Honestly, I'm not even mad at Butch anymore. In fact, I kinda feel sorry for him. He has to go out there on Saturday knowing he's going to be loudly booed. He has to do media 2-3 times a week knowing that the vast majority of the fans don't care what he has to say and have already checked out on the season. He's done the best he can, but at this point he is what he is- and that's a mediocre football coach. Currie isn't doing Butch any favors either, by leaving him twisting in the wind along with all of us. I'm sure Butch is looking forward to getting out of this toxic environment, collecting his ample buyout, and getting to work finding another job for next year. The sooner that happens, the better- for all involved.
As fans, our anger should now be directed squarely at John Currie and/or those who are pulling his strings.
I get what you are saying, but IMO other than placating angry fans, it doesn't make a hill of beans difference if he's fired now or in late November. What matters is who his replacement is, and to a much lesser extent, the effect on this year's recruiting class.
If that saves the AD the $2.4 million that has been reported, then maybe it even makes sense.
Now, I will make an exception. I do want us to go at least 6-6 this year in order to qualify for a bowl. That's important to give the new coach some time with the team and it also helps recruiting, which always suffers from a coaching change for at least the first year. Additionally, I care more than the average fan about Tennessee's "place in history" and tradition, and just hate to see a losing season. Having said that, I care much less about that this year. I am currently about as apathetic as any fan of Tennessee about this season.
But again...the important thing is not for Currie to "scratch the itch" and fire Butch now because a lot of angry fans want it, but to ensure that the transition is smooth and that the next guy up is an improvement, particularly in game day skills, but can also recruit and do the organizing and admin of major P5 program.
Firing Butch now just because fans are angry would be Hamitonesque pandering to the mob IMO. True leadership is not following the angry mob, but doing the right thing in the right way in spite of it. I am very happy with Currie's approach compared to say, the "twist in the wind weather vane" approach of Hamilton (March: give Fulmer extension, Nov: fire Fulmer, etc).
Having said that, he will be judged on how well his hire of the next football coach turns out. No one can predict the future, it might go well,and it might not. But let's take our time and get this one right!
