I hate to see him go, he is a first class guy and won the right way. But the record over the last 5-6 years wasn't getting it done, can't be around .500 in the SEC. We backed into last year's SEC championship game, had this year to show it wasn't a fluke but see the trend spiralling downward. I think the real issue is the fact that SC, GA, FL, AL, OH, etc have locked their borders recruiting wise. Keeping their best talent in-state with the new coaches coming into the league the last 6-7 years. The 98 championship team was loaded with top players from GA, SC, AL, Ohio (Jamal Lewis, Deon Grant, Cosey Coleman, Peerless Price, to name a few) not second tier. I think we have top talent at many positions, (thank goodness Eric Berry has a TN legacy) but not deep enough into the bench. The new guy will have his work cut out for him beating Richt, Saban, Meyer, Miles, Tressel, etc in their home states.
Further complicating things is the history that few teams get the first hire right when replacing a long term success (Goff after Dooley, Zook after Spurrier, Gibbs after Switzer, Barfield after Jordan, Solich/Callahan after Osborne, etc. Of course the ultimate example has been AL. Since Bear died they could fill a cotton gin with their bad choices, only Stallings and Saban are worth their weight in Sand Mtn cotton.
I do think it was time to change and glad that he is going out with deserved honor and respect from the administration but I think it is pretty unlikely this is going to be solved by the next guy... hope I am wrong
