ESPN: Vols QB has been suspended for his…

You’ve got Tennessee Titans coaching search questions, I’ve got Titans coaching search favorites. You’ve also got questions about the Nashville Predators, Vanderbilt football, baseball and burgers in Nashville, and the coach of the most disappointing team in the state, Vanderbilt men’s basketball.

The Jerry Stackhouse questions are going to persist until the season ends and we find out if five seasons with no NCAA Tournament bids are enough to inspire a change. Sadly, there are no questions about the most pleasant surprise in the state, Vanderbilt women’s basketball — but let me tell you, Shea Ralph in her third season is validating Vandy AD Candice Lee’s decision to hire her. That’s a fun team that I believe will earn the program’s first NCAA bid in a decade.

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But let’s start with the team with the best shot at bringing a major championship to the state in 2024. No, it’s not Vanderbilt or Tennessee baseball. Usually, the list automatically starts with those two. Not today, not with what Rick Barnes has brewing in Knoxville.

Where does Rick Barnes end up on the list of all-time Vols coaches (all sports)? And how much higher does he move up if he manages to make a Final Four in the right color of orange? Sincerely, a Vols fan wanting to appreciate the good days before they are gone.

(Related side note: Zakai Zeigler has to have joined Chris Lofton and Grant Williams on my generation’s Vols basketball Mount Rushmore right?) — Andy P.

It’s a Barnes lovefest to start, and I must say, this one caught me off guard. In terms of all-time coaches, obviously, Pat Summitt and Robert Neyland are all-time American sports coaches. Regardless of sport. I’d go beyond that and call Summitt one of the most important figures in American sports history. After that, you’re probably talking Phillip Fulmer and then we can argue. Barnes is the best men’s basketball coach in school history, though, and if he does reach the program’s first Final Four? Then I think a lot more UT fans will start to look at things Andy’s way.

He’s sure right about appreciating the good days when they’re happening. As for the modern Rushmore, Zeigler will have a claim when he’s done. Can we go back to Allan Houston? If that’s going back too far, at this very moment I would say Lofton, Williams, Admiral Schofield and Wayne Chism, who was central in UT’s lone Elite Eight team. Zeigler can take a spot. Shoot, can Dalton Knecht take a spot based on one outrageous season?

Put one former Vol from the Rick Barnes era NOT named Grant Williams on this year’s team that makes this a Final Four team. — Shane M.

Kennedy Chandler. Jordan Bone, honorable mention. Another point guard who can get into the lane at will, to take some pressure off Zeigler. Other than that, Tennessee has all you need. Enough shooting, enough size, enough defense, enough experience, enough toughness. This is Barnes’ best team at Tennessee — his most efficient offensively since the great Williams team of 2018-19, with dramatically better defensive numbers than that one had.

Dalton Knecht reacts after a 3-pointer Tuesday against Florida. (Randy Sartin / USA Today)
Can Knecht keep up this offensive output all season and into the SEC and NCAA tourneys? Can he get better? Assuming Knecht maintains, can he carry the Vols to a Final Four? Also, what’s up with Santiago Vescovi and Josiah James? Are they deferring to Knecht or slumping? Will the Vols need them to make a Final Four run? — Brian G.

To answer the first question, no. That is, if you mean his output of the past three games — 39 in Tuesday’s drubbing of Florida, following up 36 to save the Vols at Georgia, following up 28 in a loss at Mississippi State. He’s going all lottery pick on the SEC, after a five-game stretch in which he totaled just 38 points. He’s averaging 18.5 points per game, and the Vols are going to need him in that range or beyond in the biggest games. He’s the obvious key to a Final Four run because he can get a bucket anywhere on the floor to limit the droughts that have killed recent UT teams in March.

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As for the two super seniors you mention, yes, the Vols will need them. They’ll have better scoring games and stretches. But I buy what Barnes said after the Florida game. They just want to win. If on a particular night — that night being the best example — the key to winning is getting it to Knecht every time and letting him combust, great. They’re happy to do it. And if James is having an off night all around and Barnes puts Jahmai Mashack in his place for defense in winning time, as he did at Georgia, that’s the versatility this team has. James has the selflessness to cheer on Mashack and celebrate the win. Don’t underrate that.

I’m hoping for Bobby Slowik or Brian Callahan as the next head coach of the Titans. Any other candidates I should be excited for? — Tyler H.

Do you have a prediction for who will be the next Titans coach? — Rob W.

Curious about the vision Amy Adams Strunk has and Ran Carthon refused to elaborate on. There’s plenty of rumblings and rumors the team wants a more modernized offense or approach all-around. Is there any truth to that? And, if there is, why are we requesting all of these interviews with defensive coordinators? Seems to me that if Ben Johnson or Bobby Slowik is interested, they should be handed the keys — George R.

Let’s get right to it. First of all, the “modernized” talk isn’t a rumor, that’s a straight-up Titans talking point. Also, hiring a defensive coach is not forfeiting that vision. The defensive coach would, in fact, hire an offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. And I’d imagine the philosophy and approach would be similar to the scenario in which the Titans hire an OC to be their head coach.

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That said, I favor the OC approach simply because this league plunders OCs like me on Nov. 1, looking at my kids’ Halloween baskets while they’re at school, hoping they don’t care too much about Mr. Goodbar and Butterfinger. Hire the coach whose baby is the offense — who calls the plays, potentially — and if things go well he will still have to replace offensive staff often, but the severe drop in performance is less likely.

I have a football-tastic four candidates I like for this job. Slowik, who has done tremendous work in a year as the Houston Texans’ OC; Callahan, the Cincinnati Bengals OC; Detroit Lions OC Ben Johnson, who is going to be heavily pursued; and Carolina Panthers OC Thomas Brown. Don’t sleep on Brown. He’s a fast riser and Sean McVay guy who was in a terrible situation last season with the Panthers, trying to mesh that scheme with Frank Reich’s offense, working with an awful roster. The recent NFLPA survey ranked him No. 2 among offensive coordinators in terms of player approval. He’s going to be a head coach soon enough, and this is an opportunity to grab him before that becomes obvious to more people.

But my prediction is Detroit Lions defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn because, hey, that’s what “X” is rumoring today! Ask me again tomorrow.

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I know it’s early but any thoughts on free-agency targets, outside or inside the organization currently? I know he’s getting up there but I’d hate to see Denico Autry go. Feels like a big splash for a corner or two makes sense too. Maybe not as your No. 1 guy, but I like Chidobe Awuzie from Cincinnati and he’s definitely not re-signing there. — Tom H.

Surely the Titans won’t move on from DeAndre Hopkins, right? — David R.

It will be easier to guess on some things like this after the Titans have a coach, but I don’t see a scenario in which the Titans don’t want Hopkins to play out the second year of his contract. It will be important to give Will Levis the best possible coaching and adequate protection, but he sure as heck needs Hopkins next season as well. And I agree on Autry, but a new regime is incoming and he’s getting up there, so that’s harder to predict. Corners and receivers in free agency, offensive linemen (and maybe corners and receivers as well) in the draft. That’s how I look at it.

Early on, Barry Trotz endorsed Juuse Saros as his goalie of the future, even saying he hoped to extend him long-term. With Saros’ miserably inconsistent season to date, do you think he’s changed his mind? It sure seems like the more times he plays and is off his game, he’s only further reducing his value. — Rick C.

Great question. To me, that’s the question when it comes to the future of this franchise. Saros has dipped dramatically this season. All the numbers tell that story. And Yaroslav Askarov is looking more and more like a future monster in goal. I’ve always believed you have to move one of them, even if the return isn’t optimal. I think the rest of this season is going to be critical in this regard. As of October, when Trotz told me he was resolved to extend Saros, I assumed Askarov would be the one eventually moved. It all feels tenuous now.

You are the GM of the Preds. What do you do at the trade deadline? — Stan S.

What do the Predators do at the trade deadline? Do they sell a piece like Tyson Barrie, Alex Carrier or Dante Fabbro? Or do they look for an upgrade somewhere? — Rachel K.

I don’t do much. I keep my phone on and my ears open, and obviously, I’m looking to unload Barrie. Maybe Fabbro as well. At no point do I consider myself a buyer. If this team makes the playoffs, great. There’s a bigger picture at work.

Is it time for the Preds to move on from Cody Glass? — Van W.

Is Philip Tomasino finally turning the corner? — Patrick C.

Sorry, but I’m not willing to greet either question affirmatively. It’s been a rough go for Glass after promising steps forward last season, no doubt. And Tomasino and other young guys have picked it up lately. But I need at least the rest of this season to see how it goes.

What’s your honest assessment of the Preds’ long-term goals. Adding Ryan O’Reilly and Gus Nyquist has been good, but the young guys outside of Luke Evangelista have been really disappointing. Tomasino doesn’t seem like a middle-six guy. Juuso Parssinen has been underwhelming and it may be time to move off Glass. Joakim Kemmell seems to have some promise, but outside of that it’s just more of the same. Do you think they’ll actually use the cap space they have this offseason on a difference-maker? — Jeff D.

I know I can count on Jeff for a Preds-related mailbag lamentation. One correction I would make, Matthew Wood is another forward prospect who should be taken seriously, like Kemmell. But you’re right, I thought we’d see quite a bit more from Parssinen and Glass this season. Do I think Barry Trotz will go wild with the cap space this summer? Not indiscriminately. But I suspect a big move of some sort to push this forward. It’s a bit early to get too excited — or down, Jeff! — about where this is going.

If the Preds make the playoffs, do you think they get past the first round? — R Z.

Wait, you’re asking me if this hypothetical Preds playoff team can hypothetically advance? You think too much of my soothsaying. But I do feel good about this: There will be a penalty kill with about four minutes left in the second period of Game 3 that will be critical to the outcome of the series. Remember that sentence. And remember this prediction I have for you: You will rekindle a relationship, and have great success with a new business venture!

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How much longer will Vanderbilt be getting those SEC checks before they’re forced to leave the SEC or college football evolves to a super conference? That’s been a good financial deal for Vanderbilt over the years. — William R.

This again? I wrote about how a Vanderbilt relegation would actually look in the future. Also, to be fair to Vanderbilt, decades of non-investment have been replaced by a couple of years of significant investment. We will see if football winning follows, but the school is supporting athletics now. That may seem bizarre to many who have followed Vanderbilt athletics for a long time, but it’s true.

What is your opinion of the changes to the Vanderbilt football staff? It appears that they are becoming New Mexico State East with all the coaches that were there and are now at Vanderbilt. Is that a good thing, or not? — Steve V.

Jerry Kill, in particular, is a fascinating addition and I want to learn more about how he will help Clark Lea. But I think the bigger story right now is the recent losses — Wisconsin luring away offensive line coach AJ Blazek and Penn State grabbing special teams coach/associate head coach Justin Lustig. I realize the offensive line struggled last season, but those are both big hits to the staff. Retaining talent isn’t just a player challenge for Lea, and the Big Ten sure seems to like his staff. Michigan grabbed Jesse Minter after one season and he has a national championship ring in the mail.

Jerry Stackhouse is nearing five seasons with no NCAA Tournament bids at Vanderbilt. (Stephen Lew / USA Today)
What’s the prognosis for Jerry Stackhouse returning next season? His comment about Ole Miss’ success and the struggle of bringing transfers to Vandy came across as sour grapes and, frankly, sounded like he is expecting to get canned. — Clay G.

What do you make of Stackhouse? Specifically, why does Vandy do so badly in non-conference games against cupcakes and then become more competitive (though not victorious) as conference play begins? And his weird remark about Ole Miss buying players — is he saying Vandy can’t compete in the NIL environment? If so, shouldn’t he be fired? — Ames D.

The Ole Miss comments don’t help him. Certainly, it’s tougher for Vanderbilt to get transfers in than other schools. But NIL helped Stackhouse retain key parts of his roster this season, and at this point, all excuses have grown tired. This team has an injury excuse, but his entire tenure doesn’t. It hasn’t been good enough, period. As for the early struggles/conference surge question, Ames, I think his offense has a lot to do with that. It takes time for college players to execute it. When they do, it’s tough to defend. Stackhouse is a good basketball coach. But five seasons with no NCAA Tournament bids at Vanderbilt — at any Power 5 school — is unacceptable. He’s only getting there this year by winning the SEC Tournament.

Do you think Nashville is ready to support an MLB Team? Thanks, I’ll hang up and listen. — Ursula D.

Beyond the questions of ownership, money and stadium location, that’s a very good one. I’m not sure. Nashville was much smaller when it proved willing and able to support the Tennessee Titans. But there’s a big difference between eight football games and 81 baseball games. Also, I think there’s deeper baseball fandom here now than the NFL fandom that existed back then — the Atlanta Braves, in particular, have a presence thanks to more than three decades of mostly excellence. So back to location, I think that’s key. You’ve got to provide entertainment around a baseball stadium in a city loaded with transplants.

Palate cleanser, your top burgers in Nashville. — Andy R.

I could go on and on about this topic, Andy, because last summer my oldest and I went on a “best burger in Nashville” quest before he went off to college. I will keep it to our winners. His No. 1 was the “404 burger” at 404 Kitchen in The Gulch, which I first heard about in a review from my buddy Steve Cavendish and which features truffle mushrooms, bacon and dijonaise. It’s ridiculous. But my No. 1 is a simpler creation, just the straight-up cheeseburger at Dino’s in East Nashville. An amazing dive bar with a burger that is elevated by its seasoning recipe. It’s quite reminiscent of the cheeseburger at Crunchy’s in East Lansing.

I’ve got like 20 other burgers around here I’d love to tell you about, but we’re out of time and I’m thinking my next quest should be “best low-butter/low-starch veggie sides in Nashville.”