BREAKING: Big news on Tennessee's defensive coordinator's search: ($) Linky
Wes Rucker at 247
WE HAVE HIRED SAL SUNSERI AS DC
Update:
This is now being confirmed by Austin Ward:
"@Vols_Beat According to a UT source, Alabama outside linebackers coach Sal Sunseri is the new defensive coordinator for the Vols."
Confirmations abound now. Deal is worth 700-800k per year.
5 months ago
VolBrian
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I saw this in a comment:
I was really looking forward to expressing my emotion via emoticon, but iPads don’t do it. Has anyone else figured a work around for that?
I was planning on using the mooning emoticon and saying “take that Bama!”
______________________________________________
Boom. Here comes the Boom. Braydy or not. Here comes the boy from the West.
So it looks like we might've snagged Sunseri?
If so.. I’ll take it!
______________________________________________
Boom. Here comes the Boom. Braydy or not. Here comes the boy from the West.
Jayson Swain seems to confirm
@JaysonSwain Sunseri will work …lehhhgo.
Hello ladies. Look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn't me.
We shall steal their athletic department piece by piece!
Soon it will just be Nick Saban and a graduate assistant.
Austin Ward says it isn't done yet
but all signs do seem to be pointing Sunseri.
If I cared more about my UNC side, I'd call myself "Tar Volon," and that'd be awesome.
Bolts, Canes, Preds (now in different conferences!). Canes mini-STH. Southern hockey solidarity
Rocky Top Talk
by Incipient_Senescence on Jan 13, 2012 10:07 AM EST reply actions
He makes the most sense between what seems to have been
reduced to a 2 candidate race at this point in Buddy Green and Sunseri. I’m indifferent if Sunseri is hired as DC which is actually a step up from what would be disappointment if they hired Green. Either way it appears with the time crunch they were forced to settle.
"I dont hate people. I just feel better when they aren't around." -Bukowski
by cerebralfish on Jan 13, 2012 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
there's actually been some talk that Sunseri was Dooley's man all along
I’m a little confused by having your man be someone who’s never been an FBS coordinator, and it’s certainly a downgrade from Wilcox, but TIFWIW
If I cared more about my UNC side, I'd call myself "Tar Volon," and that'd be awesome.
Bolts, Canes, Preds (now in different conferences!). Canes mini-STH. Southern hockey solidarity
Rocky Top Talk
by Incipient_Senescence on Jan 13, 2012 10:27 AM EST up reply actions
Not to be argumentative
But can we give the guy a season before we start calling him a downgrade?
He was 2011’s recruiter of the year, a candidate for the DC job when Dooley was originally hired and apparently Dooley’s first choice.
Dooley knows how much pressure he has to win next season and went with this guy so maybe there is something to it but a wait and see attitude might behoove us Vol fans for once…..
Hello ladies. Look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn't me.
it was more a credit to Wilcox than a slam on Sunseri
but unknown is a downgrade from proven to be really really good.
but yeah, Dooley knows how much pressure he has to win now, so he’s hiring for his job. Everybody we get is obviously someone he believes in
If I cared more about my UNC side, I'd call myself "Tar Volon," and that'd be awesome.
Bolts, Canes, Preds (now in different conferences!). Canes mini-STH. Southern hockey solidarity
Rocky Top Talk
by Incipient_Senescence on Jan 13, 2012 10:38 AM EST up reply actions
THERE'S NO TIME TO WATE AND SEA
WE’VE GOTTA JUGE HIM NOW CLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!
I like Tennessee and Vanderbilt. There aren't many like me, and they're probably better off for it.
lol
Hello ladies. Look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn't me.
My 2 cents
It is a downgrade from a known DC’s ability versus someone who hasn’t been a DC at the D1 level…but certainly has been around some great ones for a while now
It is an upgrade in terms of recruiting capability from the DC position. Wilcox isn’t much of a recruiter and where our roster has been and is now ‘not really interested much in recruiting’ is not an option we can afford…clears throat…Chavis.
Dooley has upgraded the staff significantly with these hires in terms of recruiting with the lone exception of Sirmon.
Right now recruiting at a high level is job 1. Winning now is job 1a. But if I could only have one of the two, I’d take recruiting and if that costs Dooley his job, then at least the next guy is stepping into a pretty good roster situation.
eh...
I don’t think its a recruiting upgrade yet. Wilcox’s name and results were a pretty big attractant of recruits by themselves.
Sunseri might be a better closer, but don’t underestimate the reputation of a coach in getting that foot in the door.
disagree
Wilcox, while a great schemer, didn’t have a huge name. and Sunseri has national championships he can throw around
If I cared more about my UNC side, I'd call myself "Tar Volon," and that'd be awesome.
Bolts, Canes, Preds (now in different conferences!). Canes mini-STH. Southern hockey solidarity
Rocky Top Talk
by Incipient_Senescence on Jan 13, 2012 6:31 PM EST up reply actions
National Championships
A long resume with former players who love him, and NFL experience.
"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
by TennesseeTyrants on Jan 13, 2012 6:54 PM EST up reply actions
Agree...Wilcox particularly had limited reputation and brand awareness outside the WAC and PAC10
Remember he was an up and comer from little ol’ BSU. I remember lots of grumbling about if he was going to measure up against the big boys of the SEC. I think he left before he really proved that he could.
Also
He didn’t seem to particularly like to recruit and wasn’t terribly effective. He had not earned the rep to simply be the closer. It is a clear upgrade for recruiting.
Arguments about scheming and play calling are valid.
Wilcox needed a couple more years in the area to make the necessary connections.
It’s yet one more reason why the move back to Washington makes sense: he’s familiar with the programs, high school coaches, etc. in the area, and they’re familiar with him.
by David Hooper on Jan 13, 2012 11:06 PM EST up reply actions
Austin Ward is now onboard too
If I cared more about my UNC side, I'd call myself "Tar Volon," and that'd be awesome.
Bolts, Canes, Preds (now in different conferences!). Canes mini-STH. Southern hockey solidarity
Rocky Top Talk
by Incipient_Senescence on Jan 13, 2012 10:39 AM EST reply actions
If nothing else
He should know how to use Sentimore……
Hello ladies. Look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn't me.
Conspiracy Theory Time:
This is Hart’s hire, and a preliminary step to putting together Kirby Smart’s staff before we hire him as head coach after next season.
JK.
I won’t complain too much about this hire, if it really is a hire. I would have liked Shannon, but beggars can’t be choosers, to some degree.
"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
by TennesseeTyrants on Jan 13, 2012 10:46 AM EST reply actions
not an uncommon conspiracy theory
really hope it’s false
If I cared more about my UNC side, I'd call myself "Tar Volon," and that'd be awesome.
Bolts, Canes, Preds (now in different conferences!). Canes mini-STH. Southern hockey solidarity
Rocky Top Talk
by Incipient_Senescence on Jan 13, 2012 10:48 AM EST up reply actions
Yeah.
I don’t know if it’s a true conspiracy theory as much as it is just the way things could shake out if we have a bad year.
Here’s to hoping for a really good year.
"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
by TennesseeTyrants on Jan 13, 2012 10:51 AM EST up reply actions
I just hope Hart is smart enough not to go the coordinator route if he has to make a HC hire
If I cared more about my UNC side, I'd call myself "Tar Volon," and that'd be awesome.
Bolts, Canes, Preds (now in different conferences!). Canes mini-STH. Southern hockey solidarity
Rocky Top Talk
by Incipient_Senescence on Jan 13, 2012 10:52 AM EST up reply actions
If he hires Kirby Smart...
no matter what the situation is next season, it’s going to make me sick.
Would be a pretty obvious sign he is more concerned with doing a friend a favor than finding the best possible coach for UT.
I wouldn't go as far as to say it's ONLY doing a friend a favor.
I mean, it’s pretty well documented that Hart thinks Smart is the next big thing in coaching, right? It’s still technically finding the best possible coach for UT if he truly thinks Smart is the best possible coach.
Of course, no one likes seeing a coordinator directly hired at a major program, but it’s not unheard of. Look at Florida. They gave Muschamp the nod, and before we hired Dooley, we were willing to, as well. I wouldn’t exactly be thrilled with a completely unproven head coach. I just think it’s in play.
Either way, IF Dooley gets fired, and IF Smart is Hart’s guy, it will truly be the test of how good of a football coaching talent evaluator Hart is.
"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
by TennesseeTyrants on Jan 13, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
er, Muschamp may not want to be the example you use.
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 13, 2012 11:31 AM EST up reply actions
or the example you want to use.
Words!
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 13, 2012 11:32 AM EST up reply actions
I don't care what Muschamp wants!
I’m not trying to make the argument that Smart will be a good hire or anything like that.
I hope we don’t have to even have the discussion next offseason.
In hindsight, I don’t really know what I’m getting at anymore. haha
"Do the Titans have a miracle left in them in what has been a magical season to this point? If they do, they need it now. Christie kicks it high and short. Gonna be fielded by Lorenzo Neal at the 25; he dishes it back to Wycheck; he throws it across the field to Dyson. 30, 40, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5, endzone...touchdown, Titans! There are no flags on the field! It's a miracle! Tennessee has pulled a miracle! A miracle for the Titans!"
by TennesseeTyrants on Jan 13, 2012 11:36 AM EST up reply actions
agreed
If I cared more about my UNC side, I'd call myself "Tar Volon," and that'd be awesome.
Bolts, Canes, Preds (now in different conferences!). Canes mini-STH. Southern hockey solidarity
Rocky Top Talk
by Incipient_Senescence on Jan 13, 2012 11:28 AM EST up reply actions
This search has been so tight lipped and the rumors flying around so crazely
Who really knows what the true story is.
I’ve heard through other sites that Sunseri was Dooley’s early preference and the whole Shannon thing was wildly overblown. I do believe they checked Shannon’s interest but the price tag was such a non starter that talks never really got going. There’s something going on that is causing Shannon to still be on the side-lines.
It appears that Steele was contacted in terms of interest but was not necessarily the primary target – regardless of the fascinating story about Dooley and Hart’s cage match over Steele vs. Shannon – and he used that interest to over play his hand with Clemson which ultimately got him fired along with his defense’s 2011 performance and the disaster that was the Orange Bowl.
Based on rumors it appears others were probably quietly contacted to test interest which most seemed to use for leverage for pay raise at current gig but there’s no indication that Sanseri was not always the primary target from the get go. In fact, I could easily imagine that Dooley/Hart floated some of the other names as a distraction to keep the Sanseri deal under wraps as Sanseri rumors really only surfaced towards the end. If so, pretty clever work by the diabolical team of Dooley and Hart.
I would really like to know what people in AD offices think of Shannon.
Not just ours, but in general. I don’t get the sense from fans that Miami’s stink is on him at all, but a lot of reports speculate that athletic directors are skittish of it. There might be a disconnect between fans and ADs, but I have no idea what the ADs truly think; I just know what media types are guessing at.
by David Hooper on Jan 13, 2012 12:25 PM EST up reply actions
So is it possible Green's name
Was floated around by the athletic department to make this hire look that much better? Sunseri looks great compared to Green, but might feel like a letdown compared to Shannon (in the opinions of the fans). I’m not saying Sunseri won’t be great or that Shannon was ever even a possible candidate. But once Shannon’s name got out there could they have thrown another name out there to make Sunseri look great. Just a thought, nothing else.
Anyway, I am happy with this hire and will wait and see what the D can do next year before judging his DC ability.
I hope this makes Santos and Otha Peters stick with their commitments. And I hope we can keep Lance Thompson for at least this year. Did Thompson coach with Sunseri at Bama?
by PrideofTheSouthlandFan on Jan 13, 2012 10:52 AM EST via mobile reply actions
Otha Peters is all Vol, no worries with him.
I doubt that your scenario is plausible, no offense, but I just don’t see it.
Everything around seems to indicate this is who Dooley wanted all along and let’s not forget Dooley’s history with Saban and that coaching tree which includes Sunseri. Plus, I just don’t see them flying Green in and going through the rumored intense interview just as a smoke screen. We were doing enough of that for 12 coaching hires ourselves as fans.
This goes for the above Kirby Smart scenraio too.
Hello ladies. Look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn't me.
That does make more sense to me too.
So do you think that they did actually interview Green just in case Sunseri didn’t accept the offer. Especially with such a huge recruiting weekend coming up?
by PrideofTheSouthlandFan on Jan 13, 2012 11:02 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
Yes
And there is still a coaching position available. Who knows what they interviewed him for?
Hello ladies. Look at your man, now back to me, now back at your man, now back to me. Sadly, he isn't me.
Question about the SBNation iPhone app.
Why do posts like this not show up? Is it because it is a fan shot? If so, it would be great to have these posts show up on the blog in the app as well. I like to follow posts that are going to have huge comment threads with great discussion in the app because it is easier to filter through unread comments.
by PrideofTheSouthlandFan on Jan 13, 2012 11:05 AM EST via mobile reply actions
That's right.
Not sure why it has that functionality, but that’s how it goes. You should be able to navigate to it, I think (or failing that, you can shoot directly to the ’shots on the mobile site. Inconvenient, but it works).
Formerly 'snail. You get used to it after a while.
by Chris Pendley on Jan 13, 2012 11:21 AM EST up reply actions
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