So who IS Tennessee?

This week Tennessee’s new AD Danny White – fresh from the University of Central Florida – has been trying to hire a new head coach. The rumor is that he’s already got one, and Tuesday’s press conference will tell the world that they’ve hired [add name here].

But my question: How are the real Tennessee? 

THE BAD NEWS

The NCAA is going to be up your ass

There’s no kinder way to put this, but it’s very possible that if all the Jeremy Pruitt coaching violations are as true as they’ve been written, we might not have a UT Volunteers program worth looking for at least 3 or 4 years. It might not be death penalty scale, but it might plunge the team further into the mire. And even with this, the boosters will expect miracles.

And there are other facts….

Tennessee is not the biggest team in the world

Tennessee last won a National Championship in 1998, and won the SEC East in 2007. Alabama, LSU, Auburn and Florida have all won National Championships more recently, and Georgia has been in a National Championship Game more recently, too. This is not crapping on their parade, but that’s a fact.

They are maligned in mediocrity

The last time UT won 10 games was 2007, and the last time they lost three or less games was 2007. Since 2008 they’ve had TWO seasons with in-conference seasons, which means that they’ve padded their out-of-conference schedule with enough crap to keep them afloat.

They have a rough schedule

Every year, Tennessee plays Alabama, Florida and Georgia. While the last two are because of the SEC East, the whole “Middle Saturday in October” thing – already wearing thin (losing 14 straight will do that to you) – means that UT is generally going to be 0-3, needing any head coach to pull nine wins out of his ass. To say: “It’s a challenge” would be an understatement.

The boosters can’t stay out of your way. 

Boosters make college football teams tick, but at Tennessee (like Auburn and Texas) they are as bossy as can be. Hell, they ponied up the money to investigate their own head coach the last time around. They thew Phil Fulmer out, got him back, and threw him out again. They are impatient, living in the world of Peyton Manning, 1998 and Johnny Freaking Majors. They’ll make you kiss the ring. And if you don’t, they will try everything to boot you out. And if possible, without a pay-off.

You don’t own the State

There’s a lot of talent in Nashville, Memphis, Chatanooga, Knoxville and other areas, as well as relatively nearby Atlanta. But the State’s being raided for talent. In 2021 Tennessee only managed the 9th-best player in the State behind the likes of Ohio State, Clemson, North Carolina, Notre Dame and even Michigan. The chances of Tennessee being able to scrape back top recruits is difficult. And even in-State, teams like Memphis have exciting offenses which can tempt good wide receivers, too.

And dear Lord, the fans

The students write graffitti on a rock that’s become a Twitter meme. Everything from “Get Lane Kiffin” to “We hate ____” and they are self-serving leaders in Tennessee thoughts. Tennessee Twitter is nasty and it’s vicious. And boy, do they boo quickly. Or simply not show up if the team’s losing. Patience is definitely not a virtue with these guys.

Oh, and the cupboard’s going to be pretty bare, too. 23 players have put their names into the transfer portal, including sophomore DB Key Lawrence, who was the top player in the State last year. 

THE GOOD NEWS (AND THERE IS SOME!)

UT has the facilities 

Tennessee is as good as a lot of SEC teams with giving kids quite a place to call home, including a recently upgraded their locker room, and it’s not like they’ve been spendthrift like Vanderbilt.

When the fans are behind you at Neyland Stadium….WOW.

As much fun as people might make of Tennessee, when the stadium’s packed and the team’s doing well, the noise will send chills down your spine. It’s the type of places that a coach can recruit to. The fans are passionate, knowledgeable, and vociferous.

Tennessee is still a ‘big name’ in the South

Regardless of what people say, Tennessee’s still the big name in the State, and is big enough to raid North Carolina and Virginia, too. Yes, it might not carry the weight that it does, but if they are concentrate on keeping – say – Memphis receiving talent away from Ole Miss – then Tennessee will be better shape than you might think it will be.

Good luck, sir. Whoever you may be.