Tennessee football: 5 most talented Vols teams to miss a bowl game
2. 2012: 5-7 (1-7)
In 2008, Tennessee football was an offensive coordinator hire away from being a solid team. This year, they were a defensive coordinator hire away from being a great team. And it was an insane season to watch as a result.
More from Vols Football
- How to Win a GUARANTEED $200 Bonus Betting Just $5 on the Vols vs. Florida!
- Tennessee Football at Florida: Five Keys to a Vols Victory
- Week 3 SEC Power Rankings: Did Tennessee Football’s Win Help At All?
- Week 3 AP Polls: Why Did Tennessee Football Drop in the Polls?
- Tennessee Football: Top Five Performers in 30-13 Win vs. Austin Peay
Entering his third season, Derek Dooley finally had all the pieces he needed. He and Jim Chaney had restocked the roster, and the Vols were loaded. Their offensive talent included Tyler Bray at quarterback, who’s been in the NFL for seven years now. He was throwing to future Pro Bowler Cordarrelle Patterson and future NFL starters Justin Hunter and Mychal Rivera.
Meanwhile, on the offensive line, Dallas Thomas, Ja’Wuan James, James Stone and Zach Fulton would all become future NFL starters. Antonio Richardson, the fifth guy up front, would have been one as well were it not for medical reasons.
Simply put, this team was loaded. And they showed it by setting records this year, averaging 36 points a game. Michael Palardy and Matt Darr, the kicker and punter, both also became NFL starters. So what happened?
Dooley made a terrible defensive coordinator hire. Justin Wilcox had left from the year before, and Dooley replaced him with Sal Sunseri, who was not a proven coordinator and also switched the scheme to a 3-4.
Related Story. Vols 10 greatest seasons coming off a losing record. light
The result was disastrous. UT scored over 30 points in five SEC games, and they lost four of them. They scored over 40 twice and lost both times. Daniel McCullers was an anchor in the middle up front for the group, but overall, it was disastrous due to the Sunseri hire. If Wilcox stays, or if Dooley hires Kevin Steele, UT likely goes 11-1 or 10-2. This team was loaded.