After a few embarrassing seasons and a paltry one player drafted by the NFL this year, the University of Tennessee is in serious need of a good season. Many are speculating about the Vols’ upcoming performance next year, and the analysis keeps getting more complicated. 

After Lane Kiffin took over, Vols fans were divided. Loyalists believed that Fulmer should have been given more time, but those fans who expect Tennessee to be a leader in the SEC and college football were ready for a change to put them back in the spotlight.

Since then, Kiffin has caused a lot of controversy in the media: breaking NCAA rules, making perhaps overly-confident promises (such as beating FL next season), and generally making some questionable decisions on the field.

One such decision has been causing quite a bit of controversy the past few weeks—the decision to start Crompton as the quarterback. 

At best, Crompton has been unreliable. There is no doubt that he has a cannon for an arm, but his ability to analyze the field and adjust his play is severely lacking. In practice, he looks great; in a game, he often chokes. 

Nick Stephens seems slightly better but after being pulled from the South Carolina game after his first interception of the season, he may have lost confidence. His play is still shaky, but most feel as if he is the better of the two.

Where does that leave up-and-comer and Tennessee native BJ Coleman?

Apparently, on another team.

Coleman, who felt like he was not given the preseason attention he deserved, assumed, probably rightly so, that once the decision was made to go with Crompton he would see very little play time. So, he’s leaving.

Speculation abounds over where he will go, but one thing is for sure—fans are upset. 

Many believed that Coleman was going to solve Tennessee’s QB problem, and most loved the fact that he was a native who had dreamed of playing for the Vols. Some fans are concerned that the lack of communication with Coleman from Kiffin is another bad sign from the new head coach.

Those looking at the big picture argue that this may be good for recruiting. With Crompton in his final year and Coleman no longer waiting in the wings, Tennessee may be in a better position to recruit top quarterbacks next season.

The problem with this argument is that Vols fans are ready for a change. SEC teams are notoriously impatient and these schools hate losing. They fired their beloved coach of 17 years, Phil Fulmer, one year after he lead them to an SEC championship game.

They don’t like to look to the future; they want results now. If Kiffin doesn’t produce, he’s going to hate life in Knoxville.

Good luck Kiffin—you’ll need it!