With my first blog let me lay the ground work. I am not one of those fans who jump on the "lets fire the coach" wagon every time something does not go like I think it should. After enduring what I will classify as the worst sports year ever in UT history 2012 came in with yet another gut punch. As many fans found out we are now looking for more coaches to fill the current football staff (again). While some fans were not happy with the job Justin Wilcox was doing as the defensive coordinator most realistic fans will recognize that this area was the only part of our team that showed steady progress over the course of the season. I have become very tired of the "cute sarcasm" that Derek Dooley likes to portray during interviews. Here is one example in his press conference from today:"
I don't know why you all keep bringing that up. Da'Rick is on our team and he hasn't been suspended. Jimmy (Stanton) keeps telling me that they keep asking out there. I don't want to talk on our roster issues, but Da'Rick is on our team and he is good. I don't really get it, but it just continues on. I guess it's just like me retiring. We used to get our fix for drama about, I guess, 20 years ago in the afternoon soap operas. That was the only drama that you could really get that got you all stimulated, but know we get it 24 hours a day, man. There is a lot out there. I guess it is a mistake not getting involved in the drama. Thank God I have Jimmy. I used to get my annual chatter update from Hubbs at my radio show, right Brent? That's what we are in and the drama can become a reality if you don't address it. I am acknowledging that and that is why I am here today, one of the reasons I am here today.
Well get control of the "tweets" your players send out and some of this can be avoided.
"I think what I just said. Twenty-two months ago we walked into a tough situation and we have rolled up our sleeves and gone to work every day. Despite some of the hard bumps that you hit along the way, it doesn't minimize the progress that has been made at the foundation-level, it doesn't minimize what the roster looks like heading into next season and it doesn't minimize the excitement that we have outside of this area in recruiting and elsewhere. Listen, I am excited and I am fired up. I don't know what else to say. When you get drawn in to the drama, it is toxic. It really is. It is bad for the soul. When you love something, when you are talking publicly about it, you support it. Whether it is your family, your wife, your school, your program. When you love something, you support it. That doesn't mean that you don't have concerns about it, it doesn't mean you don't air out some things privately if things aren't going the way you want it, you support it. We have one of the best fan bases in the country with a passion that is unmatched. I wouldn't trade them for anybody. When you have some bumps along the way, there is going to be some passion the other way and that is great. It is healthy, but the most important thing is how you move forward and how you fix it. That is all I am focused on."
While Dooley is correct that the situation at UT is better now than 22 months ago we are still a long way away from the type of product that us UT fans fell in love with. As I am one of the most sarcastic people around, I have to realize the time and place to refrain. It is not all about the wins and loses it is also about the pride that the coaches and players display. Coach Dooley needs to look at the series of events that have happened prior to the latest changes.
- Losing Season (and losing to Kentucky)
- Players not wanting to play
- Coaching staff leaving (again think back Dooley.... Where is the Washington staff originally from? USC??)
There is a time and a place for sarcasm and arrogance. Now is neither!
GO IRISH!!!!!
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