VTTW Board Index

We're entering a 2-3 year window where we can compete for championships before re-tooling the roster again.  Stability is paramount right now.  The time may come to install a new offense, but now is not that time. 

For this particular situation, DeBord is perfect because:

1.  He's not going to coach for 20 years.  He can stay here for 3-4 years and make this his "last hurrah" before retiring for good.

2.  As he's been out of coaching for a couple seasons, he's a "clean slate" guy.  Meaning he's not going to insist on bringing in his own assistants, and he has no system of his own to install.  We'll have the same players, running the same system, with (mostly) the same position coaches.  Again: Stability.

3.  Butch is clearly more comfortable with DeBord than anyone else.  And as he's demonstrated over the past three years, his comfort level and previous experience with guys is the overriding factor in his hiring process.  It's worked out for him thus far.  As more and more of his coaches move on to other jobs, I think Butch is going to have to eventually move out of his comfort zone in his hires if he wants to remain competitive in the SEC.  But again, now is not that time.

4.  Finally, they didn't have to break the bank to get him, and thus had some funds left over to give promotions to Gillespie and Z.  Hopefully, this will keep those guys content and they will remain in Knoxville for a few more years.  For most any of the other names that were being bandied about, they would've have to shell out close to 7 figures or more, and the pool for the other assistants would've shrunk drastically.

So I'm on board.  I don't think a whole lot is going to change- except hopefully, some of the situational playcalling will improve. 

I am not filled with joy Re: the hire but I'm not going over the top anal retentive as many on VQ are.
I guess I'm in a wait and see. 
The reality is that our GA will be the primary QB coach and (I hope) the OC will "assist" with OL development. 
Now that I mention the OL, we were really a LT away from having a reasonable OL the last few games. 
Gilliam played pretty well at RT - who replaces him will be huge!
Robertson was playing VERY well.  He was a pulling monster, there is a reason we were left handed.
Crowder was playing OK.  For as much as I yelled about missed assignments we sure did miss him when he was hurt. 
Jackson was serviceable.  I hope we can upgrade at LG.  Can Thomas pick up the pace, I know they are grooming for center but he has good size and mobility for the OG position.
We need Blair to be able to play early on till Richmond and/or Jones are ready to play; at least 1 of the 2 will need to play this year.