Will Friend - OL coach

[UKfan215]

With Harsin being canned at Auburn, we should back up a Brinks truck to Friend's house and bring him aboard to replace Yenser if at all possible. Will Friend has always had good O-Lines, at Georgia, Tennessee, and elsewhere. The OL he puts on the field are known for being both physically and mentally tough. We need plenty of both. I don't know if is he is an Eric Wolford caliber recruiter, but I'm sure he can at least coach. I don't see Yenser burning up the recruiting trail either.

Whoever the new Auburn coach is may wish to retain Friend. But we should be ready and waiting to pounce. I think he would be a tremendous upgrade that could help our OL get back to being The Big Blue Wall.

 

[K_TIME]

With Harsin being canned at Auburn, we should back up a Brinks truck to Friend's house and bring him aboard to replace Yenser if at all possible. Will Friend has always had good O-Lines, at Georgia, Tennessee, and elsewhere. The OL he puts on the field are known for being both physically and mentally tough. We need plenty of both. I don't know if is he is an Eric Wolford caliber recruiter, but I'm sure he can at least coach. I don't see Yenser burning up the recruiting trail either.

Whoever the new Auburn coach is may wish to retain Friend. But we should be ready and waiting to pounce. I think he would be a tremendous upgrade that could help our OL get back to being The Big Blue Wall.

Agreed....no reason we should be out bid for an assistant and one we truly need.

1. Auburn has to buy out Gus and now Harsin.
2. UK has lost assistants and replaced them with low key guys (and cost guys ) in Yenser, Stoops brother, Collins, Buffano, Scangerello, Anwar Stewart, etc... Outside of White, Marrow....who else are we paying a ton to? We need to increase the pay for assistants and go get some offensive coaching talent. Stoops is at the mercy on that side of the ball to his assistants....pony up to keep up.

 

[sluggercatfan]

NO!!! That side of the ball is at the mercy of Stoops. Fixed it for you because that surely was a misprint.

 

[Tnvol77]

Tn fan here. Not many vols liked friend as an online coach. We struggled to run the ball big time. Weren’t great on pass protection either. May have just been a talent issue but he was generally not thought of well as a coach and the consensus was he only got the job and kept it because he was right with pruitt. Don’t shoot the messenger lol

 

[cathouse]

Tn fan here. Not many vols liked friend as an online coach. We struggled to run the ball big time. Weren’t great on pass protection either. May have just been a talent issue but he was generally not thought of well as a coach and the consensus was he only got the job and kept it because he was right with pruitt. Don’t shoot the messenger lol

I agree. UT had the worst o line play under Friend as far back as I can remember watching Vols football. At least 40 years.

He was a poor recruiter and a bad coach imo.

 

[Tnvol77]

I agree. UT had the worst o line play under Friend as far back as I can remember watching Vols football. At least 40 years.

He was a poor recruiter and a bad coach imo.

That was my opinion too and it was the general feeling on vol fan boards from what I read. We struggled to run at all. He’s one of the McDonald bag men too. Under a dark cloud. I’d stay away from him. Seems like he and pruitt were college roommates or something like that if I remember right but I could be wrong on that. I try to forget everything I can about that whole miserable coaching staff. Nothing but bad came from that entire experiment.

 

[Freetaxreturn]

Tn fan here. Not many vols liked friend as an online coach. We struggled to run the ball big time. Weren’t great on pass protection either. May have just been a talent issue but he was generally not thought of well as a coach and the consensus was he only got the job and kept it because he was right with pruitt. Don’t shoot the messenger lol

Thought he did a great job with what he had to work with until they cleaned the house. Just my two cents 🍺

 

[Cefiro]

Agreed....no reason we should be out bid for an assistant and one we truly need.

1. Auburn has to buy out Gus and now Harsin.
2. UK has lost assistants and replaced them with low key guys (and cost guys ) in Yenser, Stoops brother, Collins, Buffano, Scangerello, Anwar Stewart, etc... Outside of White, Marrow....who else are we paying a ton to? We need to increase the pay for assistants and go get some offensive coaching talent. Stoops is at the mercy on that side of the ball to his assistants....pony up to keep up.

We’re paying Scang close to a million a year ($750k with a raise next year). Hard to believe…..I know!

 

[Tnvol77]

Thought he did a great job with what he had to work with until they cleaned the house. Just my two cents 🍺

Felt like we really struggled in any obvious running situation. It got to the point I wanted to see a 3rd and 7 instead of 3rd and 2 and a probable run because I already felt we wouldn’t get it with the defense knowing it was coming. Now was that subpar talent or coaching? I can tell you friend was drawing a lot of criticism on our boards

 

[Pickle_Rick]

Felt like we really struggled in any obvious running situation. It got to the point I wanted to see a 3rd and 7 instead of 3rd and 2 and a probable run because I already felt we wouldn’t get it with the defense knowing it was coming. Now was that subpar talent or coaching? I can tell you friend was drawing a lot of criticism on our boards

Almost as bad as running Crod on first down, bubble screen on second down, then a long developing route for third down.

 

[Tnvol77]

Almost as bad as running Crod on first down, bubble screen on second down, then a long developing route for third down.

Yep. I feel your pain. Zero creativity makes for really crappy football watching and when you already know it’s not gonna work it’s unbearable.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

With Harsin being canned at Auburn, we should back up a Brinks truck to Friend's house and bring him aboard to replace Yenser if at all possible. Will Friend has always had good O-Lines, at Georgia, Tennessee, and elsewhere. The OL he puts on the field are known for being both physically and mentally tough. We need plenty of both. I don't know if is he is an Eric Wolford caliber recruiter, but I'm sure he can at least coach. I don't see Yenser burning up the recruiting trail either.

Whoever the new Auburn coach is may wish to retain Friend. But we should be ready and waiting to pounce. I think he would be a tremendous upgrade that could help our OL get back to being The Big Blue Wall.

Hire away, but he was awful at UGA, left with BoBo to Colorado St. to avoid being fired, was fired at Colorado St. Pruitt was his best man, ended being fired at UT or got out and left Pruitt holding the bag, left South Carolina without ever coaching a game and is about to be fired from AU. He was an awful recruiter, signed multiple 260-70 lb guys for OL.when Kirby took over we had zero OT on the roster.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

That was my opinion too and it was the general feeling on vol fan boards from what I read. We struggled to run at all. He’s one of the McDonald bag men too. Under a dark cloud. I’d stay away from him. Seems like he and pruitt were college roommates or something like that if I remember right but I could be wrong on that. I try to forget everything I can about that whole miserable coaching staff. Nothing but bad came from that entire experiment.

They were roommates at Bama. One of them was the other's best man. He was a terrible recruiter and developer, I am surprised he has enough connections to still get a job.

 

[Tnvol77]

They were roommates at Bama. One of them was the other's best man. He was a terrible recruiter and developer, I am surprised he has enough connections to still get a job.

Me too. Recruiting was bad. Line never opened holes and was heavily rumored he was deep in the paying recruits. Was one of the worst reputations overall from pruitts staff and that’s saying something.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Me too. Recruiting was bad. Line never opened holes and was heavily rumored he was deep in the paying recruits. Was one of the worst reputations overall from pruitts staff and that’s saying something.

Don't think he was buying recruits in Athens, we were missing on every OL, plus he was there under Richt who I don't think would have allowed it. Not real sure how him and Bobo managed to get so close, golfing/drinking buddies I guess. When Kirby was hired, he hated Pruitt and cut him loose pretty quick. The rumor of him showing up at Richt's house drunk and causing a disturbance and was about to physically attach Richt at practice were true, Thomas Brown stepped in and stopped that. Pretty despicable person. CMR one of the best men in college football having to deal with Pruitt, one of the worse.

 

[Tnvol77]

Don't think he was buying recruits in Athens, we were missing on every OL, plus he was there under Richt who I don't think would have allowed it. Not real sure how him and Bobo managed to get so close, golfing/drinking buddies I guess. When Kirby was hired, he hated Pruitt and cut him loose pretty quick. The rumor of him showing up at Richt's house drunk and causing a disturbance and was about to physically attach Richt at practice were true, Thomas Brown stepped in and stopped that. Pretty despicable person. CMR one of the best men in college football having to deal with Pruitt, one of the worse.

I have heard all of those rumors and don’t doubt any of them one bit at all. I have a lot of respect for Richt. Really good coach and even better human. I sure don’t think Kentucky would be happy with will friends line though

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I have heard all of those rumors and don’t doubt any of them one bit at all. I have a lot of respect for Richt. Really good coach and even better human. I sure don’t think Kentucky would be happy with will friends line though

Feel the same, but UK isn't happy with current OL coach, so who knows. Wouldn't shock me to see Saban throw Pruitt a lifeline. Not sure anyone is happy with current DC.

 

[Tnvol77]

Feel the same, but UK isn't happy with current OL coach, so who knows. Wouldn't shock me to see Saban throw Pruitt a lifeline. Not sure anyone is happy with current DC.

Wouldn’t shock me totally either. The only question I have about pruitt back in the sec is if sankey has warned teams about hiring him with him being so guilty of paying players. Sankey supposedly warned sec schools about hiring freeze and no one has touched him from the sec since (we will see if auburn goes that route). There’s also a high potential that pruitt gets a show cause from the ncaa on coaching. I think he may just have to wait a few years to get back to coaching college again. He would be a fabulous hire as a DC again for Saban. He was really really good at that and much better than Golding is. He was just horrible as head coach. DC is what his ceiling is I think. I know Kentucky hates their o line coach and OC and I agree with them it’s not good and needs an overhaul because there’s way too much talent in that group to not be more explosive and productive than what they have been recently but I wonder if a lot of this isn’t directed and controlled by stoops telling his OC’s exactly what he wants and refusing to be flexible at all. I am sure he’s the one wanting ball control pro style but sometimes you have to work with what you have available. I think he needs a much less hands on approach and stuck to the d which he is good at. The only thing is be careful who you fire and hire because it can get a whole lot worse and does lots of times.

 

[backinky2018]

With Harsin being canned at Auburn, we should back up a Brinks truck to Friend's house and bring him aboard to replace Yenser if at all possible. Will Friend has always had good O-Lines, at Georgia, Tennessee, and elsewhere. The OL he puts on the field are known for being both physically and mentally tough. We need plenty of both. I don't know if is he is an Eric Wolford caliber recruiter, but I'm sure he can at least coach. I don't see Yenser burning up the recruiting trail either.

Whoever the new Auburn coach is may wish to retain Friend. But we should be ready and waiting to pounce. I think he would be a tremendous upgrade that could help our OL get back to being The Big Blue Wall.

uh, no. Will friend was the butt of UT jokes for YEARS when he was coaching as an assistant at UT. His o lines were HORRIBLE. They were always saying that the only reason he kept his job was b/c he was a friend of Pruitt. This would be a terrible hire.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Wouldn’t shock me totally either. The only question I have about pruitt back in the sec is if sankey has warned teams about hiring him with him being so guilty of paying players. Sankey supposedly warned sec schools about hiring freeze and no one has touched him from the sec since (we will see if auburn goes that route). There’s also a high potential that pruitt gets a show cause from the ncaa on coaching. I think he may just have to wait a few years to get back to coaching college again. He would be a fabulous hire as a DC again for Saban. He was really really good at that and much better than Golding is. He was just horrible as head coach. DC is what his ceiling is I think. I know Kentucky hates their o line coach and OC and I agree with them it’s not good and needs an overhaul because there’s way too much talent in that group to not be more explosive and productive than what they have been recently but I wonder if a lot of this isn’t directed and controlled by stoops telling his OC’s exactly what he wants and refusing to be flexible at all. I am sure he’s the one wanting ball control pro style but sometimes you have to work with what you have available. I think he needs a much less hands on approach and stuck to the d which he is good at. The only thing is be careful who you fire and hire because it can get a whole lot worse and does lots of times.

Well AU did hire Pearl while under a show cause deal, the SEC office is in Alabama, the wouldn't tell Bama no because of off the chart Bama fans who will do anything. Surprisingly Freeze is number 3 on the Bunker's list behind Lane and Dan Lanning. They are starting to lean towards Lanning because for some reason they think he can get UGA's entire staff, less Kirby, to follow him to AU.

 

[mrschwump]

Well AU did hire Pearl while under a show cause deal, the SEC office is in Alabama, the wouldn't tell Bama no because of off the chart Bama fans who will do anything. Surprisingly Freeze is number 3 on the Bunker's list behind Lane and Dan Lanning. They are starting to lean towards Lanning because for some reason they think he can get UGA's entire staff, less Kirby, to follow him to AU.

Re Lanning, not surprising at all Auburn would want him....is surprising we haven't heard his name from the get-go.

As for Will Friend, not only no but HELL NO!

 

[23jumpboy]

I think Mike Summers should get a call. I'm not sure where he is now but had some strong offensive lines under Joker when Joker ran the pro set with all the talent in 06, 07, and 2010. Worth a phone call.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

Re Lanning, not surprising at all Auburn would want him....is surprising we haven't heard his name from the get-go.

As for Will Friend, not only no but HELL NO!

That would be my response to Friend too, but one man's junk is another's treasure.

 

[GermantownDawg]

You do not want Will Friend.

 

[seccats04]

You do not want Will Friend.

I would rather have Bozo The Clown than the guy we have now. I can’t recall a worse OL at UK. Almost every time we go to pass the QB has no time and many times our OL don’t even get a hand on the defender.

 

[GermantownDawg]

I would rather have Bozo The Clown than the guy we have now. I can’t recall a worse OL at UK. Almost every time we go to pass the QB has no time and many times our OL don’t even get a hand on the defender.

You do not want Will Friend.

 

[Grumpyolddawg]

I would rather have Bozo The Clown than the guy we have now. I can’t recall a worse OL at UK. Almost every time we go to pass the QB has no time and many times our OL don’t even get a hand on the defender.

Bozo and Friend are one in the same. He couldn't get hired at a major HS in GA. Coaching fraternity takes care of their own.

 

[JC CATS]

With Harsin being canned at Auburn, we should back up a Brinks truck to Friend's house and bring him aboard to replace Yenser if at all possible. Will Friend has always had good O-Lines, at Georgia, Tennessee, and elsewhere. The OL he puts on the field are known for being both physically and mentally tough. We need plenty of both. I don't know if is he is an Eric Wolford caliber recruiter, but I'm sure he can at least coach. I don't see Yenser burning up the recruiting trail either.

Whoever the new Auburn coach is may wish to retain Friend. But we should be ready and waiting to pounce. I think he would be a tremendous upgrade that could help our OL get back to being The Big Blue Wall.

Yeah, I know he hasn't been here long, but I'm not impressed with Yenser

 

[White Wolf]

I would agree with what others said. You don't want Friend...at all.

 

[Soupbean]

Almost as bad as running Crod on first down, bubble screen on second down, then a long developing route for third down.

Dead on. Predictable and frustrating