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Take the elevator to the top floor of the Lawson Center before strolling across the glass walkway overlooking the indoor football field on your way to the Tennessee athletic department's executive offices and the conclusion is inescapable: The Vols have gorgeous facilities that must be among the nation's best.

Right?

"No," says Tennessee athletic director Dave Hart forcefully. "We've got a lot of work to do."

There's more.

"We have some innate challenges," Hart said. "Each year that those disadvantages remain on the table, you set yourselves back."

If that's surprising to you, well, Hart's been doing a lot of wake-up calls since he arrived from Alabama as UT's athletic director one year ago. He said the gap between perception and reality has been one of the most difficult challenges of the job.

The perception: Tennessee's athletic department is flush with cash and financially healthy. The reality, according to Hart? "We are carrying the largest — by far — debt service in the conference and the smallest — by far — reserve in the conference."

The perception: Tennessee's facilities are on par with the best in the SEC. Even when the new Football Training Center is completed, that won't be the case, Hart said. "We've got a long way to go, and we've got a lot of priorities that have to be put in motion."

So as No. 1 Alabama (6-0, 3-0 SEC) arrives to face struggling Tennessee (3-3, 0-3) at Neyland Stadium on Saturday (TV: ESPN, 7 p.m.), what optimism can Hart

possibly offer? One more perception he wants to correct: The gulf between Alabama and Tennessee — once equals in the college football world — is impossibly wide.

Hart scoffs at that notion. "This is a cyclical game ... Alabama weathered some tough years. They're reaping the rewards now." With hard work, he said, Tennessee will do the same.

Hart, 63, no longer feels like the new guy at Tennessee. His office is fully furnished, even if it doesn't look quite lived-in. Business and sports books are set out on the coffee table. Mementos from his years as an athletic director adorn the walls. It's not clear if his diploma from the University of Alabama made the trip to the new office.

"I spent 12 years at East Carolina and 13 years at Florida State, and nobody asked me one time about being from Alabama," he said with a smile.

While Alabama is Hart's alma mater and most recent employer, his experience as an administrator was shaped elsewhere. But his three years at Alabama coincided with the Tide's resurgence as a national football power, and Alabama offers the most compelling template of how to build a national power in the cutthroat SEC.

"Certainly, when you win two titles in three years and you're the No. 1 team right now, that's obviously the program right now that people look to," Hart said. "I was fortunate to be a part of Florida State when that same phenomenon was occurring there. For a while it was Oklahoma in that role, and that's still an outstanding program. But there's no question that (Alabama coach) Nick (Saban) has done a terrific job in building that program back to a championship level."

How to replicate that in Knoxville? The first, Hart said, is recognizing Tennessee's strengths but being honest about weaknesses.

The Vols lack the football-rich geographic base of other programs, so the importance of repairing the financial situation and catching up in facilities is magnified.

"All of our challenges can be overcome and will be overcome, but first we have to be realistic about what they are," Hart said. "To me, that's the easy part. And then we have to build strategic plans to achieve what we want to achieve. And the toughest thing is that we have to do it with urgency."

Alabama wasn't always at the top of the football mountain, nor was Hart's old boss in Tuscaloosa, longtime athletic director Mal Moore, always a beloved figure.

Moore, who took over the department in 1999, shuffled through coaches Mike DuBose, Dennis Franchione, Mike Price and Mike Shula before hiring Saban after the 2006 season. In that eight-year span, the Tide endured NCAA probation and finished better than .500 only half the time.

"Mal has done an incredibly good job. Mal weathered those tough years we talked about, and he not only weathered them, but he discovered that he was a heck of a fundraiser in that period," Hart said. "Because it was a tough period for the university at that time."

The tough period was nearing an end by the time Hart was hired at Alabama in 2008. The Tide went 41-5 during the three years Hart was on campus. He managed virtually all day-to-day affairs of the department.

"Mal Moore's one of the finest people I've ever met in my entire life," Hart said. "And he knows how strongly I feel about him as a person. When Mal told me, 'I'll give you the authority to run the program on a day-to-day basis, and I know you can do it and I trust you to do it,' I had no doubts that would be case. And that's how it unfolded."

When Hart came to Tennessee last fall, he brought two administrators with him from Alabama, including Jon Gilbert, UT's executive senior associate athletic director and Hart's top lieutenant.

In the past year, the department has faced lawsuits for discrimination and hurdles associated with merging the historically distinct men's and women's athletic department.

Meanwhile, the football program has continued its slide. The Rock, an unscientific barometer of community sentiment, has displayed messages calling for the ouster of third-year coach Derek Dooley. Empty seats continue to be an issue at Neyland Stadium. The student section failed to sell out for even Saturday's Alabama game, something that would have been unthinkable in the past.

"I'm competitive to a fault. I'm not proud of that, but that's kind of in my DNA," Hart said. "So nobody's more upset, believe me. I just can't display it like some people can.

"But I wouldn't want to work in an environment where there was no passion. You just have to understand that. What I have to do is see the big picture — because I see it everyday. Most people see it on Saturday, I see it seven days a week. I have to view the big picture, and that's what I've always done."

well, buyout is an issue - but they can work around that. If a change is made, it won't be stopped by a buyout.

There is plenty to read between the lines because things are happening. Feldman said yesterday that Dooley needed to win against Alabama and South Carolina to save his job. The VQ war room this morning says that they are being told informal conversations have taken place with replacement candidates. And Chris low said on 104.5 yesterday that if gruden wanted to get back into coaching in college it would likely be at Tennessee, and he was listening.

VQ also said this morning that they have been told the buyout is not an issue and that the private plane that brought Hart and Dooley back for Starkville was very very chilly.

If what you say is true then I doubt it would make a difference if we were to beat bama & sc. Hart either sees what he wants out of Dooley or he doesn't. Hinging his employment on two teams we are highly unlikely to beat says the fat lady has already sang it was just for a private audience.

Still not on the Gruden train but I will support and hope whoever gets hired can get the job done.

I agree. The interpretation is that it will take a miracle to save him.

Not sure about Gruden either but if you're Dave Hart it's big name or bust. You can't replace Dooley with another up and comer.

The problem you always have with an NFL coach is are they willing to ask 18 years old kids to play for them or not. They don't get to pick who they want but have to take who they get and in limited numbers. Does the name Gruden mean anything to an 18 year old as it pertains to getting them NFL ready?

The problem you always have with an NFL coach is are they willing to ask 18 years old kids to play for them or not. They don't get to pick who they want but have to take who they get and in limited numbers. Does the name Gruden mean anything to an 18 year old as it pertains to getting them NFL ready?

I agree. The interpretation is that it will take a miracle to save him.

Not sure about Gruden either but if you're Dave Hart it's big name or bust. You can't replace Dooley with another up and comer.

All he has to do is sit in their living room and tap that Super Bowl ring on their coffee table.  I know, I know....Dungy's players. Whatever. 18 year olds won't care.

Gruden should be an especially big draw for qb's.  

But when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter how well you recruit.  You have to be able to coach. Gruden has no college football coaching track record to pull from, so he is an unknown commodity. If he comes in and get top 5 or top 10 recruiting classes every year, and only turns in 8 or 9 win seasons with no trip to Atlanta for the SECCG, what then? Auburn has had some great recruiting classes in the last few years, and look at what's happening to us this year. You would be better off by going with someone that has a proven track record, or else this all has the potential to start over again in three years. Or, you can take Chizik. He's a proven winner.

But when it comes down to it, it doesn't matter how well you recruit.  You have to be able to coach. Gruden has no college football coaching track record to pull from, so he is an unknown commodity. If he comes in and get top 5 or top 10 recruiting classes every year, and only turns in 8 or 9 win seasons with no trip to Atlanta for the SECCG, what then? Auburn has had some great recruiting classes in the last few years, and look at what's happening to us this year. You would be better off by going with someone that has a proven track record, or else this all has the potential to start over again in three years. Or, you can take Chizik. He's a proven winner.

I think we should definitely get the guy our opponents don't want us to get.

Ok...get Gruden, then. I like the Vols and always hope to see them do well (except for 11/9/13). I don't want them to continue to mire in mediocrity.  But we Auburn folk got plenty of other things keeping us busy. Like tracking planes to see where our idiot Powers That Be are going to check coaching interest down on the Plains. So, I'll stay out of y'alls coaching discussion.

Then you can't hire Smart. He's an up and comer. Maybe

Re: Gruden, and his last pro gig was a DISASTER.  His handling of QBs was bizzare at best.  He talks a good game on espn but the reality is quite different.

I really fail to see the allure of a FAILED football coach.

Then you can't hire Smart. He's an up and comer. Maybe

You guys are going to get Petrino.

I really have no idea of anyone in particular I would like to see as coach. I just want someone who will make us tough as nails and get some talent in. I want UT to be hated again by the rest of the CFB world especially SEC teams.  :naughty:

Why do you hate us?

I always see where you are coming from with this, but just like with Petrino, I'd caution you against getting too personally invested against a coach. I'd hate to see such loyal, passionate Vol fans have to turn on their team because of who the coach is.

I really have no idea of anyone in particular I would like to see as coach. I just want someone who will make us tough as nails and get some talent in. I want UT to be hated again by the rest of the CFB world especially SEC teams.  :naughty:   

Why do you hate us?

I agree with Pirate, not because I followed Gruden at Tampa, but because he looks like a Kiffin redux to me.  A young, kind of brash guy to placate some of the younger fanbase and allegedly help with recruiting.  I do think he has a lot more character than Kiffin and would be more loyal, but that's a pretty low bar to meet.   :rolleyes:

But the primary reason I don't want him is because he's never done it at the college level.  How good was Saban at Miami?  Do you know another former NFL coach...that was SUCCESSFUL, mind you, that jumped to college and "got er done"?  I sure don't. 

Carroll had great success at USC but was not so great in the NFL.  He went to the playoffs one year at New England with Parcell's players and then spiralled down, and previously lasted only a year with the Jets.

But look what he did at USC.   Seems to be having success at Seattle, but they lost last night.  Mayb they continue to lose.... :dude: - Carroll is clearly as good a coach as Saban IMO.

But to my main point...we don't need an NFL coach.  If everyone is saying go big or go home, Gruden's not the answer IMO.

Of course, one could turn that around and say Gruden, like Carrol,l is a FAILED NFL coach.   :laugh:

But I see him as Kiffin 2.0 without the baggage. 

I can't say I disagree with you... I don't know if Gruden is the answer either. I'm not saying that he would be successful. I don't know for sure. But, if there is a "go big or keep the guy you have" mentality, who else is out there that is a big name that we could get?

Just wishing for something or endlessly repeating "it's been three years" or assuming that a coaching change will fix everything is what caused this problem to begin with.

IMO the optimal time to make a change is next year for a number of reasons, but I will support whoever the coach is.

Root against Seatlle with all your might, wait a year, and get Carroll.   :nod:

You need to be poked in the eye for that comment. Talk about Kiffin 2.0......my gosh Kiffin learned from him.   :naughty:

Well that is the drawback.  The ncaa thing might follow him.  But if anything kiffin would be carroll 2 0 except that he isnt half the coach carroll is

I can't say I disagree with you... I don't know if Gruden is the answer either. I'm not saying that he would be successful. I don't know for sure. But, if there is a "go big or keep the guy you have" mentality, who else is out there that is a big name that we could get?

why must we go "big"
The REAL requirement is a coach who would win, why limit ourselves with a "splash" hire?

Another thing.   I don't even know who Feldman is, I would assume he's a twitter-er of Vol stuff, but anyone who thinks Dooley will be fired if he beats bammer and then loses to USCe is a gigantic, flaming MO-RON.

OMFG.

Bruce Feldman? I thought you did research.

The way he said it was that he had been told that, not that it was his opinion.

I won't argue he is a better coach than kiffin but still......you need to be poked in the eye for that. Just go ahead and poke yourself in the eye.  :laugh:

I think that any hire of a big name OR of a proven coach who has been a coordinator in the league (think Charlie strong) would be a pretty big splash.

I take it you don't like Carroll? 

I don't know anyone that would want Pete Carroll to come to UT. I haven't taken a poll but I think you'd find more support for Bobby Petrino, and that says something.

It's probably a strong function of him being a "Yankee" also.  Southerners.....pfffffft :frown:

Really?  Well I guess Petrino has never been in *NCAA* trouble, but if you want a winner, there is no one better out there.

It's probably a strong function of him being a "Yankee" also.  Southerners.....pfffffft :frown:

Really?  Well I guess Petrino has never been in *NCAA* trouble, but if you want a winner, there is no one better out there.

It's probably a strong function of him being a "Yankee" also.  Southerners.....pfffffft :frown:

Sounds like you just want me to be poked in the eye, lol.

I take it you don't like Carroll? 

Really?  Well I guess Petrino has never been in *NCAA* trouble, but if you want a winner, there is no one better out there.

It's probably a strong function of him being a "Yankee" also.  Southerners.....pfffffft :frown:

If, IF Hart makes a move (I've previously stated that baring a November crash I don't think he will) then unlike Hamilton he will be ready with a (very) short list of candidates in hand and probably with 3rd party confirmation of interest in all potential candidates.