The SEC Forum at College Football Fan Site, CFB51!!!

I don't want to be one of those guys who say's he know's someone, but..... 

I'll say just that.  

and what I'm hearing is exactly nothing.  Not a single murmur.  Everyone seems to have a notion of finality, and it seems a foregone he's being launched, yet there is nothing coming out of that office she's willing to share.  Still, I can't believe there is nothing going on, and the silence could just as easily be attributed to certainty as anything... read: they know what they're doing and they've secured the loose ends already. 

on top of all of this, though, i wouldn't be too surprised if they kept him another season.  they have a record of acute stupidity that they'll want to be protecting from competitors. 

despite UT's record over the last decade, they are still a top ten revenue machine.  they started this season ranked under no merit of their own - riding the coat tails of players and coaching staffs much greater than them.  i reckon that is what we call helmet factor.  

performance over the last twenty years would place UT in a crowded room of schools- what they have going for them is there is little else in Tennessee to get excited over if you're an organized sports fan. Tennessee football is it... UT faced a real threat when the Oiler's moved in, but that didn't last too long.  I wager there are 20 UT licensed items sold to every one Titan item.  so... the legacy is all they have at this point, and they are in a real threat of losing it forever, or at least having to do some real convincing to change that.  

UT's legacy gave them facilities as good as any in the nation- that will continue to draw recruits so long as the recruiters stay out of their own way- it may not bring 4 and 5 stars who have their choice of schools, but it will bring good players for the foreseeable future- with facilities like they have, and the fact they're going to at least play contenders several times every year and all the exposure that brings, they'll have decent recruiting classes.  

i don't see them packing out that stadium if CBJ stays.  that is a big impact to image.  if there aren't at least 85k in Neyland, the place looks empty.  that impacts image maybe more than anything else. 

i've said it here and i will again- this is their crossroads in my opinion- retain CBJ or hire badly, and the hole they've already dug doubles or triples in complexity to exit, while connecting with a roundhouse that started from the floor five feet behind them will make UT considered an elite program all over again, even without production.... having the legacy allows them that. 

I just don't see Kiffin returning. I can see some fans being happy about it, but I don't see the boosters being excited about it at all. 

Before people start getting too down on Florida - the Gators were down 28 scholarship players vs Mizzou.  Suspensions + injuries.  

how many commits have dropped since the change, @OrangeAfroMan (from UF)?  

I can tell you there have been at least three prominent commitment drops from UT, and the coach isn't even gone yet... then, there will certainly be an exodus from the program afterward if they don't hire a huge draw... UT fans need to brace for the loss of Kelly, both QB's, Fil-Aimes and Chandler off the offense just as the beginning.  Some school will luck out hugely even if UT is fortunate and only loses half the mentioned players- and it won't be UT.  the hire is going to be HUGE for UT. 

imHo it won't be near as big a concern for UF, and that's why i brought that^ up.  there is confidence with UF players, staff, alumna and general fanbase that UF will hire well.   that confidence is sorely lacking at UT.    

I don't know if the OSU gig is any easier, I guess time will tell.

Ask him today. Today is not easy.