We begin this edition of the War Room as we always do. The War Room is a collective effort of notes and news gathered throughout the week by Brent, Rob, and Austin that is located only on the General's Quarters. And now, it's on with the news.
It’s a couple of days of family and friends time for the Vols as they are home for Christmas before heading to Nashville on Christmas night.
One thing that seems pretty clear in and around the program is that this team really wants to play in this bowl and as we know that’s not always the case. But this team has practiced well in Knoxville and there are clear expectations to do the same in Nashville.
In fact when news came of Texas A&M not being able to play in their bowl, someone in the program said “let’s play two”. Jokingly of course, but the point is this team wants to play. Doesn’t mean a win or anything, but they haven’t and aren’t mailing anything in.
The Vols seem to be healthy as well. Of course Alontae Taylor is out leaving a big question mark at that cornerback spot. We think Kamel Hadden will get the first snaps there but we expect multiple guys will play.
The other unknown is Cade Mays at right tackle. Mays has not been practicing but we expect he will test the ankle early next week in Nashville and we will see where things go from there. If Mays can’t go don’t be surprised if Dane Davis and Jeremiah Crawford don't split some time at right tackle. Crawford is a guy who has benenffitted a good bit from the extra fundamental work this month.
Position coaches hosted their players for holiday meals this week and the off the field bonding is a continued point of emphasis for this staff as it is for other coaches on campus as many sports did similar things. Those gatherings seem a bit more significant this year after being unable to do them a year ago.
Of course there’s plenty of discussion regarding COVID and college athletics as basketball games have been cancelled and obviously the Texas A&M situation with the Gator Bowl as well.
As for the Vol football team, over 90% are vaccinated and a good portion of those have received their booster shot as well. Tennessee is not testing vaccinated players unless they have symptoms. Those not vaccinated are tested weekly and 48 hours before competition. To date, the Vols haven’t had any issues.
We noted last week that it’s going to be interesting to see how AD Danny White handles coaching contracts in football. Heupel was 10th in the SEC when it comes to salaries in 2021. Sam Pittman is expected to jump ahead with a new deal he’s seeking with agent Jimmy Sexton.
The other area White will likely have to address is assistant's salaries. The average assistant coache's salary in the SEC is $604,000. Only Glen Elarbee and Alex Golesh make more than that on offense. The other three offensive assistants made less than $400,000 this year.
Golesh at $750k is one of the lowest paid coordinators in the SEC and he made a little more than half of what Vol defensive coordinator Tim Banks made in year one.
Golesh, according to RebelGrove publisher Neal McCready, has turned down overtures from Lane Kiffin to be his OC after Jeff Lebby left for Oklahoma. We can confirm that Golesh has definitely been someone Kiffin has been pursuing because of his familiarity with the fast paced up tempo offense.
One would think some new deals are coming for the Vol staff.
Following Tennessee’s bowl game the staff will get some time off as the recruiting dead period doesn’t end until Thursday, January 12th, meaning there is 16 days of on the road recruiting in January. Under the current recruiting calendar there are 30 days you can be on the road recruiting. That’s one reason there’s some talk about changing the early signing day because by signing early you are only eliminating two weeks when a coach can be in your home.
As for the newcomers that went through a few practice this week, it was a productive glimpse at what they will bring to Rocky Top.
Justin Williams will have to learn to run not so upright but showcased during limited work what Tennessee was hoping for in a bigger and explosive work.
As for Tyre West and Jordan Phillips, the two defensive linemen turned some heads and did enough to impress and “made everyone in that room take notice”.
It’s a couple of days of family and friends time for the Vols as they are home for Christmas before heading to Nashville on Christmas night.
One thing that seems pretty clear in and around the program is that this team really wants to play in this bowl and as we know that’s not always the case. But this team has practiced well in Knoxville and there are clear expectations to do the same in Nashville.
In fact when news came of Texas A&M not being able to play in their bowl, someone in the program said “let’s play two”. Jokingly of course, but the point is this team wants to play. Doesn’t mean a win or anything, but they haven’t and aren’t mailing anything in.
The Vols seem to be healthy as well. Of course Alontae Taylor is out leaving a big question mark at that cornerback spot. We think Kamel Hadden will get the first snaps there but we expect multiple guys will play.
The other unknown is Cade Mays at right tackle. Mays has not been practicing but we expect he will test the ankle early next week in Nashville and we will see where things go from there. If Mays can’t go don’t be surprised if Dane Davis and Jeremiah Crawford don't split some time at right tackle. Crawford is a guy who has benenffitted a good bit from the extra fundamental work this month.
Position coaches hosted their players for holiday meals this week and the off the field bonding is a continued point of emphasis for this staff as it is for other coaches on campus as many sports did similar things. Those gatherings seem a bit more significant this year after being unable to do them a year ago.
Of course there’s plenty of discussion regarding COVID and college athletics as basketball games have been cancelled and obviously the Texas A&M situation with the Gator Bowl as well.
As for the Vol football team, over 90% are vaccinated and a good portion of those have received their booster shot as well. Tennessee is not testing vaccinated players unless they have symptoms. Those not vaccinated are tested weekly and 48 hours before competition. To date, the Vols haven’t had any issues.
We noted last week that it’s going to be interesting to see how AD Danny White handles coaching contracts in football. Heupel was 10th in the SEC when it comes to salaries in 2021. Sam Pittman is expected to jump ahead with a new deal he’s seeking with agent Jimmy Sexton.
The other area White will likely have to address is assistant's salaries. The average assistant coache's salary in the SEC is $604,000. Only Glen Elarbee and Alex Golesh make more than that on offense. The other three offensive assistants made less than $400,000 this year.
Golesh at $750k is one of the lowest paid coordinators in the SEC and he made a little more than half of what Vol defensive coordinator Tim Banks made in year one.
Golesh, according to RebelGrove publisher Neal McCready, has turned down overtures from Lane Kiffin to be his OC after Jeff Lebby left for Oklahoma. We can confirm that Golesh has definitely been someone Kiffin has been pursuing because of his familiarity with the fast paced up tempo offense.
One would think some new deals are coming for the Vol staff.
Following Tennessee’s bowl game the staff will get some time off as the recruiting dead period doesn’t end until Thursday, January 12th, meaning there is 16 days of on the road recruiting in January. Under the current recruiting calendar there are 30 days you can be on the road recruiting. That’s one reason there’s some talk about changing the early signing day because by signing early you are only eliminating two weeks when a coach can be in your home.
As for the newcomers that went through a few practice this week, it was a productive glimpse at what they will bring to Rocky Top.
Justin Williams will have to learn to run not so upright but showcased during limited work what Tennessee was hoping for in a bigger and explosive work.
As for Tyre West and Jordan Phillips, the two defensive linemen turned some heads and did enough to impress and “made everyone in that room take notice”.
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