video compilation of Hardesty earlier in the thread. After watching Poole tote it for the last 2 years (no offense to him), Hardesty is about 3*10^7 times as badass. I know offensive line play was bad but Poole couldn't hit a hole if it was the ocean and he was on the deck of the Titanic.
Yes, USC 24/7 readers, a great many Tennessee fans have "gotten it" for awhile. Kiffin's abrupt departure was stinging, to say the least. In fact, you'll notice on the photos associated with our Twitter account that it was members here who started the "Bring Kiffin Back" faux movement and placarded the signs all over campus (allegedly). Of course, I believe it was more of a protest toward Dooley's reign, but some props for Kiffin were unmistakable elements, as well. In fact, visit 8thMaxim.com - A Tennessee Vols Sports Forum - BringKiffinBack.com for some more jilted lover shit, albeit tongue in cheek. And as always, feel free to register and discuss it with us - we don't hate all USC fans, or even most.
I don't think there are very many Vols fans at all that actually believe Dooley is a better coach than Kiffin. In fact, there really can't be many Vols fans at all that actually have much confidence in Dooley at all. Once Tennessee hires a real coach and is good again, I think people will be a lot more honest about it.
I'm pretty sure a lot of us have been getting that since 2005. Fulmer running the program off the cliff has little to do with the hate for Lane Kiffin.
I agree, TV. I never understood how Kiffin's leaving suddenly made him / EdO / Monte(!) suddenly turn to shit as coaches / recruiters, either. I guess it made people feel good to think it, but it was about the stupidest line of thought I ever heard.