re: Where did the "God is on our side" grift come in regards to UKs coach?

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never met him but I see this as 100 percent accurate. I really want to hate Vitelli, and am pot committed to doing so, but he seems much more bearable this season

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I'm friends with a former Tenn. player (well before the TV era). He knows TV relatively well and says he likes him outside of his game approach. Basically, he is a douche and allows the players to be douches in the game because it produces results. But that's not his overwhelming personality off the field.

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guys who are hated like Bruce Pearl,

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I understand why other coaches may not like Pearl. But I have never understood the hate from the fans. He's highly passionate and will fight tooth and nail for his team. He's also passionate for the school he works for. It wasn't above him to get dressed up, paint his body, etc to support the other sports at Tenn. and Auburn. He'll also playfully interact with opposing fans who are taunting him...thus leading to those fans eventually kind of liking him at the end of the game.

Maybe it is just me, but I never really got the "fake" vibes from Pearl. I think he is just who he is and is passion can be hated by opposing fans (but loved by his own). I can respect a guy that is going to go to the mat for his team/players. I don't really respect hypocrites who will preach one thing...and do the other (see Urban Meyer)