It appears that I have been slacking recently on my blogging so I thought I would give everyone a brief overview of my last seven months. As we move from the Thanksgiving season into the Christmas season I am in awe of the countless blessings in my life.
Family
The last 7 months have flown by as Autumn and I have watched Cooper grow from a helpless baby to a curious explorer who is walking all over the house and getting into anything and everything. As many of you know, Cooper was prescribed a helmet to correct a flat spot on the back of his head. He has worn it for almost 5 months now and it has definitely corrected the problem. It has been very amusing for Autumn and I to hear the various comments and questions that come when your infant child is wearing a helmet. Children, as always, say the darnedest things. Just last Sunday as we were leaving church a little boy asked his mother why Cooper was allowed to wear a skateboard helmet to church. When we took Cooper to Neyland Stadium for his first game, many Vol fans thought the helmet was just part of Cooper's gameday attire and many of them wanted to know where they could get one for their kids.
I know that I am somewhat of a fanatic when it comes to Tennessee Volunteers Football and it was one of the highlights of my year to get to take Cooper to his first game in Neyland Stadium. I know he probably won't remember that the Vols barely beat UAB in overtime but that will be a memory that I cherish for the rest of my life. I remember talking to my friend Chris about having kids and one of the things I looked forward to most was the opportunity to take Cooper into Neyland for the 1st time and watch his reaction to the sea of 100,000 orange clad fans erupt when the team runs through the Power T while the band plays Rocky Top. I still remember the first game I went to in Neyland with my Dad and I hope that Cooper and I have many great memories ahead. Cooper had a great time at the game and almost made it through the game before finally falling asleep in the 4th quarter. The noise and crowd did not bother him and the weather was perfect. A big thanks to Carrie for getting us tickets in the TN Terrace where we had an air conditioning concssions area and plenty of room to sit with Cooper.
In other family news, Autumn has started a new job as a manager with a different pharmaceutical company. I am so blessed to have a wife that can balance being a great mother, wonderful wife and work as hard as she does. She has to travel some during the week and I am grateful for her sacrifice for our family. She is the one who allows me to take the necessary time to build my law practice and I can't express how much she means to me and to our family.
We just celebrated Cooper's first birthday and I am already starting to wonder where we are going to put all of the toys he was given from his grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends. We had about 50 people come to his party and we are truly blessed to have such great families who live close to us and great friends in and around Franklin.
Cooper is so lucky to have both sets of grandparents close by as well his aunts Lauren and Leah, aunt Elizabeth and Uncle Rusty, and cousins Aubrey, Carter and Andrew. Aunt Kristen, Uncle Frank, cousins Megan and Madeline live in Mississippi but they visit frequently and Cooper loves the attention when they come to stay with us. Cooper was able to go help Grandma Jeter move into her new home and really loves his great grandma. We can't wait to take a trip to the Northeast so he can meet the rest of my mom's family.
We are truly blessed with a great family!
Friends
Autumn and I have a great group of friends and we enjoyed tailgating before UT games, going to dinner, or just getting together and hanging out with many of them this year. My long-time friend Josh finally tied the knot and married a wonderful girl. He is the last one of our group of friends to get married and I was honored to be his best man. Our good friends Chris and Carrie found out they are pregnant and will be adding a new Vol fan to their family next Summer. My college roomate Sal and his wife,Meher, had their first baby, Zaara, and they are doing well living in Washington D.C.
As usual, the Tennessee Wild Boyz put on several great tailgates this year and we had a great time enjoying the time with friends and watching the Vols fight through a tough season to earn a bowl berth. TWB Fan of The Year goes to my buddy Luke who flew up from Austin, TX to attend several home games this year. That man is dedicated!
It has been a gret year for the Jeter's and we are truly blessesd to have so many great family and friends in our lives. Merry Christmans and Happy New Year to each of you and your families. May God bless you in the new year!
I almost forgot, GO VOLS!
Wednesday, December 22, 2010
Thursday, May 27, 2010
2010 Middle Tennessee Flood
Many of you were affected by the flood earlier this month and I wanted to share with you some of my Dad's memories of that weekend. He stayed at our house that weekend because the flood waters blocked about 5 routes to his house. We were glad to have him there, especially when we were evacuated by the National Guard.
Three Days in May
My Thoughts on the Great Flood of 2010
by Jere Jeter
It was a rare Saturday, May 1, 2010. Rare in the sense that I had to work at a forest landowner meeting in Nashville and rare in the sense that the rain that began to fall that day would continue until creeks and rivers overflowed their banks, city streets, roads and interstate highways were flooded, houses, businesses, vehicles, barns and other possessions were washed away or damaged and lives lost. This rare rain event, called by some a 500 year flood and by others a millennia flood, will be remembered by some as the great disaster of a lifetime and by others as perhaps their greatest opportunity to be and to witness the hands and feet of Jesus.
I left work at 1:30 heading for my home in Leipers Fork, Tennessee. After stopping to fill up with gasoline, I spent the next 3 to 3.5 hours trying to manage my way through extraordinarily heavy Saturday traffic in order to find a route home that was not blocked by rising water or mudslide. During this time of searching for a road without water, I witnessed many sights that were quite sobering. Water rising in people’s houses, a SUV and a pick-up truck floating down a swollen creek like fishing bobbers, a mudslide that blocked passage in both directions, three horses stranded in a field with water steadily rising at shoulder level, and many people frantic about getting to loved ones or stuff. Our house is on high ground so I felt comfortable that Maureen would be okay at home until I would be able to get through. After unsuccessfully attempting every road that leads home, I headed for our son Paul’s house in Franklin which is near the Harpeth River but far above the 100-year flood plain..
Once at Paul and Autumn’s I had time to think about the ramifications of the rising water. Part of their development was built closer to the Harpeth River than Paul and Autumn’s house and those houses nearer the river were beginning to experience flooding by Saturday afternoon. It was then that I first saw residents walking the familiar and not-so-familiar streets near their homes to check on neighbor and stranger alike. Some were lending a hand helping to get stuff to higher shelves or second floors, others were checking on the property of neighbors who were out of town. There was a sense of urgency but not panic. In fact, some seemed to be enjoying the novelty of the high water. On Saturday evening we saw the water rise unbelievably fast, maybe 3-4 feet in depth in a matter of thirty minutes. Then it receded causing me to believe the worst might be over, but a quick look at the regional weather radar brought me back to reality. There was plenty more rain headed our way from down south. It was also Saturday that we learned that nephew John Campbell, his wife Cassie and new son Cayden who live in nearby Bellvue had received extensive damage to their brand new home due to 2-3 feet of water inside. Still unable to get home, I spent the night with Paul and Autumn and Cooper in their beautiful home.
Sunday brought no relief from the falling rain that seemed to come in waves, falling at the rate of 3-4 inches per hour at times. Our church services were cancelled simply because the building was an island and no one could get there by vehicle. Paul and I drove around the neighborhood, at least as far as we could , to check on the damage. One vivid memory of Saturday and Sunday was the seemingly endless sound of emergency vehicles trying to get to someone or some place. The flooding was widespread causing damage among the low income and wealthy alike; mobile homes were destroyed as well as million dollar houses. We watched the water level in the yard across the street and on the street rise to uncomfortable levels. Paul moved his truck to higher ground, we moved furniture and rugs from the first to the second floor and we moved everything off the garage floor, including a refrigerator to the porch. We were expecting water to at least get into the garage. In the meantime, Maureen had lost television reception and eventually power at our house. Obviously, there was non-stop news coverage of the rising waters but Maureen, without television, was not able to keep up with the scope of the flood. We were thankful for cell phones; we never lost contact with each other..
About 8:00 pm a young very professional and sensitive Sheriff’s Deputy knocked on the door and told Autumn that the decision had been made by emergency management to evacuate the neighborhood. Paul and Autumn had a choice (not really) to stay or to be picked up by a military truck. Here were the terms: “we are going to turn off the power to the development (some houses actually burned during the flooding due to gasoline cans turning over in the rising water at the same time pilot lights were still ignited) and if you stay behind, the national guard would not be able to get back for you”. After a brief discussion, we began to prepare for the exodus. First, all things necessary for Cooper to be comfortable then the essentials for a couple days away. Autumn and Paul were calm and organized during this “getting ready to leave time” . It was then that I knew they both understood that what they would be leaving was just stuff, a very nice house with good furniture and other belongings but nonetheless stuff. We all packed a few necessities, had a quick but powerful word of prayer and then four or five trucks arrived.
Like the deputy, the national guardsmen/women we came in contact with were very professional and sensitive to what the residents were experiencing. About 27-28 persons, representing 8 or so families, and the two Jeter dogs (Wyatt and Wriley) boarded the truck. The deputy had assured us the dogs would be welcome. Among this group of refugees were folks ranging in age from baby Cooper to a great grandmother from New Hampshire who appeared to be near 90 who was in town for her great-grandson’s first Communion. There seemed to be a sense of resignation to the fact that the loss of stuff was in store for most everyone on the truck. A quick poll revealed that no one on the truck had flood insurance. Paul and Autumn took the ordeal in stride.. It was clear that what was most important to them was on the truck and not on the foundation of their house. The trucks had to leave in convoy and as we waited for the others to be loaded, the people on our truck began to mention families who wanted to be evacuated but had not made it to the truck. Four or five families in all. It was then that a neighbor who had decided to stay in his home came by in a boat and gave assurance that he would check on those believed to be stranded. As I looked out the back of the truck as it pulled away through three feet of water I was reminded of a Mike Card song with the line, ....”.the freedom we find in the things we leave behind”. Maybe out of context, but none of the homeowners on that truck knew for sure what they would find when they were allowed back to their houses. It was the following Sunday at church during a time of testimonies that Scott Smith, son of our pastor by the same name, said that as he realized his car was gone and that there was several feet of water in his house, he felt completely free. He was no longer tethered to the stuff in his life because it was basically gone. Another member was quoted as saying, I paraphrase, “I have shed many tears over this flood this week but they have all been for the people helping me and none for the stuff I lost”.
There has been so much outpouring of love and help for and from the neighbor next door, a fellow church member and strangers alike. What a story of redemption this flood has been. I think, without a doubt, lives have been changed forever because of the high water. We grieve with those families who have lost a loved one and we feel for the ones who have suffered monetary loss but we rejoice with them who have loved and been loved well through this. At last count Nashville alone had suffered damages exceeding $2.0 billion. Sometimes God keeps us from the storms of life and sometimes He loves us through the storms. Will the Great Flood of 2010 be known most as the greatest natural disaster in the history of Middle Tennessee or the event that aroused the hearts of many, many people who now understand the difference between stuff and the important. I guess it depends on one’s perspective.
Three Days in May
My Thoughts on the Great Flood of 2010
by Jere Jeter
It was a rare Saturday, May 1, 2010. Rare in the sense that I had to work at a forest landowner meeting in Nashville and rare in the sense that the rain that began to fall that day would continue until creeks and rivers overflowed their banks, city streets, roads and interstate highways were flooded, houses, businesses, vehicles, barns and other possessions were washed away or damaged and lives lost. This rare rain event, called by some a 500 year flood and by others a millennia flood, will be remembered by some as the great disaster of a lifetime and by others as perhaps their greatest opportunity to be and to witness the hands and feet of Jesus.
I left work at 1:30 heading for my home in Leipers Fork, Tennessee. After stopping to fill up with gasoline, I spent the next 3 to 3.5 hours trying to manage my way through extraordinarily heavy Saturday traffic in order to find a route home that was not blocked by rising water or mudslide. During this time of searching for a road without water, I witnessed many sights that were quite sobering. Water rising in people’s houses, a SUV and a pick-up truck floating down a swollen creek like fishing bobbers, a mudslide that blocked passage in both directions, three horses stranded in a field with water steadily rising at shoulder level, and many people frantic about getting to loved ones or stuff. Our house is on high ground so I felt comfortable that Maureen would be okay at home until I would be able to get through. After unsuccessfully attempting every road that leads home, I headed for our son Paul’s house in Franklin which is near the Harpeth River but far above the 100-year flood plain..
Once at Paul and Autumn’s I had time to think about the ramifications of the rising water. Part of their development was built closer to the Harpeth River than Paul and Autumn’s house and those houses nearer the river were beginning to experience flooding by Saturday afternoon. It was then that I first saw residents walking the familiar and not-so-familiar streets near their homes to check on neighbor and stranger alike. Some were lending a hand helping to get stuff to higher shelves or second floors, others were checking on the property of neighbors who were out of town. There was a sense of urgency but not panic. In fact, some seemed to be enjoying the novelty of the high water. On Saturday evening we saw the water rise unbelievably fast, maybe 3-4 feet in depth in a matter of thirty minutes. Then it receded causing me to believe the worst might be over, but a quick look at the regional weather radar brought me back to reality. There was plenty more rain headed our way from down south. It was also Saturday that we learned that nephew John Campbell, his wife Cassie and new son Cayden who live in nearby Bellvue had received extensive damage to their brand new home due to 2-3 feet of water inside. Still unable to get home, I spent the night with Paul and Autumn and Cooper in their beautiful home.
Sunday brought no relief from the falling rain that seemed to come in waves, falling at the rate of 3-4 inches per hour at times. Our church services were cancelled simply because the building was an island and no one could get there by vehicle. Paul and I drove around the neighborhood, at least as far as we could , to check on the damage. One vivid memory of Saturday and Sunday was the seemingly endless sound of emergency vehicles trying to get to someone or some place. The flooding was widespread causing damage among the low income and wealthy alike; mobile homes were destroyed as well as million dollar houses. We watched the water level in the yard across the street and on the street rise to uncomfortable levels. Paul moved his truck to higher ground, we moved furniture and rugs from the first to the second floor and we moved everything off the garage floor, including a refrigerator to the porch. We were expecting water to at least get into the garage. In the meantime, Maureen had lost television reception and eventually power at our house. Obviously, there was non-stop news coverage of the rising waters but Maureen, without television, was not able to keep up with the scope of the flood. We were thankful for cell phones; we never lost contact with each other..
About 8:00 pm a young very professional and sensitive Sheriff’s Deputy knocked on the door and told Autumn that the decision had been made by emergency management to evacuate the neighborhood. Paul and Autumn had a choice (not really) to stay or to be picked up by a military truck. Here were the terms: “we are going to turn off the power to the development (some houses actually burned during the flooding due to gasoline cans turning over in the rising water at the same time pilot lights were still ignited) and if you stay behind, the national guard would not be able to get back for you”. After a brief discussion, we began to prepare for the exodus. First, all things necessary for Cooper to be comfortable then the essentials for a couple days away. Autumn and Paul were calm and organized during this “getting ready to leave time” . It was then that I knew they both understood that what they would be leaving was just stuff, a very nice house with good furniture and other belongings but nonetheless stuff. We all packed a few necessities, had a quick but powerful word of prayer and then four or five trucks arrived.
Like the deputy, the national guardsmen/women we came in contact with were very professional and sensitive to what the residents were experiencing. About 27-28 persons, representing 8 or so families, and the two Jeter dogs (Wyatt and Wriley) boarded the truck. The deputy had assured us the dogs would be welcome. Among this group of refugees were folks ranging in age from baby Cooper to a great grandmother from New Hampshire who appeared to be near 90 who was in town for her great-grandson’s first Communion. There seemed to be a sense of resignation to the fact that the loss of stuff was in store for most everyone on the truck. A quick poll revealed that no one on the truck had flood insurance. Paul and Autumn took the ordeal in stride.. It was clear that what was most important to them was on the truck and not on the foundation of their house. The trucks had to leave in convoy and as we waited for the others to be loaded, the people on our truck began to mention families who wanted to be evacuated but had not made it to the truck. Four or five families in all. It was then that a neighbor who had decided to stay in his home came by in a boat and gave assurance that he would check on those believed to be stranded. As I looked out the back of the truck as it pulled away through three feet of water I was reminded of a Mike Card song with the line, ....”.the freedom we find in the things we leave behind”. Maybe out of context, but none of the homeowners on that truck knew for sure what they would find when they were allowed back to their houses. It was the following Sunday at church during a time of testimonies that Scott Smith, son of our pastor by the same name, said that as he realized his car was gone and that there was several feet of water in his house, he felt completely free. He was no longer tethered to the stuff in his life because it was basically gone. Another member was quoted as saying, I paraphrase, “I have shed many tears over this flood this week but they have all been for the people helping me and none for the stuff I lost”.
There has been so much outpouring of love and help for and from the neighbor next door, a fellow church member and strangers alike. What a story of redemption this flood has been. I think, without a doubt, lives have been changed forever because of the high water. We grieve with those families who have lost a loved one and we feel for the ones who have suffered monetary loss but we rejoice with them who have loved and been loved well through this. At last count Nashville alone had suffered damages exceeding $2.0 billion. Sometimes God keeps us from the storms of life and sometimes He loves us through the storms. Will the Great Flood of 2010 be known most as the greatest natural disaster in the history of Middle Tennessee or the event that aroused the hearts of many, many people who now understand the difference between stuff and the important. I guess it depends on one’s perspective.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
So Close
Just got home from St. Louis. My thoughts on the game:
1. Hopson had at least 2 opportunities to get a 50/50 ball and he did
not put forth a championship effort to get the loose ball.
2. The team's effort was outstanding today.
3. A couple of loose balls bounced MSU's way and they converted one of
those into a huge 3 pointer.
4. The substitutions in the middle of the second half were awful when
coach Jones put in a team that had no scoring options.
5. Brian Williams was a man today and it is amazing how far he has
come regardless of his free throw shooting. We would not have been in
this game without him today.
6. Wayne didn't get the job done in the paint. Not sure if that's all
on him because some of the entry passes were terrible. He has to hit
that chip shot late in the game, play better defense in the paint and
get more than 3 boards.
7. I like that Scotty wanted to take the last shot just wish we would
have waited a few more seconds before we ran him off the screen.
8. We did not get back on defense after the Hopson missed ft and they
got the ball in too deep. After he got the ball down there, it was
too late.
9. Free throws!
10. All of the above could be nitpicking because this is the most
succesful team ever at UT. I'm proud of this team and we were so
close to going to Indy. What a tough loss today. Go Vols!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Are You Ready For The Madness?
March is here and along with it comes the best extended sports weekend of the year. I'm talking about the 1st and 2nd round of the NCAA Men's basketball Tournament. No other 4 day stretch in sports packs more action and excitement than the Tourney. You will see blowouts, upsets, buzzer beaters, amazing shots, breathtaking performances and a total of 48 games. I love the college football bowl season as much as anyone but even it can't compete with the opening weekend of the Tourney. How many of you will find a way out of work on that Thursday and Friday to watch the games? I am hoping that the Volunteers play like they did against Kansas and Kentucky and make a good run the tourney.
On the personal side of things, Cooper is almost three months old and he is doing great. Autumn is a great mother and she is enjoying her time at home with him. He will begin going to daycare at The Goddard School staring in April and we are not sure how we are going to react when we drop him off for the first time. He continues to grow and we can't wait for all the joys in the journey of raising him.
I continue to grow my Law Practice and have enjoyed working on cases in criminal law, family law, personal injury and workers' compensation. Being my own boss has its rewards and drawbacks but I don't think that I could ever go to work for someone else after having a taste of working for myself. Practicing law is very similar to many other businesses because you have to get new clients or "customers" to keep the bills paid. Many attorneys take a lot of heat for advertising on TV or on phonebooks but that is how they get new clients. Most other businesses advertising on TV are not scrutinized like attorneys are. That being said, I hope that I can continue to grow my business by way of referrals. From my experience, word of mouth produces the best clients and cases.
I hope everyone has a good March and gets to enjoy watching some great basketball. Go Vols!
On the personal side of things, Cooper is almost three months old and he is doing great. Autumn is a great mother and she is enjoying her time at home with him. He will begin going to daycare at The Goddard School staring in April and we are not sure how we are going to react when we drop him off for the first time. He continues to grow and we can't wait for all the joys in the journey of raising him.
I continue to grow my Law Practice and have enjoyed working on cases in criminal law, family law, personal injury and workers' compensation. Being my own boss has its rewards and drawbacks but I don't think that I could ever go to work for someone else after having a taste of working for myself. Practicing law is very similar to many other businesses because you have to get new clients or "customers" to keep the bills paid. Many attorneys take a lot of heat for advertising on TV or on phonebooks but that is how they get new clients. Most other businesses advertising on TV are not scrutinized like attorneys are. That being said, I hope that I can continue to grow my business by way of referrals. From my experience, word of mouth produces the best clients and cases.
I hope everyone has a good March and gets to enjoy watching some great basketball. Go Vols!
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Back to Business
The coaching change whirlwind has finally settled down on Rocky Top and it's time to get back to business as usual. Coach Derek Dooley went from "Who in the world is that?" to the Coach who will bring balance to the Big Orange Universe. I think that Tennessee had to dig deep in its coaching search to find Dooley but he could be just what we need up on The Hill. He was clearly raised to be a southern gentleman by his father and Georgia coaching legend Vince Dooley which is more than I can say about the last guy running the show in Knoxville. Speaking of Lane, I can't really blame the guy for taking his dream job but it just came at the worst time possible. Who knew that Pete Carroll would leave one of the best jobs in the country to try his hand again in the NFL? Lane left at the worst time possible but Coach Dooley salvaged a great recruiting class in two weeks and has us back on track. Dooley has already shown that he can get it done on the recruiting trail but now he must prove that he can coach with the big dogs in the SEC. It will definitely be an interesting summer and fall in Big Orange Country. There will be no learning curve for Dooley because he will welcome the Gators and Oregon Ducks to Neyland Stadium in the first few weeks of the season. We will know very quickly how well Dooley can swim in SEC waters.
Thoughts on Recruiting
How crazy is it that grown men and women live and die by the decisions of 17 or 18 year old high school football players? I am guilty of getting sucked in myself and found the night before National Signing Day to be much like Christmas Eve for a child. I couldn't sleep because I was so anxious to find out what kids were going to sign a letter of intent to play for the Vols and I actually watched a live online video feed from WR prospect Markeith Ambles at 12:30 am. It was great, he sat around and bragged about himself and talked on his cell phone while hundreds of fans from around the country were watching to see if he would give a hint as to who he would play for. I am also guilty, as many others are, of becoming friends with these guys on facebook to get any extra information that might give me an idea if the kids would play for the Vols. Markeith chose USC so many Vol fans have removed him from their friend list and are no longer following him on Twitter. I can't even imagine what it is like to be these athletes who are already celebrities at age 17. I just hope that these kids don't let the hype go to their head and put in the necessary work to be successful in college as an athlete and student.
On to Hoops
I was lucky enough to get some great seats to the UT/Vandy game last night and showed up at Memorial Gymnasium ready for a Tennessee victory. Obviously the Vols basketball team forgot that they actually had to put forth a decent effort to beat the 'Dores. My hat is off to Vanderbilt but this is the same Tennessee team that beat #1 ranked Kansas earlier in the season. I really like Bruce Pearl but sometimes the motivation and inspiration he brings is not enough to beat teams that are fundamentally sound and execute on both ends of the court. I am not going to get too low with this loss but I hope the Vols can finish the season strong and make a good showing in the NCAA Tourney. Key stat from the game last night: Vanderbilt shot 37 for 43 from the free throw line and Tennessee was 13 for 21. Just a small discrepancy in free throw attempts...I'm Just sayin'.
Personal Notes
My son Cooper just turned two months old and he recently began to smile at his mother and me. I think he will be ready to attend the Manning Passing Camp in the near future.
I am staying busy with work and the Jeter Law Firm is well on its way to being the next Cochran Law Firm. I am working on personal injury, workers' compensation, criminal and domestic cases and am enjoying being an advocate for those who need legal assistance. I still have aspirations of becoming a sports agent and we will see where that dream takes me.
My sister Elizabeth and her husband Rusty have decided to adopt two young children from Rwanda and had a very successful fundraiser on Monday night at Jim and Nick's in Murfreesboro. We are excited to meet the new additions to our family.
I think the only thing left to say is Go Vols and I'll hang up and listen to your comments.
Thoughts on Recruiting
How crazy is it that grown men and women live and die by the decisions of 17 or 18 year old high school football players? I am guilty of getting sucked in myself and found the night before National Signing Day to be much like Christmas Eve for a child. I couldn't sleep because I was so anxious to find out what kids were going to sign a letter of intent to play for the Vols and I actually watched a live online video feed from WR prospect Markeith Ambles at 12:30 am. It was great, he sat around and bragged about himself and talked on his cell phone while hundreds of fans from around the country were watching to see if he would give a hint as to who he would play for. I am also guilty, as many others are, of becoming friends with these guys on facebook to get any extra information that might give me an idea if the kids would play for the Vols. Markeith chose USC so many Vol fans have removed him from their friend list and are no longer following him on Twitter. I can't even imagine what it is like to be these athletes who are already celebrities at age 17. I just hope that these kids don't let the hype go to their head and put in the necessary work to be successful in college as an athlete and student.
On to Hoops
I was lucky enough to get some great seats to the UT/Vandy game last night and showed up at Memorial Gymnasium ready for a Tennessee victory. Obviously the Vols basketball team forgot that they actually had to put forth a decent effort to beat the 'Dores. My hat is off to Vanderbilt but this is the same Tennessee team that beat #1 ranked Kansas earlier in the season. I really like Bruce Pearl but sometimes the motivation and inspiration he brings is not enough to beat teams that are fundamentally sound and execute on both ends of the court. I am not going to get too low with this loss but I hope the Vols can finish the season strong and make a good showing in the NCAA Tourney. Key stat from the game last night: Vanderbilt shot 37 for 43 from the free throw line and Tennessee was 13 for 21. Just a small discrepancy in free throw attempts...I'm Just sayin'.
Personal Notes
My son Cooper just turned two months old and he recently began to smile at his mother and me. I think he will be ready to attend the Manning Passing Camp in the near future.
I am staying busy with work and the Jeter Law Firm is well on its way to being the next Cochran Law Firm. I am working on personal injury, workers' compensation, criminal and domestic cases and am enjoying being an advocate for those who need legal assistance. I still have aspirations of becoming a sports agent and we will see where that dream takes me.
My sister Elizabeth and her husband Rusty have decided to adopt two young children from Rwanda and had a very successful fundraiser on Monday night at Jim and Nick's in Murfreesboro. We are excited to meet the new additions to our family.
I think the only thing left to say is Go Vols and I'll hang up and listen to your comments.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
Moving Forward, Hopefully
As the shock of the recent events on the Hill have worn off, Vol fans are scratching their heads at the fact that no one wants to coach in Knoxville. Will Muschamp and Troy Calhoun have turned us down and they are the only names that have been released to the public. It appears that Mike Hamilton will be forced to settle and hire former Vols offensive coordinator and current Duke head coach David Cutcliffe. Sorry Mike but you are immediately on the chopping block if and when this happens. You waited too long to make a change with Fulmer and you took a huge risk by hiring the California Kid. Granted, if the Kid was still here today your job would be safe as long as the mercenary staff did not get our University on probation with the NCAA. However, the chips fell where they did, Carroll went to the Seahawks and the Cali Kid bailed on the Vols and took his staff and likely the recruits with him. That hire is on your shoulders Hamilton and the fact that he bolted after one year is on you.
Although Cutcliffe is a great guy and good coach, we just fired Phil Fulmer because he had lost the fire and ability to keep our program at the top of the college football landscape. Cutcliffe is a Phil Fulmer clone. He is old fashioned, overly loyal to his staff and a couple generations removed from the current college athlete. He was fired at Ole Miss and has won 9 games in the last 2 seasons at Duke. Granted, Duke is a tough place to win but the ACC is not the SEC and the schedule at Tennessee is much harder than Duke's. Why in the world do we fire Fulmer to hire Cutcliffe one year later? It just does not make good sense.
I know that Hamilton is in a tough spot since the Cali Kid left us high and dry but that is why he is paid the big bucks and Hamilton knew that the Kid would head back to California the first chance he got. It is time for Hamilton to earn that paycheck and get a coach that will continue to bring the Vols back to national prominence I, for one, do not think that David Cutcliffe is that coach.
Coming soon: Top 5 reasons why coaches don't want to come to Tennessee.
Although Cutcliffe is a great guy and good coach, we just fired Phil Fulmer because he had lost the fire and ability to keep our program at the top of the college football landscape. Cutcliffe is a Phil Fulmer clone. He is old fashioned, overly loyal to his staff and a couple generations removed from the current college athlete. He was fired at Ole Miss and has won 9 games in the last 2 seasons at Duke. Granted, Duke is a tough place to win but the ACC is not the SEC and the schedule at Tennessee is much harder than Duke's. Why in the world do we fire Fulmer to hire Cutcliffe one year later? It just does not make good sense.
I know that Hamilton is in a tough spot since the Cali Kid left us high and dry but that is why he is paid the big bucks and Hamilton knew that the Kid would head back to California the first chance he got. It is time for Hamilton to earn that paycheck and get a coach that will continue to bring the Vols back to national prominence I, for one, do not think that David Cutcliffe is that coach.
Coming soon: Top 5 reasons why coaches don't want to come to Tennessee.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Good Riddance Kiffin.
That sound you heard tonight in East Tennessee was not an explosion at the nuclear plant in Oak Ridge, it was the collective roar of expletives from the Vol Nation. Lane Kiffin decided to take his circus to USC after only one season in Knoxville and the Vol fans are not happy.
Mike Hamilton decided to hire the brash young Kiffin after the Phillip Fulmer regime had lost it's luster. Many Vol fans were not too excited about the hire but 95% of the Vol Nation got behind Lane and his staff. Volunteer fans were the brunt of jokes from the whole country because Lane ran his mouth too much but the fans stood behind him. There was an excitement around Knoxville that had not been here in years. We bought into what Lane was selling and he left us standing at the alter dazed an confused.
Lane, you are no longer welcome in Tennessee and you have a lot to learn about being a man. I know it was time for Fulmer to step aside from coaching our program but he could teach Lane a thing or two about loyalty, honor and respect. Monte Kifffin should be ashamed of his son for his actions but Monte is too busy packing his bag as well. I guess some coaches make lousy fathers and forget to teach their kids about the important things in life.
Tennessee football has taken a huge step backward tonight but understand this, Tennessee football has been around much longer than any coach and we are bigger than any individual. Our program will be back and our fan base needs to come together and support whoever is our next coach.
Mike Hamilton, you need to make the RIGHT hire and get us a coach who will not turn his back on us. If you don't, you will no longer be the AD at the University of Tennessee. I feel awful for the players, fans and those who make a living selling tickets for the University. You guys just had your legs cut out from under you.
Lane will likely be successful at USC but he is no longer welcome here and I hope he leaves tonight. This just goes to show how crazy college athletics is today. More to come from in the next few days.
Mike Hamilton decided to hire the brash young Kiffin after the Phillip Fulmer regime had lost it's luster. Many Vol fans were not too excited about the hire but 95% of the Vol Nation got behind Lane and his staff. Volunteer fans were the brunt of jokes from the whole country because Lane ran his mouth too much but the fans stood behind him. There was an excitement around Knoxville that had not been here in years. We bought into what Lane was selling and he left us standing at the alter dazed an confused.
Lane, you are no longer welcome in Tennessee and you have a lot to learn about being a man. I know it was time for Fulmer to step aside from coaching our program but he could teach Lane a thing or two about loyalty, honor and respect. Monte Kifffin should be ashamed of his son for his actions but Monte is too busy packing his bag as well. I guess some coaches make lousy fathers and forget to teach their kids about the important things in life.
Tennessee football has taken a huge step backward tonight but understand this, Tennessee football has been around much longer than any coach and we are bigger than any individual. Our program will be back and our fan base needs to come together and support whoever is our next coach.
Mike Hamilton, you need to make the RIGHT hire and get us a coach who will not turn his back on us. If you don't, you will no longer be the AD at the University of Tennessee. I feel awful for the players, fans and those who make a living selling tickets for the University. You guys just had your legs cut out from under you.
Lane will likely be successful at USC but he is no longer welcome here and I hope he leaves tonight. This just goes to show how crazy college athletics is today. More to come from in the next few days.
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