Tennessee has announced major changes this week. First up, no more recruiting off of the Dollar Menu.
Forgive the extra cheese on this article, but Jeremy Pruitt’s exit in the latest round of in-fighting at Tennessee had its shining moment on Tuesday when it was revealed that the Volunteers’ recruiting staff allegedly provided recruits with McDonald’s bags full of cash.
My source said they [Tennessee] were so in-your-face with this…they weren’t even trying to hide it. And that’s where my source said, ‘Tennessee got sloppy. Georgia has gotten sloppy.’ But there’s been no word of the NCAA looking at Georgia.
-Dan Patrick
Do we believe that Tennessee is doing anything that Georgia (or any other major college football program) is not doing?
Maybe McDonald’s bags are not being given out across the SEC, but some token of appreciation is likely being shared. It’s a story that’s as old as the sport itself.
So, what’s the difference between the situation at Tennessee and Georgia? Why is Tennessee getting busted?
Jeremy Pruitt was a few nuggets short of a Happy Meal.
The Vols program has been in disarray for the better part of a decade-and-a-half. Patience is running thin in Knoxville and, I imagine, a coach who was the product of a coup within the athletic department by the last head coach to achieve any level of success at the once proud program was not fully beloved by the entirety of the power structure in the land of the checkboard end zones.
If you haven’t seen Steven Godfrey’s “Foul Play” documentary which details the exploits of the bag men at the center of the Ole Miss scandal a few years ago, I strongly recommend checking it out. The first episode centers around the opening scene of the scandal: draft night for Larry Tunsil. What caused Tunsil to fall? Sabotage.
To be perfectly clear, I’m offering nothing but speculation here. I have no real inside info, but let’s call it a hunch.
I do not believe this story is actually about a McScandal.
If Pruitt had racked up a seven or eight win season in 2020, the University of Tennessee and McDonald’s would continue on their separate paths of existence in the minds of all SEC fans. Phil Fulmer would likely be proudly sitting at the head of an improved program and there would be plenty of optimism heading into 2021.
Kirby Smart and his program do not have this issue. Smart is still delivering, so what happens between the hedges will stay between the hedges. (Full disclosure: I’m picking Smart and Georgia because Dan Patrick did so above and because I enjoy it. It won’t be further mentioned, but both coaches have past coaching ties to the best recruiting machine in the sport…perhaps these T-Town disciples learned a thing or two along the journey to their destinations.)
This Rocky Top reckoning with the NCAA was likely pushed forward by forces within the program and no one should be surprised. Someone in Knoxville wanted a change and someone in Knoxville made it happen. When a program is ready to make a change, they’ll find a way to get it done. Most programs don’t usually shoot themselves in the foot to make a change, but that special someone pulling the levers in Knoxville must be inclined to save themselves…errr, the school, the bulk of the $18.6 million in buyout money owed to Pruitt and his staff. Firing with cause paves the way to save a few bucks.
We saw a similar hunt for an excuse to dump an underachieving coach occur in our backyard just a few years ago. Do any Gator fans believe McElwain’s claims of death threats had anything to do with his departure?
If so, show me where that ranked on the actual reasons to fire the man. I have a feeling it would sit somewhere behind: failure to develop a quarterback, failure to develop an offense in general, and getting dusted nearly every time he played a team with remotely the same level of talent…also, freaking out about the shark photo thing. Not cool! You could’ve just had fun with the story and embraced it, but when embracin’ sharks just ain’t your thing, it’s important to let the world know, “Hey guys, heckfire, embracin’ sharks just ain’t my thing.”
I know my first reaction to this video was, “Falsifying death threats is a serious issue and it needs to be dealt with swiftly.”
When a school wants to find a reason to get rid of their coach, more often than not, they can find a reason.
Back to the Vols.
Whatever is going on in off-the-field in Knoxville needs to get settled before the Vols have a chance to compete at their desired level on-the-gridiron. Here are a couple of points on the Tennessee job posting which should raise red flags:
Win the rivalry games
Three main rivals: Alabama, Florida, and Georgia all have a combined record of 98-19 over the last three seasons.
The fanbase will be upset if their head coach doesn’t manage to beat these teams with some level of regularity.
Yes, Alabama is Tennessee’s permanent cross-over SEC West opponent even though it’s not much of a rivalry. Tennessee beat Alabama nine times between 1960-1994. The only recent real success the Volunteers have had over the Tide was during Alabama’s wandering years between Gene Stallings and Nick Saban – Rocky Top managed to win 10 of 12 matchups from 1995-2006.
Tennessee has beaten Alabama 19 times in their last 61 meetings dating back to 1960, but hey, the game is played under the moniker, “Third Saturday in October,” meaning it must be a good rivalry, right?
I think Tennessee might need to revisit this decision and start pushing the SEC to reconsider its scheduling methods. I’m all for tradition, but an annual beatdown is not worth preserving a rivalry with the worst nickname in sports.
Last win against each:
-
- Alabama – 2006…Streak L14;
- Florida – 2016…Streak L4 in a row and 15 of 16;
- Georgia – 2016…Streak L4 in a row and 9 of 11
That’s 38 losses for Tennessee in their last 41 attempts against their biggest rivals, including a current combined 18-game losing streak.
Someone in the back is yelling, “You forgot about Vandy!”
Surely, most Volunteers fans would appreciate it if I avoided mentioning their 4-5 record against in-state rival Vanderbilt since 2012. For comparison, you’d have to go back to 1950 to rack up five Vandy wins against Alabama; 1959 against Florida, and 1991 against Georgia (Really, UGA?!? I’m surprised, disgusted, and delighted all at once).
Tennessee should focus on getting the Vanderbilt problem under control before worrying about competing with the big boys…which is a poor segue for the next point that should raise red flags on the Tennessee job posting.
Compete annually for the SEC East, win the SEC at least once every five years, and win a national title
Tennessee has South Carolina-sized production with Alabama-sized expectations.
On top of that critical formula being out of whack, the program is currently a disaster and a failed (alleged) usurper is in place keeping the next head coach’s seat warm. (Auburn is grateful that the folks behind the scenes at Tennessee have usurped their position as the school with the biggest behind the scenes dumpster fire this offseason.)
More Steven Godfrey coupled with more corny lines. Fits in perfectly with the theme of this article.
https://twitter.com/38Godfrey/status/1351239115451281411?s=20
I try to find the best in each situation. I really do…so let’s give this shot.
The Volunteers can win at a high level if they find a top-notch coach capable of dealing with Game of Thrones-level palace intrigue behind the scenes while competing with the likes of Alabama on the recruiting trail and winning on-field matchups which haven’t been won with any level of regularity since before the dawn of WiFi.
When you step back and take a look at the full scope of the Tennessee job, you realize why a coach might break and “get sloppy” on the recruiting trail.
How lucky must Greg Schiano feel to have avoided this mess? The ole, “Thank God I ended up at Rutgers over Tennessee” feeling that so many people have experienced in this lifetime.
Currently, Tennessee is nowhere near producing anything resembling its glory days without all of the behind the scenes drama, but that specific element makes this job nearly impossible at the moment.
Plenty of coaches will line up for the paycheck. However, none of them should be surprised when, after an unrealistically short timeline, they are completely undermined and pushed out of the door.
Yes, Pruitt cheated and got caught. Yes, according to the rules, he was wrong, but just so we’re on the same page, the “It Just Means More” slogan is not about anyone’s feelings. SEC schools don’t “care” more than other conferences. They do more and when you win, what you do is more of a mystery. When you lose, Twitter gets to make McDonald’s jokes between now and eternity.
Tennessee is still capable, but the group making decisions in Knoxville has set the program back at least another five years.
Which bag is handed to your school’s recruits?
SEC Edition
Golden Arches fit perfectly into the Tennessee “T” – Illuminati?
The undisputed champ of the SEC meet the undisputed champ of fast food.
Pub sub bags give plenty of space and promote joy within the Sunshine State.
Zaxby’s is good…but it ain’t Chik-fil-A good. Plus Zaxby’s needs to learn how to manage the quarterback position.
For a moment in 2019, some folks believed Popeye’s was about to overtake
Chik-fil-A and become the king of the chicken sandwich. Turns out Popeye’s didn’t properly stock the inventory, took a temporary hit while they were out of sandwich materials, fired Bo Pelini, and, by the time they restocked, Chik-fil-A had fully reclaimed its throne with no debate.
Mostly bad, but sometimes great. Perfect for the occasional intoxicated indulgence.
Enthusiastic greetings given. Has the all the tools to be the best, but will never quite get there.
It may have won your business once, but you won’t be going back anytime soon.
Despite the improvement on the football side of things, the Colonel’s number one priority will always be buckets.
Occasionally decent, mostly forgettable. Not the worst, not the best.
Mostly poor menu, but you’ll hear a lot about their Famous Whopper.
A notch below Burger King, but the fries keep it in the ballpark most years.
Someone: Do you want to eat at Krystal?
You: No.
A shared nautical theme goes along well with a shared “being the worst at what we do” theme.
A McScandal in McTweets
https://twitter.com/PabloEscobarner/status/1351587343334072325?s=20
https://twitter.com/PabloEscobarner/status/1351585871875735553?s=20
https://twitter.com/ConradVols/status/1351569282665230337?s=20
Blessed to announce that I have received an offer from the University of Tennessee #AGTG pic.twitter.com/ANcybo9pHY
— Pregame Empire (@PregameEmpire) January 19, 2021
— Pregame Empire (@PregameEmpire) January 19, 2021
BREAKING: Tennessee has landed a commitment from 5⭐️ DT Grimace pic.twitter.com/RYVS8rjnuM
— Pregame Empire (@PregameEmpire) January 19, 2021