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Tuesday
Posted: Tue, November 14th, 2017, 5:24 PM • Permalink
Tennessee Search Day #2: I'd like to begin today by welcoming the great John Brice to our contributor family. John has done a tremendous job covering the Vols for well over a decade. He will be a tremendous addition to our efforts here. Spread the word!!!! John Brice is in the house.

John Brice
'Don’t waste time seeking the “Ah-ha!” moment.


Borrow instead from the book of cliches that define a tenure as much as blowout-losses, marginal on-field progress, remarkable off-field progress and flat-out too much drama and not enough winning.


Butch Jones’ reign atop the University of Tennessee football program is over; he exits Rocky Top with a bumpy 34-27 ledger as the Vols’ head coach. He leaves, when his collections expire in a few years, nabbing approximately $26 million in salary and bonuses from Tennessee’s coffers — an nauseating tally of roughly $765,000 per win. Jones’ tenure is over because, week by week, Volunteers’ football with Jones at the helm kept becoming a rapidly declining investment.


Or, back to that book of cliches, what goes around comes around. Conversations with five former Jones’ staffers on Sunday carry the same characteristic: Jones got what was coming to him.


Approximately 40 scholarship players are not around this Tennessee football program any longer after transferring to escape Jones’ temperamental and at times subversive tactics. Just this season, two players are coping with physical and mental maladies, the result of their teammates’ blows. Trey Smith is a few games from becoming surely a consensus Freshman All-America pick and likely All-SEC selection; he’s just a few games removed from surgery on his face to close up the cleat-gash from a teammate.


Shy Tuttle, likewise, is far too agile to be the guy Jones lied about by saying, “he fell on a helmet, and that’s the truth.” Tuttle’s eye is just now finishing healing from an altercation with a teammate as well.


Jones’ hires in recent years to key positions — especially that of strength and conditioning upon running off Dave Lawson and nutrition following the similar chase-off of Allison Maurer — are bedrock moves in his program’s crumbling foundation. Similarly, Jones couldn’t get along with his former VFL Coordinator, Antone Davis, a Tennessee legend, former All-American and first-round pick whose resignation due to a “hostile work environment from the head coach” isn’t yet two weeks old.


Nothing is worse than his decision to eschew several highly qualified offensive minds in order to promote Larry Scott from within to be his offensive coordinator this season — or for Jones’ final 10 games as Tennessee coach as it is. Scott’s very relatable to his players and an excellent recruiter; he is woefully overmatched in the rugged Southeastern Conference, where Tennessee resides near the league’s and nation’s bottom in all major offensive rankings among Power-5 schools.


Still, these obstacles are surmountable with equity and victories; Jones holds too little of both. There is no significant “ahead-of-the-curve” moment in his Tennessee history. A nice win against South Carolina in Year 1; come-from-ahead losses to Florida in Years 2 and 3, not to mention similar meltdowns against Arkansas and Oklahoma — three of those four games inside hallowed Neyland Stadium, no less — along the way.


Six players from last year’s 9-4 squad own distinction as the latest batch of Vols’ NFL Draft picks, prospects largely recruited or retained by Jones upon his arrival. Yet they own no hardware of significance — not at a place like Tennessee, which despite Jones’ rash of losses across the past season-and-a-half — 8-10 in his final 18 games, a losing streak to the last 11 SEC teams he’s faced — still rests among the nation’s 10-winningest programs all-time.


There isn’t just one element or event to signal the overdue end of the Butch Jones tenure at the University of Tennessee; there almost are too many to count.


It comes, however, better late than never.


So, I guess all’s well that ends well?


Time will tell.



WHAT’S NEXT
John Currie kept quiet in recent weeks, to the chagrin of fans and reporters alike, but make no mistake: Currie is weeks into his quest to find the person who will define his professional career. Yes, define his career; not merely at Tennessee but as an athletics administrator.


Sources across the past six weeks consistently tell me that Currie’s path to the future of the Vols’ football program stretches to the week following the Georgia game, when Bulldogs’ second-year coach Kirby Smart got another of those “ahead-of-the-curve” wins by whitewashing the Vols, 41-0, inside Neyland Stadium.


Click to Performance Medicine!
The overtures to Jon Gruden, a Super Bowl champion coach, the NFL’s most recognizable broadcast voice and one-time UT assistant coach in the 1980s, are very real and much further along than at any point in any of Tennessee’s previous courtships to the mega-star football mind.


Six different sources, ranging from current coaches to former all-time great Vols to college administrators, in the past 72-96 hours tell me that Gruden is far more seriously considering this Tennessee offer than ever before; so much so that Gruden is making some preliminary calls to coaches and other college athletics folks about potentially joining him in Knoxville.
Money is no issue; Currie very deliberately and wisely is the man behind this statement from Sunday’s press conference.


Click to YMCA of East Tennessee!
The roster, while in dire need of work, remains better than Jones’ arrival in December 2012. Credit Jones and the relentless work of the behind-the-scenes folks, as well as Robert Gillespie most notably from the staff.


Academics, thanks to arguably the greatest director of student-athlete learning protocols anywhere in college athletics in UT’s Dr. Joe Scogin, owns the incredibly stable ground that Jones’ program otherwise lacks.


Too, do not ignore that Tennessee as a state is producing more talent than ever before — high-end talent, as just this past Saturday one-time Vols commitments Alontae Taylor and Cade Mays were Ohio State’s guests at the Buckeyes’ romp past Michigan State. OSU likewise has commitments from two of the Volunteer State’s best in running back Master Teague and offensive lineman Max Wray. Jackson Lampley and Trey Knox are just a couple of the state’s national recruits in upcoming classes.


Ultimately Gruden must not only choose to say yes but sign his name to a contract that makes it official. Next weekend he is allegedly on the verge of his third trip to Knoxville within the past few weeks in between his Monday Night Football obligations for ESPN, which pays Gruden approximately $6 million annually as its top NFL on-air personality. It remains a situation that must be seen to be believed, but, if this was Santa Claus and his plate of chimney-side cookies, well, someone’s at least taken a drink of the milk.


If Gruden again rebuffs Tennessee’s advances, Mississippi State’s Dan Mullen and Central Florida’s Scott Frost emerge as two of the Vols’ likely top targets. Currie’s work in recent weeks includes extensive research on both candidates. Frost, like Chip Kelly, is on Florida’s very short list. Oregon’s Willie Taggert and Memphis’ Mike Norvell are a couple of other names worth monitoring; similarly, pay attention to Alabama defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt. His work both as a recruiter and defensive whiz has few parallels while my sources around the SEC insist Pruitt is on track to become a “big-time head coach, sooner than later.”



John Brice'



JB...Awesome stuff. Great to have you aboard. You are loved here my brother. On your reportage. I'm starting to get in the Gruve. Why not? Until I hear otherwise I'm going to hope for the best as you've written. As for Tennessee's other options, I'm keeping an open mind knowing that this is Tennessee and anything can happen. You made a GREAT point yesterday on the air about programs that know what they're doing making astute hires that don't always have to break the bank. I'm going to further unpack a few things I Grumed from the day as well. #Grumors are good, clean fun.


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I believe.... As you read this today.... AD John Currie has relocated to an undisclosed location. He will conduct Tennessee's search business from a hub that allows him to get in an airplane quickly. I'm hearing Currie has set up in Charlotte, Atlanta or perhaps somewhere in the Midwest. John Currie is stealth. We learned that with his handiwork in the Tennessee Baseball hire. So, if you hear people discuss the UT plane in this search and where it's going, I'd be careful.



Building off John Brice's Grumors, Jon Gruden has given indication to at least 3 former Vols that he would like them to consider becoming part of what's being termed a 'TENNESSEE SUPER STAFF'. Gruden apparently envisions a staff that includes the likes of Jay Graham, Tee Martin and Dale Jones. All three guys would be wonderful additions to any college football coaching staff. I don't buy the chatter about John Chavis being a part of Gruden's so called TENNESSEE SUPER STAFF. Dale Jones has deserved an opportunity at Tennessee for about 20 years here. He's got a burning passion and love for Tennessee that would be hard to contain.



On Dan Mullen: Wouldn't it be just like Tennessee to allow Jimmy Sexton to use the Vols as his playground once again? Now, I'm not saying that Mullen wouldn't do a nice job here because as the SEC is currently configured, he's the second best coach in the conference. But still. This Sexton/Tennessee relationship has been beyond one sided.



A Vote For Mullen: I believe Joe Rexrode likes Dan Mullen. I'm almost inclined to believe this. Link







If you're John Currie/House Of Haslam: How do you sell this fanbase anything short of Jon Gruden or James Franklin or anybody on Tac Air Spike's list if Florida lands Chip Kelly? Tennessee can't pull in a minnow if Florida lands a white whale.



Money Isn't Always The Answer: John Brice brought up a great point on Jeremy Pruitt. He's a guy that knows where all the Saban bodies are buried. Plus he's thought to be a rising star. Plus he's going to be fairly inexpensive.


Kacy Rodgers: Has a great agent obviously. That's great work getting some cheap pop in the New York press for your client. Could UT talk to him? Sure they could. Is he going to be UT's next head football coach? Not on your life. But he's had a really nice coaching career after being a great Tennessee player. Link



FREE AT LAST; FREE AT LAST CAN'T HIRE THE RIGHT GUY BEFORE YOU FIRE THE WRONG ONE MONDAY ON MY MIND

BUTCH JONES GOT FIRED; WE GOT RELIEVED:

MISSOURI TAKEAWAYS:



WHAT WE LEARNED IN WEEK ELEVEN:

KICK YOUR DOG:

IF THE CANES CAN WHY NOT US?

VOL FAN BLOGGER’S INTERRUPTION:

SOONERS TO INAUGURAL RENEWAL OF BIG-12 CG

PAC WON’T GET BACK:

FINAL MONDAY MUSING:...[more]






On the same day Tennessee lost Darius Garland to VANDERBILT, UT Head Basketball Coach Rick Barnes was telling Tennessee Football fans the following nonsense during an appearance before the Knoxville Quarterback Club.


Click to The Garza Law Firm
The Damn Nerve Of Rick Barnes:

“You step back and, as a coach, you question where did it get away from him,” Barnes said of Jones. “I will say this, I’m not sure people really appreciated those nine-win seasons.”


“I will tell you, when I got here and first met Butch, Dave Hart told me when he came here as an AD, this football program was in shambles,” Barnes said. “He said he told Butch it would take him a long time to get it going. I think he got it going quicker maybe than (Hart) thought.”


“All I can say is he left it better than he found it,” Barnes said of Jones. “And the other thing is, we're always talking about giving our all, he gave his all.


“I’m sure today he’s home with his wife and it’s a tough time. This morning in my prayers, I prayed for him because it’s a tough time.


“He’s going to be fine,” Barnes added. “He’ll end up coaching again, because he’s too good at what he does.“


“What I don’t understand is why people want to beat people up all the time,” he said. “I don’t get that. I’m not into social media."


“If I saw people (on social media), I just want to say to them, ‘What are you angry about?’ We all want to win. I understand that. We all understand that."


“If I don’t win, at my age, no one is going to tell me when it’s time to go. I’ve been doing it long enough to know. I don’t have to read the papers to know what people think."


“If you have to beat other people down to make yourself feel good, there’s a problem there.”


“You know what’s really going to have to happen?” Barnes asked. “We’re going to have to decide what do we really want for our football program.


“If I was the coach coming in, I would ask this question, if I were the football coach: ‘What’s expected of me?’”


“That’s like someone saying to me you have to be in the Sweet Sixteen or the Elite Eight every year,” he said. “If somebody told me that, I’d say ‘You know I don’t think I want to work here.’



“Because I want to be there every year, but I’ve been doing it long enough to know there are 350 other schools that want to be there too. We can’t all get there.”



All quotes made at Knoxville QB Club 11/13/17





Here's the story from 24/7.com on Rick's appearance. Link


I defer to Beano who cut an absolute promo on Rick Barnes for having the gall to talk up CBJ and talk down hurting and win deprived UT Football fans for having expectations. I'm convinced now more than ever that Rick Barnes came to Knoxville on a promise from Dave Hart that he could cruise around in a golf-cart, be a Big Orange Bon Vivant and get paid to retire. Sure, Barnes coaches his kids hard. And so does EVERY basketball coach in the middle and high school ranks I know. It's about getting ball players. And when it comes to UT Football it's supposed to be about winning games. Not what Rick Barnes believes.

9 wins at Tennessee is a C+ season. In a 12 game season you're guaranteed 8 wins if you can fog up a mirror and know what you're doing. You automatically start the year 5-0 here when you factor in 3 non league buy games plus Vandy and Kentucky. That leaves the rest of the schedule where you can go 3-4 plus win a lessor bowl to get to 9 wins. Rick Barnes is very fortunate he's at a place that isn't paying attention just yet to what he's cooking. He better hope his team stays 100 percent healthy this year because his team is thin all over due to his lack of pavement pounding on the recruiting trail. And that's a fact.



Tac Air Spike's 7: Seven guys that would keep Tac Air Spike and his smarmy looking face in Neyland Stadium. If Tennessee fails to land any of these 7 coaches Spike might just give UT football up for more bad golf at Cherokee CC.
1. Gruden 2. Franklin 3. Patterson 4. Peterson 5. Frost 6. Mullen 7. Fuente 8. Padlock Neyland Stadium and let's just tailgate for eternity.


Laugh if you want but the best hire off of this list is #2. Coach #2 would win at a huge level here. Besides our fanbase would feed off his energy like no other.



Busted
Posted: Sun, Mar 24th, 4:22 PM
by Alison
Butch Jones Made $700,000 per win at UT. And Rick Barnes hurts for the guy. Are you freakin' kidding me???



Brady Hoke: Wearing shorts at that press conference yesterday was all time cool. EVERYBODY internally LOVES that guy because he's just a dude. I love dudes. Dudes are people comfortable in their own skin. Viva Brady Hoke. Viva Dudes.





Enjoy the day

Talk to you at 11am Eastern.
A New Direction At TonyBasilio.com: Here at Tonybasilio.com we’re creating a series of programming with little to mostly zero commercial sponsorship. In other words, you will be digesting the following programs in coming days with almost no interruption. This is unprecedented in the history of my business. Nobody has ever done this. Here are the offerings coming your way.

Our Family Of Offerings:

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Busted
Posted: Sun, Mar 24th, 4:22 PM
by Alison
Fifth Quarter Fan Reaction: Back for season 4. Sponsored by Marcos Garza. This year with NO OTHER SPONSORS. This will be pure content for you. I’m taking a chance here but I know you will reward me for not bombarding you with messages Vol Network style. This program will run for at least 3 hours following Tennessee Football Games. We will have new visual presentation of this feature as well that we’re investing in. Thanks to Jayson Swain for helping me with the technical side of our visual presentation.


Southeastern Sunday Night: 7p to 9p on Sunday Nights airing on Periscope/Facebook Live and other platforms including your Tony Basilio Show App. This will be a regional program that aims to keep it real. We will tell the truth on us, them and all with you. This could be a lot of fun if you help me spread the word across the region. This hopefully will turn into a free for all that is free for all. ZERO SPONSORS. COMMERCIAL FREE OFFERING.


Vol-Scars: A podcast featuring Vol Historian Tom Mattingly and Eric S where we go back in time and commemorate the painful losses in UT football history that left a mark. These shows are extremely time intensive to put together. I’ve worked all summer on these offerings and am really proud of what we’ve compiled thus far. I think you’ll really enjoy this. COMMERCIAL FREE.


Gate Twenty Won: A podcast Featuring Vol Historian Tom Mattingly where we celebrate the greatest wins in UT history in time capsule form. These are a breath of fresh air and the type of programming I’m aiming to bring to you . COMMERCIAL FREE


Chill Cast: Tell Me A Story: A podcast where I grab folks from the sports world and our community and allow them to share their stories with us. This will be done in the spirit of the recent re-launch programs that I did. We’ll aim to go deeper here. Stay tuned. COMMERCIAL FREE.


Tennessee Basketball Overtime: Back for year 5! Immediately following Tennessee Basketball Games. A Tennessee Basketball Call-In show featuring ONLY ONE SPONSOR…GARZA LAW FIRM. Therefore we keep the conversation going without bombarding you Vol Network style. What a concept!!!!


Garza On The Law: A Podcast dealing with the legal issues that invade the sports world featuring the great Marcos Garza. We will go deeper here. I promise that you will find this interesting. Presented by Garza Law Firm.


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FAQ's Asked Of Tony Per Our Relaunch Announcement:

Q: Tony, you didn't say anything about your daily show yesterday. Will you continue to do this?

A: Absolutely. I'm looking forward to year #24 with you.


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Busted
Posted: Sun, Mar 24th, 4:22 PM
by Alison
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Q: What happens if this doesn't generate the revenue you're seeking?

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Caitlin Clark
Posted: Fri, Mar 1st, 2:21 PM
We can now officially congratulate Caitlin Clark on breaking the record for the most points scored in women’s basketball!

Caitlin Clark is the biggest superstar in college basketball (men’s or women’s). That’s not just me being a fan, Caitlin Clark is HER! Caitlin scored 49 points on February 15th to pass Kelsey Plum’s NCAA record for the most career points in women’s college basketball..... [more]
It's a Love Story
Posted: Wed, Feb 14th, 11:23 AM
Jared (the redneck from Roanoke, VA) thought the Taylor Swift coverage would end with the Super Bowl, but this love story isn’t going anywhere. In a game that was four hours and 18 minutes (that’s a total of 15,480 seconds). Swift only appeared for around 55 seconds! 55 SECONDS from the moment the game kicked off to the overtime touchdown.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C3ONwhRyugP/.... [more]
Missouri Game Preview
Posted: Thu, Nov 9th, 12:56 PM
by Josh
The Vols did what they were expected to do against UConn. There's not really much to say about that game. The game this Saturday in Columbia, Missouri will decide whether or not this season is a failure in my opinion. If they Vols lose, they are staring at 8-4 and probably the Gator Bowl. Maybe Reliaquest..... [more]
Connecticut Game Preview
Posted: Thu, Nov 2nd, 6:19 PM
by Josh
The Vols are coming back to Neyland Stadium and I am returning after a discretionary bye week. I'll be honest with you. This year it seems like I've been writing the same preview over and over because the formula to win has been the same pretty much every SEC game. I didn't want to sound like a broken record so I needed a bit of a break from that.

I'll start with some general observations..... [more]



Calhoun's Atop Bearden Hill
6515 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN
865.673.3377

Calhoun's on the River
400 Neyland Drive
Knoxville, TN
865.673.3355

Calhoun's at Pellissippi Parkway
10020 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN
865.673.3444



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