How Did Tennessee Get So Good So Fast?

We ended up with another coach who is shell shocked during his first HBC job in the SEC

it will probably get even ugly next yr. I don’t think Napier has the elite ability to turn around a program

but in all fairness, there were not many choices out there, still aren’t any rn

 

I think UT is a bit of a paper tiger, though. Bama isn't a great defense this year, and when they hit one (UGA) things will likely get messy.

 

Hooker is the difference for them right now but I too think they are suspect overall. Their defense is just not that good and they have gotten lucky a few times this year. I wouldn’t be surprised to see someone like Kentucky surprise them. Georgia will take care of them too.

 

The problem is you have to trade blows with them either way. Kentucky doesn't have the offense this year, for whatever reason. Georgia does.

Mizzou, Kentucky and UGA will bring UT's offense down to earth a bit but you aren't going to stop Hooker. He's really, really good.

 

Hendon Hooker is the answer to the OP question.

If UT had Emory Jones, Bama's #2, Tyler Van Dyke, Dillon Gabriel, Brady Cook, or most other starting QBs, they would not be 7-0. More like 5-2 at Best (UF and Bama losses).

Hooker does not throw picks. Hooker is a very elusive runner. Hooker knows that offense inside and out.

It is not the scheme. That same scheme went from great to hmmm at UCF when the qb play dropped off a bit. If it was scheme then every coach in USA would mimic it completely.

The scheme at UT is "part" of the success, but it also needs players who can execute it.

Spurrier's scheme did not work with poor or just average QB play. Urban's scheme did not work with Brantley at QB.

 

Personally, I think UT beats Jawga. If not UT will not lose by more than about 7 points.
I think folks are going to be surprised. This UT team is for real.

Josh H. has done a remarkable job in all facets of this program, especially culture. These kids love this guy and the fanbase as well.

In times past I have made the argument on other message boards that elite coaches always seem to put it all together in year two. I don't have the time right now but I'll provide as many as 7-10 examples of coaches turning a program around from year two forward.

I fear that the huge salaries being paid these days serve as a disincentive to succeed.

 

Muschamp wasn't known for his offense.

 

Possibly and if he develops a consistent O and better than average D, he might become our "Mark Richt" and have difficulties getting past 9-10 win seasons and get the boot after 5-6 years. The next will come in to a loaded cupboard.

 

I suspect it will be relatively close, but UT went down to the wire with UF and a much weaker Bama. They have not yet faced a stout defense.

 

They are doing what Mullen did. McElwain was not an ace recruiter but he definitely was able to identify talent, and filled a LOT of roster holes left by Muschamp. McElwain was able to get off to a quick start due to great defensive pieces left by Muschamp, but very few offensive pieces.

Mullen, the X's and O's guy that he is (like Heupel) was able to put that together into a few excitingly fun seasons. He neglected the recruiting part, which is why Napier is off to a slow start now.

Tennessee is reaping the benefits of the here and now, but we will see how Heupel does in a few years when it is fully his program.

 

QB play. Imagine what they would be like if Morgan was still the quarterback.

 

AR is projected to be a first round pick. Hooker isn’t close.

If AR and Hooker swapped places Tennessee would be even better and Florida would be worse.

Scheme matters a ton in college football.[/QUOTE]
At the end of the season we’ll see what the league thinks of Richardson. I don’t see first round grade at all.

 

*yet*

 

I get it. Assistants really matter. Will be crucial for CBN to cut-throat and find the best assistants possible if someone on staff currently cannot produce.

 

That should be an interesting matchup. I might have to tune in to take a bit of a look even though I rarely watch any game that the Gators aren't playing in.

 

Sure, just like every team....however, everything else being the same, which offense would you fall in love with if you were a recruit watching this year, UT or UF's? Of course maybe its just about who gets paid the most and with AR signing with Gatorade that might pique some interest.

 

Honestly, I took a wait and see approach with Meyer, there were things that I didn't like. But as you note he made some changes and the base offense he ran at Utah was wide open.

I was wait and see with all of our hires honestly, and not part of the "OMG this guy is so great I love him" ever. I want a bigger sample size. Maybe I'm cautious by nature in that regard.
It was all the hype and love fest that bugged and still bugs me about Napier. His resume is IMHO weaker than any recent hire's except maybe Champ.

I thought last year Napier's first duty was to keep a good class and keep the good players here to help with the transition. I don't think he did that, it's cheap and easy to say well they sucked and good riddance or he's "getting his guys, be glad". We lost pretty good Dudes to the portal that way.

Napier's clock management at times baffles me (more than one or two games), as does the tendency to want to stick to a run first game plan (reminds me of Champ).

The player accommodation improvements have been in the works for a while, so he doesn't get credit for the indoor practice facility.

 

So fast?? LOL You mean like in the last 20 years???

 

Coach H runs a hurry up offense and struck gold with a transfer QB that has blossomed.

They beat us, gained confidence and caught an over-rated BAMA defense at home and won on the last play of the game.

Kudos to them. If they are smart they recruit like crazy while the rose is in full bloom. As to whether UT can return to prominance in the SEC remains to be seen and is still a longshot, especially if that stud QB moves on.

Personally I hope they best UGA. In my opinion SEC defensive coordinators will catch up to UT's offese pretty quick.

They best make hay while the threshings good.

 

I agree with a lot of this with a couple of exceptions.

I was disappointed with letting the recruiting class fall apart although he did bring back shemar James and landed kamari Wilson who were trending other places before Grantham was let go. I was really bummed we let Hopper and Bogle go but we don't know if he had any chance of keeping them here because in the end it was their decisions to make. Maybe he knew it was a tear down so why not start with the guys you want for your system rather than continue the mess the last guy started. Still, I would have liked to see some defensive transfers in to offset the losses and now here we are...

Meyer's offense came in with even more question marks than Napier’s as most people were critical of its qb run heavy offense ability to work consistently in the SEC. Alex Smith carried it as much as 20 plus times in a game while at utah.

The facilities were on their way but e en the players have praised Napier for the food, parking and overall atmosphere of the program.

Total agreement about game management so far.

All I know is this. Napier claims he studied up on our past failed hires and is aware of the pressure and expectations of this program. He brought operations and organization into the modern world Saban created. I'm going to give the guy the benefit of the doubt and some time before feeding into the negativity that our rivals love to see permeate our program.