KevB1990

Sky-man will be alright once he gets his basketball legs under him...he'd only had about a week of practice I'd say following football season...and probably needed some rest from being banged around all year long.

I dare any team out there that plays Grainger to guard him straight up...it won't be pretty.

Off the Hook

 

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Coaching Candidate Blog

 

Based off sources close to Tennessee's hiring process and my own input, here are some of the candidates to replace Phillip Fulmer being considered by administrators -- as well as some that have no chance of becoming a reality.

 

Keep In Mind - These are the top five realistic candidates (not just names on message boards) listed in order of probability:

 

1.Butch Davis, North Carolina - Davis is far and away Tennessee's best choice.

Davis is one of the best recruiters in the nation and a solid defensive coach. He has recruiting ties to Florida, the Carolinas and Georgia - all areas the Vols have leaned on in the past.

 

Davis has said publicly that he has no intentions of leaving UNC, that he loves Chapel Hill and wants to build a program. If that's all true and Davis declines the Vols' advances, then UT will take a step down and have to gamble on a less proven coach.

 

However, many believe Davis is just posturing for more money.

 

2. Brian Kelly, Cincinnati - Kelly has turned around every program he has headed up. He's even been called the candidate most like UT basketball coach Bruce Pearl. That's a pretty strong endorsement.

 

Still, winning in the SEC is a far different challenge than Kelly has faced to this point.

 

3. Tim Brewster, Minnesota - Brewster has received plenty of acclaim for his time in the NFL, although he's considered more a college coach. Brewster also has ties to UT's athletic department.

 

Brewster is a solid coach but, again, this would be a gamble.

 

4. Mike Leach, Texas Tech - As one person close to the decision making process told me, Leach would be "like a fish in the desert" at UT. Nevertheless, Leach's offense and recent professional growth (paying more attention to his defense) makes him a viable candidate in my mind.

 

Leach may also be the people's choice. I continually hear from UT fans that are rooting for him to be the next coach of the Vols.

 

Leach is also motivated to find a better job while he's such a hot commodity. This season will probably be the best Texas Tech can muster so he'd love a shot at Tennessee.

 

5. Will Muschamp, Texas defensive coordinator - I continually hear how great of a coach Muschamp will one day be and I tend to agree with such sentiment.

 

However, athletic director Mike Hamilton can't replace a UT legend in Fulmer with an assistant coach.

 

Keep It Real - These are some of those message board names that are not being considered:

 

1. Lane Kiffin, former Oakland Raiders coach - Only if a half dozen candidates tell UT no would Kiffin be considered. Kiffin will be great in an interview, better in a press conference, then could kill UT's program. There's just not a long enough track record there.

 

2. Jon Gruden, Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Worth a phone call, but never more than a long, long shot.

 

3. Bill Cowher, television analyst - Please.

We don't want Brian Kelly...I know I don't want him...I live up here in Cincinnati now and it's a different world between the Big Least and the SEC...if the wolves think it's bad now give BK a few years to REALLY mess things up.

Any official word yet?

It is now...the Greene County schools didn't get their wish, but at least they won't be going to Maynardville and Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg...

I think dad and son like the color orange...who wouldn't like to play for Pearl...and considering the situation with West it would make sense...just hope they offer.

I believe if I heard right UT has offered him a shot to walk on. I think they wouldn't hurt themselves to actually pony up a scholarship, but ya know he would love to give it a go...and there's still football, too. Have been hearing that he's not that certain to be strictly a hoops' guy in college, or even that he might opt to only play football...that's a little different than what I've always imagined with him, but he's certainly capable.

I know that they have Cherokee on their schedule, are they joining the IMAC?

That would be no. They'll be in the upper third of AA next season so the usual suspects will be with them. Union, Claiborne, Gibbs...not exactly sure how they will be placed yet, but we will know later today.

Thanks to all the seniors for their leadership and hard work. This team made a lot of improvements as the year went on. They were able to go a long way with as many injuries as they had this year. The Grizzlies had a minumun of 5 starters out by the end of the season and many more playing banged up. Unfortunately they ran into a better team, in the form of A-E, in the playoffs. The Grizzlies still had a good year winning five games and almost finishing second in the district. It will be tough to replace argueably one of the best QBs and football players in Tennessee. Skylar McBee did about everything for them this season. And regardless of what you read or hear, he is one of the classiest and outstanding young men you will ever meet. I think Grainger will be able to regroup next season after the new districts are set. They will have a good chance to continue where they left off. With a lot of hard work in the weightroom we will see another exciting Grainger Grizzlies football team. Thanks guys for an exciting season! GRAINGER...GRIZZLIES!

The only people that would say anything negative about Skylar are sore losers or even poorer winners. He is absolutely one of the classiest kids there is. If he appears to be anything it is confident not cocky. People have trouble sometimes discerning the two, but let me tell you that kid has confidence and lots of it.

I hear Seymour is good, but then again every year I hear how good the 1st place team is in this region. Perhaps this is the year Seymour can break the streak and put a region 1 team in the second round. I doubt it, Kingston is a heck of a lot better then their record. Obviously I have to say Region 2 all the way. Go Jackets see you in two weeks at our place.

Umm...the "streak" with which you were referring to was only one year...now it's two.

All hail the mighty Region 2 teams... /tongue.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":P" border="0" alt="tongue.gif" />

Well I can't understand how D-B isn't improving to the point where first round upsets aren't a possibility. The city has annexed enough of the North zone over the years to where North is in the lower third of AA next year with fewer than 700 students. Didn't they used to be comfortable AAA before football went to five classes? You'd think with the influx of at least 6-10 good athletes that play football would benefit D-B at some point.

/blink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blink:" border="0" alt="blink.gif" />

T$$AA made a change in the seeding procedures this season...just a couple of weeks ago. This is the kind of crap we'll get all over the place the next four years with the "Z" plan. Thank your board of control members...

Per the bracket on TSSAA.ORG: Cumberland Gap is #8 seed, South Greene is #6 seed, and West Greene is #7 seed. At least thats how the bracket I got looks.

T$$AA has some video explaining why they seeded like that, which makes no sense at all. They've went and put one 1 v. 3, and 2 v. wildcard in that quad which is why the Gap is going to be the unfortunate ones in that scenario. Maybe they should've let WG win... /blink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blink:" border="0" alt="blink.gif" />

Grizzlies are headed to Carter in about three hours. We are pretty banged up right now. I know Carter does not have the QB because he smarted off to the referee or something, but I believe Carter will probably still get us 35-13. We don't even resemble the same team that started out the season. One thing you can always count on is the Grizzlies will scrap and hit you till the buzzer sounds. I hope the guys can pull it off and get a few people healthy by next week.

 

Who do you guys think will win the AE/Kingston game?

 

If Kingston wins who gets the three way tie breaker...AE, Kingston or Anderson County?

Oh ye of little faith GC! Grainger leading 10-0 at last check.

True, oh classless one! but if they played in region 1 I could assure you they would have made it the last three years. Four years ago, no, but the last three...YES!

Well then...maybe you guys should petition to be in this "pitiful" region. BTW, Grainger may or may not have a shot in their first round game, BUT AT LEAST THEY'LL BE PLAYING! /thumb[1].gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":thumb:" border="0" alt="thumb[1].gif" />

I think that Carter and Seymour are the two teams with the best shot at advancing to round two. Seymour is a pretty good team but they have to have learned to stop the run or they won't have a shot at winning. If Carter gets their quarterback back on the field they have a chance, but if not they have to rely on the run (which is strong) because the pass won't be an option. Carter played AE close early in the season, but a lot has happened since then. Thats my view on it.

Carter is going to be on the road...Grainger is going to win tomorrow night in Straw Plains. Maybe the Hornets will thank their quarterback then when they're at Kingston or Austin-East.

In order to understand Sonny's poll you need the following:

A sliderule.

A bottle of your pappy's best corn squeezin's.

A migraine.

And a general good humor...because most of them are laughable. If you think some of the 1A ratings are nuts, check out the 3A ratings.

They've fixed it to where it's a little more balanced this season according to the TSSAA Web site. There's a slideshow with audio detailing how they're trying their best to keep teams in the same region from playing each other...so in a case where five teams from one region and three from another play three games will be between schools from each region "seeded" and the other one has to be a game between regional opponents. So I think it would be whomever ends ups in the 5th spot plays Alcoa...yikes!

Both teams are going to make the playoffs...either as a wildcard or third place. The schedule doesn't favor the teams out west this last week of the season and what the Buffs and the Panthers have done in the first part of the schedule helps them now.

What is so offensive about the person with the ball diving into the end zone? I really do not see it as excessive celebration.

 

Now, the mouthing to the official, I can understand the penalty.

I'm not sure, but I think the officials don't allow diving into the end zone unless it's to get over a defender. I know about 10-12 years ago the point was made to stop it because some teams had kids doing it and it was on plays where there wasn't a defender within 10 yards. My thinking is that in high school it's taunting, in college it's a good way to hack off the opponents if they can do anything about it and in the pros it's whatever floats their boat.

Regardless...don't talk back to the officials.

Ditto, though I've not been doing stats since I moved to Cincinnati...sigh /sad.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":(" border="0" alt="sad.gif" />

I can't believe someone hasn't started a thread solely for Grainger Grizzlies basketball, everyone should be excited about the first season of basketball at the new school in the amazing gym. How does everyone believe the season will be? Will they repeat as district champs or not? How will McBee be in his final year and has he committed to a college somewhere, or does anyone know where he wants to attend. I wish the boys best of luck for this season and GO GRIZZLIES.

I've heard he's not making any decision until after the season is over...but I've got an idea of what he wants to do by talking with his dad.

What did Stanton,, Carter's QB do this to be tossed?

 

Did Grainger win today? I hope so.

Yeah Stanton mouthed off at the ref(s). Can't do that.

Union was pumped up yesterday, but the Grizz got out of Maynardville with a win. Battle for 2nd place next week at Straw Plains.

Grainger is what used to be Rutledge. It just opened up this season. Some kids from Washburn, which was the intent, also are coming over, but not all of them. It's got around 900 students now up from about 800 and change a few years ago.

kevB:

Would you care to elaborate on those "different reasons"??? /blink.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":blink:" border="0" alt="blink.gif" />

No explanation is needed...but if you want one...

Carter has lost only one region game in four years...that's what makes that one tough. UC has only won one region game each of the last two season and has only one win to date this season...making them dangerous because they're wanting to not go winless in the region among other things.

Was there something else you thought I meant rS? /popcorneater.gif" style="vertical-align:middle" emoid=":popcorneater:" border="0" alt="popcorneater.gif" />

One of the cheerleaders is in critical condition...praying for a miracle...

Latest info on SHS cheerleader crash

Oh really, thanks for the info. I had no idea that two teams from the same region got in. How many wild-card playoff teams get in anyway?

They pick five leftovers after the top three in all nine regions are decided...then go through a series of tie-breakers with "quality win(s)" being the big decider. It doesn't matter what class the team is in, just as long as they're a member school and have a winning record.

For Gibson County to get those six wins they will have to beat USJ this friday night. Now i know everyone will be picking USJ which is a logical pick, but i think we will get a good look to see how bad GC wants to be in the play off mix this year.

Just from looking at it a little I drew up a possibility for the wildcards...I'm thinking Sequatchie, South Greene, West Greene, Waverly and JCS will get the wildcards. All that is just strictly from projecting based upon previous performances last season and some scores this season...there's a lot that can go on, but it's going to hurt someone out there.

The biggest injustice is having 3 teams in Region 9 that will get in and Region 5 being so down this season outside of CPA and Goodpasture...DCA or Ezell will be in with a maximum of 3 wins. Doesn't seem like this system changes anything the other classes experience...but I guess T$$AA isn't concerned about it enough not to go forward with their "Z" plan for all classes next season.