Everyone has their style.
I follow Tennessee closely and love what Jeremy Pruitt is doing. He can’t schmooze, hell, he can’t even speak English, “a’ight?” But he can coach. His team is light years from where it was 2 years ago.
He had a team meeting and told them of the 85 or so players, maybe 20 could play SEC football. And the rest? Should hit the weight room, work with their position coach, or leave.
controversial. But now ... they are winning. The fan base is back, attitude is good.
I hope things work out. But I would not be surprised to see Geoff replaced before the end of his contract. Maybe by Brent Key? Geoff just reminds me of Butch Jones.
Jeremy Pruitt also walked into a situation for a team that’s previous recruiting classes were:
2014: 7th nationally, 5th SEC
2015: 4th nationally, 2nd SEC
2016: 14th nationally, 7th SEC
2017: 17th nationally, 7th SEC
2018: 21st nationally, 8th SEC
The
worst class that Pruitt had to work with is still better than the
best class that Tech has ever had. That worst class was also the youngest class, so they would not be asked to play any significant minutes. That is a much different situation that what Collins inherited at Tech. Let’s not forget that Pruitt went 5-7 in 2018 and lost by 25 points to Vanderbilt team that went 6-7. In 2019 Pruitt lost to Georgia State and BYU, and lost to Tennessee’s 3 biggest rivals (Bama, Georgia, and Florida) by combined scores of 30-112.
Kirby Smart took over a Georgia team with previous recruiting classes of:
2012: 12th nationally
2013: 12th nationally
2014: 7th nationally
2015: 6th nationally
2016: 9th nationally
He then proceeded to go 7-5 in the regular season, and 4-4 in the SEC. And lost to a Vandy team that finished 6-7, and to Tech.
Keep in mind that neither of those coaches were tasked with completely changing the identity of their teams. Nor were they asked to completely overhaul the fundamental bases of their offenses, and do so with players who were not built or recruiting for that style of play. Those 2 also had the advantages of having an athletic department and school that fully supports the football program, and they were basically given blank checks to fill out the rest of their staffs.
It takes time for teams to improve after coaching changes. Y’all may not like to hear it, but the biggest transition in history talking point has a lot of merit to it. I don’t think there’s ever been anybody asked to do what Collins has been asked to do at Tech. Not with the challenges and obstacles that comes along with coaching at Georgia Tech brings. Y’all need to wait until at least mid-year in year 3 before throwing out these ridiculous accusations and calls for heads. Tech was picked last in the ACC for a reason. I don’t think that’s where Tech belongs, but everybody understands what Tech is up against except for our own fans I guess. Just look at the comments from opposing coaches before the year. The general consensus was that the team would be much improved, but it might not show in the record. Anybody that thought 5+ wins was going to be all but guaranteed this year really has no idea where Tech actually stands.