I have followed the Vols since the '60s as a student when Doug Dickey was bringing this program back to conference and national prominence. I was there to see Tennessee beat Bama 4 years in a row from'67 to '70. Of course Battle was coach for the game in '70. It was always disappointing to see Dickey leave for what he had rebuilt at Tennessee.
Battle had 3 very good years using some of Dickey's players but mediocrity set in beginning in '74 as recruiting fell off and he was fired after the '76 season. Ironically he never had a losing season. I was surprised and disappointed he was not successful. I always felt bad for Condredge in '73 and '74 that he didn't have a more supporting cast.
But we got our guy in '77 when Johnny came home. In todays lingo that was a home run hire to the nth degree. However, the cupboard was bare and the late '70s were a struggle with the ND win in '79 being the highlight.
But the '80s were frustrating as hell because we never had 2 consecutive good years. But '89 did start a great period of the '90s, although '92 was a year where we blew the chance to win the east and be in the first SECCG. But we had a run of 45-5, 2 SEC titles and a national title. Wow, what a run.
The first part of the new decade did have us get to three SEC title games, losing all three, with 2001 the bitterest of all with what we lost.
So I have seen ups and downs throughout my fandom for the Vols. But the last say 13 or 14 years and where we are now is the worst I have ever seen. Yes, we had a few good years with Butch, but not sustainable and built on sand, not bricks. These losses now and in the last several years are not just losses on the record but they are blowout losses. We are not close to being even competitive. The last three weeks we have lost by 23, 27 and 31 points and one of those was not Alabama or Georgia. It was freakin Kentucky. In the last 2 games, our offense has scored the same number of touchdowns (3) as they have given to the opponent.
I am not ready to fire Pruitt if for no other reason than I am sick of coaching searches. But to say I am disappointed in where we are in year three is a huge understatement. We are working on our 4th coach in 12 years, having had just 2 coaches the previous 32 years.
Can you imagine if we lose to Arkansas under their first year coach when they had an incredible SEC losing streak and our coach is in his 3rd year. And I don't think we beat them. Hope I'm wrong.
Right now college football ain't fun, at least for me, when my team sucks. So at age 73, I am losing hope that I will ever see this team REALLY big time again beating big teams.
Sorry for the length but it was theraputic for me just to write it. And if you read this far, thank you.
GO VOLS
Battle had 3 very good years using some of Dickey's players but mediocrity set in beginning in '74 as recruiting fell off and he was fired after the '76 season. Ironically he never had a losing season. I was surprised and disappointed he was not successful. I always felt bad for Condredge in '73 and '74 that he didn't have a more supporting cast.
But we got our guy in '77 when Johnny came home. In todays lingo that was a home run hire to the nth degree. However, the cupboard was bare and the late '70s were a struggle with the ND win in '79 being the highlight.
But the '80s were frustrating as hell because we never had 2 consecutive good years. But '89 did start a great period of the '90s, although '92 was a year where we blew the chance to win the east and be in the first SECCG. But we had a run of 45-5, 2 SEC titles and a national title. Wow, what a run.
The first part of the new decade did have us get to three SEC title games, losing all three, with 2001 the bitterest of all with what we lost.
So I have seen ups and downs throughout my fandom for the Vols. But the last say 13 or 14 years and where we are now is the worst I have ever seen. Yes, we had a few good years with Butch, but not sustainable and built on sand, not bricks. These losses now and in the last several years are not just losses on the record but they are blowout losses. We are not close to being even competitive. The last three weeks we have lost by 23, 27 and 31 points and one of those was not Alabama or Georgia. It was freakin Kentucky. In the last 2 games, our offense has scored the same number of touchdowns (3) as they have given to the opponent.
I am not ready to fire Pruitt if for no other reason than I am sick of coaching searches. But to say I am disappointed in where we are in year three is a huge understatement. We are working on our 4th coach in 12 years, having had just 2 coaches the previous 32 years.
Can you imagine if we lose to Arkansas under their first year coach when they had an incredible SEC losing streak and our coach is in his 3rd year. And I don't think we beat them. Hope I'm wrong.
Right now college football ain't fun, at least for me, when my team sucks. So at age 73, I am losing hope that I will ever see this team REALLY big time again beating big teams.
Sorry for the length but it was theraputic for me just to write it. And if you read this far, thank you.
GO VOLS
