The search is on

Marvin Westwestwords

Our current crisis isn’t really about dearly departed Butch Jones. It is about Tennessee football, rich in tradition, elite for decades at a time, back in the ditch, maybe the …

Two different worlds

Marvin Westwestwords

If you listen closely, you might still hear Hank Williams strumming his guitar and pouring out his heart and soul …
“We live in two different worlds, dear; That’s why we’re …

What Butch has done

Marvin Westwestwords

Before it is all said and done …
Some of the loudest critics of Butch Jones haven’t considered what the coach has done at Tennessee.
For just $20 million or so, he …

Time to negotiate

Marvin Westwestwords

As a five-touchdown underdog, Butch’s best option is to negotiate.
Nick Saban’s football persona is that of a stone-cold killer. Critics have called him merciless. That is their explanation for 59-0 …

Vol football: Reflections and outlook

Marvin Westwestwords

Forty-two percent of the Tennessee football season is gone. One hundred percent of optimistic expectations have vanished. Saturday at 4 p.m. will be the midpoint. Self-respect is the big remaining …

Quiet, please

Marvin Westwestwords

“If you can’t say something good, keep quiet” was an early coaching point from my first teacher, my dear grandmother.
I searched and searched for something good to say about the …

The end is near

Marvin Westwestwords

The sign said “The end is near.”
The bearded man was carrying it along the sidewalk. I assumed he was a religious zealot, warning us of things to come.
My second thought …

Bits ’n pieces and what might have been

Marvin Westwestwords

What a strange place is our football world.
ESPN says Tennessee football is in free fall, that the offense is inept. Tennessee was the only team with a winning record to …