Coaching
The Georgia game was better, but this grade is for the entire first half of the season, and frankly, coaching mistakes in key situations have cost Tennessee the opportunity to finish games that they should have won. Taking the foot off the gas offensively allowed Oklahoma to finally make moves against a worn down Tennessee defense, kicking the extra point in The Swamp instead of going for two when up 12 was a huge mistake that kept Tennessee from having an opportunity in overtime, and the complete lack of adjustments against Arkansas allowed the Hogs and Bret Bielema to notch an SEC road win that had escaped them for three seasons.
Tennessee held 13-point leads (or more) in all of those games and lost all three. That can’t happen, and the coaches are ultimately responsible. Again, the second half of the season affords the staff the ability to prove they can learn and adjust from previous mistakes, but the first half of the season was a disappointment.
Grades:
Daniel: D
Houston: D+
Reed: D
Average Grade: D
