As requested by our fearless leader @Chris_Lee who, despite taking two weeks off when we were being besieged by a killer virus and Stock Market Crash, I still faithfully follow wherever his path may lead us. Huh rah!
Some might say Chris was like a rat deserting a sinking ship. I see it more as severe social-distancing at a time when severe social-distancing may save one's life and one's family. Besides, if we're all going to die what better to do than take a two-week family vacation?
On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being least likely and 10 being most likely list the Vandy coaches you feel were using some kind of artificial, though not necessarily illegal, stimulant as he went about his job as a head coach.
Rule 1: Each rater makes their own choices. HOWEVER, you cannot rate any coach at the same level as anyone before you has done. For example, my #1 will be Roy Skinner. No one else can make Roy their #1. At best, he could be your #2. OTOH, my #2 could be your #1. And so on and so forth. You may refer to any coach of any sport that has ever been at Vanderbilt. You are limited to a total of 4 coaches but could also pick 1, 2, or 3. Or, as the case may be, zero.
Rule 2: We do not talk about Rule 1.
Rule 3: Rule 2 does not apply to Junior, just everybody else.
1. Roy Skinner, basketball, 1960-76
For those that didn't know Roy he literally had "ice water in his veins." As someone standing in the student section (the entire side of the floor on that side was packed with students, you had to stand the whole game to see anything) I often marveled as his composure during even the most stressful of games. He won over 67% of his games in his 16 year career, taking the Dores to the Elite Eight in 1965 before "losing" to Michigan by 2 points. Of course, the refs cheated and called John Ed MIller for travelling when, in reality, he was fouled by Cazzie Russell. Many years later Jeff Greene did, in fact, travel. But again, the refs didn't call that either. Wonder why? The Vanderbilt Way for Refs?
Skinner recruited the SEC's first black player, Perry Wallce. He also coached many other greats like Tommy Gun Hagen, John Ed Miller, Clyde General Lee, and Bob Snake Grace (he liked players who went by 3 names.) He also recruited and coached the F Troop + 1 (JVBK -- who later became Vandy coach 20 years later.) That team won the SEC championship. Unfortunately, your truly was in Boot Camp at the time and missed the entire season. He still curses Uncle Sam to this day but is also glad that, when he dies, his surviving whomevers will be given an American Flag that was draped over his coffin at his funeral.
2. Timothy Corbin, baseball, 2003-2019
Have you ever watched this guy in the dugout or 3rd base coaching box during a game? He is one cool, calm, collected customer. No matter the intensity of the game before him he is focused, strategizing 4 or 5 steps ahead of our opposing idiot coaches, and constantly keeping an eye on Maggie in the stands lest anyone bother her. If they do I pity the man who does so. Have you seen Tim's biceps and pecs? He could do WWE if he wanted. But, then again, who would want to make a fool of themselves night after night after night. Certainly not me. Although my wife and children would beg to differ.
In an absolute coincidence like few others, both Roy Skinner and Tim Corbin were coaches at Presbyterian. Known as the "Blue Hose" it is important for readers not to confuse them with the "Blue Hoes", a group of Smurfs kicked out by Papa Smurf for violating Community Standards and Social Norms Of Saturday Morning Cartoons. It's okay for the Roadrunner to laugh at Wile E. Coyote when an anvil hits him on the head but IT IS NOT OKAY TO VIOLATE SOCIAL NORMS IN AMERICA.
5. Bobby Johnson, football, 2002-2009
Often mistaken for Steve Martin on the streets, Bobby was a cool customer on the sidelines and never, ever put a fake arrow through his head and definitely couldn't play the banjo or tell funny jokes. He knew he was over-matched every time he took the field against an SEC team. But Bobby earned his SEC wins the old-fashioned, "He out-coached the more stupid guy across the field." For example, in 2008 he defeated nationally ranked Auburn on National TV. Across the field was Tommy Tuberville, a yam of a man if ever there was one. Tommy was so dumb he left Auburn and went to Cincinnati. That, my friends, is the height of stupidity. The only sport Cincinnati is good for is baseball. Alas, they haven't been very good for about 15 years now. Consequently, do not move to Cincinnati if you can help it. Also, the Ohio River stinks to high heaven. But the local beer is great, I'll give them that.
10. James Franklin, football, 2010-2013
Seriously, is there any way he wasn't directly pumping synthetic adrenaline into his veins all night via IV while "sleeping?" Truth be told I doubt he ever slept more than 3 hours at a time (he does however have 2 beautiful little girls.) The energy that man projected was sufficient to run a generator to light the football field on even the darkest of nights such as the night his successor, CDM, lost to Temple in his first game as head coach, ever, any where. Vanderbilt will also likely be his last time as a head coach, ever, any where.
Lest you think too highly of James, he did have his downsides. For example, one night he called me at home. I don't know how he knew it but my wife was questioning me on how much we spent attending football games. James called and said, "Tell your wife to shut up. BTW, if you ever need a job as an assistant football coach your wife meets my expectations so just give me a call."
James' nickname is "Poach" Franklin due to having poached all his good guys recruited while at Vanderbilt to follow him to a place that will forever live in infamy as an infamous place, especially the locker room showers.
Some might say Chris was like a rat deserting a sinking ship. I see it more as severe social-distancing at a time when severe social-distancing may save one's life and one's family. Besides, if we're all going to die what better to do than take a two-week family vacation?
On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being least likely and 10 being most likely list the Vandy coaches you feel were using some kind of artificial, though not necessarily illegal, stimulant as he went about his job as a head coach.
Rule 1: Each rater makes their own choices. HOWEVER, you cannot rate any coach at the same level as anyone before you has done. For example, my #1 will be Roy Skinner. No one else can make Roy their #1. At best, he could be your #2. OTOH, my #2 could be your #1. And so on and so forth. You may refer to any coach of any sport that has ever been at Vanderbilt. You are limited to a total of 4 coaches but could also pick 1, 2, or 3. Or, as the case may be, zero.
Rule 2: We do not talk about Rule 1.
Rule 3: Rule 2 does not apply to Junior, just everybody else.
1. Roy Skinner, basketball, 1960-76
For those that didn't know Roy he literally had "ice water in his veins." As someone standing in the student section (the entire side of the floor on that side was packed with students, you had to stand the whole game to see anything) I often marveled as his composure during even the most stressful of games. He won over 67% of his games in his 16 year career, taking the Dores to the Elite Eight in 1965 before "losing" to Michigan by 2 points. Of course, the refs cheated and called John Ed MIller for travelling when, in reality, he was fouled by Cazzie Russell. Many years later Jeff Greene did, in fact, travel. But again, the refs didn't call that either. Wonder why? The Vanderbilt Way for Refs?
Skinner recruited the SEC's first black player, Perry Wallce. He also coached many other greats like Tommy Gun Hagen, John Ed Miller, Clyde General Lee, and Bob Snake Grace (he liked players who went by 3 names.) He also recruited and coached the F Troop + 1 (JVBK -- who later became Vandy coach 20 years later.) That team won the SEC championship. Unfortunately, your truly was in Boot Camp at the time and missed the entire season. He still curses Uncle Sam to this day but is also glad that, when he dies, his surviving whomevers will be given an American Flag that was draped over his coffin at his funeral.
2. Timothy Corbin, baseball, 2003-2019
Have you ever watched this guy in the dugout or 3rd base coaching box during a game? He is one cool, calm, collected customer. No matter the intensity of the game before him he is focused, strategizing 4 or 5 steps ahead of our opposing idiot coaches, and constantly keeping an eye on Maggie in the stands lest anyone bother her. If they do I pity the man who does so. Have you seen Tim's biceps and pecs? He could do WWE if he wanted. But, then again, who would want to make a fool of themselves night after night after night. Certainly not me. Although my wife and children would beg to differ.
In an absolute coincidence like few others, both Roy Skinner and Tim Corbin were coaches at Presbyterian. Known as the "Blue Hose" it is important for readers not to confuse them with the "Blue Hoes", a group of Smurfs kicked out by Papa Smurf for violating Community Standards and Social Norms Of Saturday Morning Cartoons. It's okay for the Roadrunner to laugh at Wile E. Coyote when an anvil hits him on the head but IT IS NOT OKAY TO VIOLATE SOCIAL NORMS IN AMERICA.
5. Bobby Johnson, football, 2002-2009
Often mistaken for Steve Martin on the streets, Bobby was a cool customer on the sidelines and never, ever put a fake arrow through his head and definitely couldn't play the banjo or tell funny jokes. He knew he was over-matched every time he took the field against an SEC team. But Bobby earned his SEC wins the old-fashioned, "He out-coached the more stupid guy across the field." For example, in 2008 he defeated nationally ranked Auburn on National TV. Across the field was Tommy Tuberville, a yam of a man if ever there was one. Tommy was so dumb he left Auburn and went to Cincinnati. That, my friends, is the height of stupidity. The only sport Cincinnati is good for is baseball. Alas, they haven't been very good for about 15 years now. Consequently, do not move to Cincinnati if you can help it. Also, the Ohio River stinks to high heaven. But the local beer is great, I'll give them that.
10. James Franklin, football, 2010-2013
Seriously, is there any way he wasn't directly pumping synthetic adrenaline into his veins all night via IV while "sleeping?" Truth be told I doubt he ever slept more than 3 hours at a time (he does however have 2 beautiful little girls.) The energy that man projected was sufficient to run a generator to light the football field on even the darkest of nights such as the night his successor, CDM, lost to Temple in his first game as head coach, ever, any where. Vanderbilt will also likely be his last time as a head coach, ever, any where.
Lest you think too highly of James, he did have his downsides. For example, one night he called me at home. I don't know how he knew it but my wife was questioning me on how much we spent attending football games. James called and said, "Tell your wife to shut up. BTW, if you ever need a job as an assistant football coach your wife meets my expectations so just give me a call."
James' nickname is "Poach" Franklin due to having poached all his good guys recruited while at Vanderbilt to follow him to a place that will forever live in infamy as an infamous place, especially the locker room showers.
