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Pretend you are Dave Hart ... what are you thinking?
Topic Started: Oct 25 2012, 12:02 PM (176 Views)
*OrangeRev
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Tree hug'n, bleed'n heart, lazy luv'n, global warm'n token liberal

I noticed this response today on VQ, based on an interview back in May. Using only the statements of Hart below, forecast what he is thinking. You must base your thoughts on his statements and not your opinion or the rumors. I will number the statements so that you can use them as reference.

Quote:
 
VQ: Your head coach is labeled on the hot seat. As the leader of the athletic department how do you handle that notion that is out there about your head football coach?

DH:
[1 - Public Opinion] "I've never put any stock in that. I've been a part of teams who have been forecasted to be all-world and became mediocre. I have been a part of teams who were forecasted to be mediocre who finished in the top 10. I have never paid any attention to that

[2 - Dooley's Challenge] and the reason I haven't is that on the inside, which I am seeing it every day, knowing the level of the challenge that Derek inherited.

[3 - Progress] I don't think people fully appreciate the many aspects of that challenge and I see progress. That's what I look for are we making progress or not, and we are making progress. And behind the scenes we are making a lot of progress.

[4 - Staff] I really like the staff. We lost some good coaches, but this staff is an aggressive, mature staff. We have ratcheted up significantly the level of intensity. I like the staff's experience. I just think that you have to surround yourself with really high quality people in anything you do to be successful and I think this staff is very, very good and I'm excited about that.

[5 - Sunseri] I worked with Sal (Sunseri) for three years. I know Sal. I was really happy when Derek moved in that direction because I knew the energy that Sal would bring and the expertise. And Sal knows what good looks like by the way from many places where he has been. So his expectations and his standards are going to be pretty high. I think the players have responded pretty well to that.

[6 - Expectations]
I'm excited about the fall and the potential of what could happen with this football team."



Hart is thinking that first and foremost he is disappointed about the outcome [6], but he also knows that just because you might have all the expectations in the world, this doesn't mean that they will pan out [1]. One of those areas that hasn't panned out is the expectations on Sal Sunseri [5] and perhaps, in general, the overall coaching staff [4].

Now, if Hart is going to make changes, it will be based on progress [3]. Progress is being clearly made on our running game (Graham and Pittman) and overall our offense is more productive (Chaney), but our passing game against stiff SEC talent seems as flat and problematic as 2011 (Hinshaw, WR and Chaney, QB). On defense, our line seems to have improved dramatically (Palermo), but the talent upgrade there may be the primary reason - still, major improvement. With both linebackers (Sunseri) and defensive backs (Conklin and Ansley), this portion of our defense seems to have major steps back, and overall our defense is one of the worst in the history of the Tennessee Volunteers (Sunseri), despite actually upgrading talent. On special teams, we are about as effective as last year, and actually seem to be better (Coiner). Strength and endurance continues to improve (McKeefery). Recruiting is much more ahead of last year, and the quality of players is on a par with prior years (Hinshaw, Dooley) ... one special award on recruiting goes to Graham who has gotten us in on a number of players. Overall, the W-L record of Tennessee will likely improve from 2011, but against SEC competition it is only a modest improvement (Dooley); team cohesion is better (Dooley); there are still stupid play calling and on-field discipline issues (Dooley).

So, based on progress [3], the following coaches appear to meet the criteria: Graham, Pittman, McKeefery, Coiner
The following coaches are producing mixed results (succeeding in places, and regressing in others): Dooley, Hinshaw, Chaney
The following coaches are failing to meet the criteria of progress: Sunseri, Conklin, Ansley

The conclusion is that progress is being made, but there is a big mistake that was made on the defensive side of the ball, and Hart shares responsibility for that decision [5]. At a minimum, defensive coaching changes need to be made.
Edited by OrangeRev, Oct 25 2012, 12:10 PM.
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Student Radical


Good analysis, OR!
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Napervol
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The Swing Doctor

excellent analysis OR
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gatewayghost
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Awesome
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What else could Hart say to those question? That kind of support has no more meaning than when Saban gives his 100% approval.
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runner
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OrangeRev
Oct 25 2012, 12:02 PM
I noticed this response today on VQ, based on an interview back in May. Using only the statements of Hart below, forecast what he is thinking. You must base your thoughts on his statements and not your opinion or the rumors. I will number the statements so that you can use them as reference.

Quote:
 
VQ: Your head coach is labeled on the hot seat. As the leader of the athletic department how do you handle that notion that is out there about your head football coach?

DH:
[1 - Public Opinion] "I've never put any stock in that. I've been a part of teams who have been forecasted to be all-world and became mediocre. I have been a part of teams who were forecasted to be mediocre who finished in the top 10. I have never paid any attention to that

[2 - Dooley's Challenge] and the reason I haven't is that on the inside, which I am seeing it every day, knowing the level of the challenge that Derek inherited.

[3 - Progress] I don't think people fully appreciate the many aspects of that challenge and I see progress. That's what I look for are we making progress or not, and we are making progress. And behind the scenes we are making a lot of progress.

[4 - Staff] I really like the staff. We lost some good coaches, but this staff is an aggressive, mature staff. We have ratcheted up significantly the level of intensity. I like the staff's experience. I just think that you have to surround yourself with really high quality people in anything you do to be successful and I think this staff is very, very good and I'm excited about that.

[5 - Sunseri] I worked with Sal (Sunseri) for three years. I know Sal. I was really happy when Derek moved in that direction because I knew the energy that Sal would bring and the expertise. And Sal knows what good looks like by the way from many places where he has been. So his expectations and his standards are going to be pretty high. I think the players have responded pretty well to that.

[6 - Expectations]
I'm excited about the fall and the potential of what could happen with this football team."



Hart is thinking that first and foremost he is disappointed about the outcome [6], but he also knows that just because you might have all the expectations in the world, this doesn't mean that they will pan out [1]. One of those areas that hasn't panned out is the expectations on Sal Sunseri [5] and perhaps, in general, the overall coaching staff [4].

Now, if Hart is going to make changes, it will be based on progress [3]. Progress is being clearly made on our running game (Graham and Pittman) and overall our offense is more productive (Chaney), but our passing game against stiff SEC talent seems as flat and problematic as 2011 (Hinshaw, WR and Chaney, QB). On defense, our line seems to have improved dramatically (Palermo), but the talent upgrade there may be the primary reason - still, major improvement. With both linebackers (Sunseri) and defensive backs (Conklin and Ansley), this portion of our defense seems to have major steps back, and overall our defense is one of the worst in the history of the Tennessee Volunteers (Sunseri), despite actually upgrading talent. On special teams, we are about as effective as last year, and actually seem to be better (Coiner). Strength and endurance continues to improve (McKeefery). Recruiting is much more ahead of last year, and the quality of players is on a par with prior years (Hinshaw, Dooley) ... one special award on recruiting goes to Graham who has gotten us in on a number of players. Overall, the W-L record of Tennessee will likely improve from 2011, but against SEC competition it is only a modest improvement (Dooley); team cohesion is better (Dooley); there are still stupid play calling and on-field discipline issues (Dooley).

So, based on progress [3], the following coaches appear to meet the criteria: Graham, Pittman, McKeefery, Coiner
The following coaches are producing mixed results (succeeding in places, and regressing in others): Dooley, Hinshaw, Chaney
The following coaches are failing to meet the criteria of progress: Sunseri, Conklin, Ansley

The conclusion is that progress is being made, but there is a big mistake that was made on the defensive side of the ball, and Hart shares responsibility for that decision [5]. At a minimum, defensive coaching changes need to be made.
Not a bad analysis, though I don't agree with everything.

Hart won't have to bear the weight of the Sunseri hire even if he forced Dooley to hire him.
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*OrangeRev
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Tree hug'n, bleed'n heart, lazy luv'n, global warm'n token liberal

gatewayghost
Oct 25 2012, 12:29 PM
What else could Hart say to those question? That kind of support has no more meaning than when Saban gives his 100% approval.
There are 100 billion thoughts and opinions out there about Dooley and his future - of course one of them will likely be right and they will be anointed the King of the Internet. Yet, the only opinion that matters is going to be Dave Hart's opinion. I just posted everything that I have on Dave Hart's opinion.

Do you want to believe what Hart has said, or do you want to believe what is written by some anonymous, disconnected, and/or ill-informed group of posters on an internet forum that haven't been right on a hire in the past 3 years (except within about 24 hours of it happening)?
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runner
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OrangeRev
Oct 25 2012, 12:42 PM
gatewayghost
Oct 25 2012, 12:29 PM
What else could Hart say to those question? That kind of support has no more meaning than when Saban gives his 100% approval.
There are 100 billion thoughts and opinions out there about Dooley and his future - of course one of them will likely be right and they will be anointed the King of the Internet. Yet, the only opinion that matters is going to be Dave Hart's opinion. I just posted everything that I have on Dave Hart's opinion.

Do you want to believe what Hart has said, or do you want to believe what is written by some anonymous, disconnected, and/or ill-informed group of posters on an internet forum that haven't been right on a hire in the past 3 years (except within about 24 hours of it happening)?
Hart, after the Kentucky loss last year: "With every passing year, though, those inherited circumstances provide less and less of a reason for why the product on the field is what it is. I don't think you can keep using excuses. We're not young anymore!" Hart said. "That shouldn't even be a point of conversation anymore. We're not young. We're not inexperienced anymore."
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runner
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OrangeRev
Oct 25 2012, 12:42 PM
gatewayghost
Oct 25 2012, 12:29 PM
What else could Hart say to those question? That kind of support has no more meaning than when Saban gives his 100% approval.
There are 100 billion thoughts and opinions out there about Dooley and his future - of course one of them will likely be right and they will be anointed the King of the Internet. Yet, the only opinion that matters is going to be Dave Hart's opinion. I just posted everything that I have on Dave Hart's opinion.

Do you want to believe what Hart has said, or do you want to believe what is written by some anonymous, disconnected, and/or ill-informed group of posters on an internet forum that haven't been right on a hire in the past 3 years (except within about 24 hours of it happening)?
Hart, on his coaches: "I've always loved building relationships with coaches. But I never as an AD, never as a collegiate administrator, have I hired a coach and said, 'Here's the situation: If your student athletes are good students and if they are good citizens and represent us well, you can coach here as long as you want.' Because that's a lie. What happens in competition will largely dictate the coach's future.

I've always been candid. I never wanted to have a meeting with a coach and leave the room and have that coach thinking 'I wonder where Dave really is on that.' I don't like those kinds of meetings with people.

The reality is we're going to support our coaches intrinsically, extrinsically. We're going to build relationships with our coaches, we're going to insulate them and we're going to be advocates for them. They understand that within a reasonable period of time... they've got to make progress competitively. They know that. Coaches know coming in."
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*OrangeRev
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Tree hug'n, bleed'n heart, lazy luv'n, global warm'n token liberal

Leggo, that doesn't sound too much different than what he's said before ... the Vols must show progress. They are making progress in some areas and not in others.
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volsareback
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OrangeRev
Oct 25 2012, 02:03 PM
Leggo, that doesn't sound too much different than what he's said before ... the Vols must show progress. They are making progress in some areas and not in others.
I think two more plausible measuring sticks will be:

1. Will this team quit before the season is over?

2. Will attendance suffer dramatically?

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*Zippy
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Burning Man, 2009 FOREVER

It's not that they simply have to show progress. It would be pretty damn hard to not show progress, to be honest. They have to show an acceptable level of progress.

8-4 is acceptable to me. If UT beats USC I'm back on the Dooleywagon.
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*OrangeRev
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Tree hug'n, bleed'n heart, lazy luv'n, global warm'n token liberal

And, Zippy, your point is why all this speculation is so absurd. The overall W-L and SEC W-L records are an important yardstick in the evaluation of acceptable growth.

In my opinion, the Vol's ability to beat top 10 teams is not where I'm at as far as growth. I want them to get there, but I don't expect them to be there in 2012 ... I do expect them to beat some teams in my assessment of teams in the #15 to #25 range (or lower), and both Junior and MSU fall into that range.
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Hermitagevol


Is Derek Dooley the coach that can lead us to a SEC championship? That is the only question that Hart, and only Hart, can answer.
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