A death penalty by any other name

So, just how deep a hole has Tennessee found itself after the talent drain that came after Pruitt’s departure?  Historically speaking, pretty damned deep ($$).

I surveyed our college football staff at The Athletic and the closest examples are Baylor in 2016 and Penn State after the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Obviously, Tennessee’s issues are nothing like that, but the coaching change combined with immediate eligibility for transfers led to a perfect storm of talent drain.

Even with a free transfer after a tragic scandal, Penn State lost only about half the total number of players Tennessee did. The Nittany Lions managed to win 15 games the following two seasons but didn’t hit double digits until the fifth season after the scandal, which was James Franklin’s third season at the helm.

Even Baylor didn’t lose these kinds of numbers. The Bears lost seven players from their 2016 recruiting class and Matt Rhule basically had to rebuild the 2017 class from scratch.

If you’re a Georgia fan, there’s only one possible reaction to that.

Dave Chappelle Snl GIF by Saturday Night Live

42 Comments

Filed under Because Nothing Sucks Like A Big Orange, Transfers Are For Coaches.

42 responses to “A death penalty by any other name

  1. No mercy. Make it hurt.

    Liked by 5 people

    • chicagodawgfan

      As I previously posted a week ago….

      The TN fans, administrators and alumni have no idea how much the nuclear option set them back in order to get rid of Phat Phil and Crazy Jeremy, but they’re going to be reminded every Fall for the next 5 years. I hope it was worth it…

      Like

      • A year ago those Hillbillies were pretty much saying the pandemic was the only thing between them and Atlanta. Phat Phil and Orangeneck were going to bring back the happy days.

        Like

  2. MudCat's Mechanic

    Sucks to suck. FTMFs

    Liked by 4 people

  3. practicaldawg

    Penn State and Baylor also didn’t have an annual date with UGA, Bama, Florida and the rest of the SEC. Hard to see more than 2-3 wins for Tennessee this year even in the best of scenarios.

    Liked by 2 people

  4. Ran A

    Karma

    Like

  5. MGW

    Keep hiring and firing like you deserve a championship right now, and this is what happens. Morons.

    Like

  6. Being bad at cheating is worse than being bad at football. The problem is Tennessee is bad at both. Here’s all I’ve got to say about that:

    Liked by 1 person

    • Down Island Way

      Dear dumpster fire,
      You burn so bright,
      In the dark of night, i find my way back to you,
      If not for pruitt, who would have knew it,
      My heart is for you still, despite phil,
      Tis true, FU got burnt by the shoe, It is you dumpster fire that i am true,
      Some may retort, I may even transport,
      Will always love you dumpster fire, ca$h filled bags and all….

      Liked by 10 people

  7. Salty Dawg

    Hahahahahahahahahaha! The vowels are in a deep hole and couldn’t get out even if you threw them a rope! Not that I ever would do that. FTMF!

    Liked by 1 person

  8. dawgman3000

    It appears that Rocky Top has hit the Rocky Bottom.

    Liked by 1 person

  9. David D

    I normally don’t read articles like this while enjoying popcorn at 7:30 in the morning. Today, I made an exception. I’m thinking about having a beer now.

    Liked by 1 person

  10. dawgman3000

    Senator, have I been banned or something? My comments aren’t showing up.

    Like

  11. Godawg

    Vanderbilt’s Knoxville campus

    Liked by 2 people

  12. Corch Irvin Meyers, Former Jags Corch (2024)

    As far as I’m concerned, those stupid hillbillies, one of the worst fanbases in all of CFB, have gotten exactly what they deserve.

    And no, to some of my weak-minded fellow Dawg fans who keep saying this nonsense, CFB is NOT better when Tennessee is good.

    CFB is perfectly fine with Tennessee being a fucking dumpster fire.

    Liked by 9 people

    • Godawg

      If anything, they’re MORE entertaining as a dumpster fire.

      Liked by 1 person

    • stoopnagle

      WORD

      Like

    • RangerRuss

      I won’t even argue about them being the worst fans. They’re the only ones that had me, while pumping gas, reach for my .45 to find my buddy was already sliding it my way. Psycho fuckn hillbillies. I hope they lose every game forever.

      Liked by 1 person

      • Corch Irvin Meyers, Former Jags Corch (2024)

        I mean, when you base your sartorial decisions all around not having to change your clothes if you’re watching football, hunting, or in prison, then yeah, you’re trash people.

        Liked by 1 person

        • bigjohnson1992

          Ha. Very true. I’ve said that for years. Deer hunting all morning then straight to the game. Males and females both.

          Liked by 1 person

          • Corch Irvin Meyers, Former Jags Corch (2024)

            And then to county lock-up after the game.

            Never have to change their clothes once.

            Liked by 1 person

      • Munsoning

        Have you told this story on GTP before? I gotta hear it.

        Liked by 1 person

        • RangerRuss

          Long story short, the only thing I have identifying me as a Dawg fan is G valve stem covers. Big, hairy, tweaker-looking vols fan starts screaming at me before sunup at the local gas station/minimart. I was ready, but dammitman. Should’ve hosed his ass down with regular unleaded ala Raylan Givens.

          Liked by 1 person

          • rigger92

            The only time I have ever drawn a weapon on someone was in Wichita, zKS. Some kid manage to get my hotel room card from the desk and he came in, I got my gun pointed at him and that’s pretty much the end. Thankful that was the end though, I would have shot him in less than a minute if he did’nt go away. That’s the scary part. It was in Topeka KS and I live in SC, it’s all over.

            Liked by 1 person

  13. stoopnagle

    The worst home loss in Vols history is 56-0 from 1893 against Kentucky.

    C’mon Kirby. You know what to do.

    Liked by 4 people

  14. Robert (Jeff)rey Wolford

    The Heathen Hun deserve every bit of heartache and misery that is possible. Of all the descriptive words available in in the English language,, “unclassy” best describes the entire lot.

    Liked by 1 person

  15. Texas Dawg

    And to think, the NCAA fall out from all of Pruitt’s shenanigans is yet to come. This could be fun for year to come.

    Like

  16. Tony BarnFart

    Rinse and repeat. When they’re 4-7 going into Thanksgiving weekend 2022, my brother-in-law will regale the family about how he has no faith in Heupel and 2023 “is it or else !”

    Like