Championships don’t come around that often. Tennessee fans know that as well as anyone.That’s why UT's baseball national title this past summer meant so much.But if you focus too much on championships, you can’t fully appreciate all the winning that can lead up to a title — or perhaps fall just short.Tennessee’s most popular teams have claimed only one national title in the past seven months. However, they’re winning at an amazing rate.I thought about UT’s recent success when the Vols and Lady Vols basketball teams got off to a fast start this season.You expect coach Rick Barnes’ teams to win far more often than they lose, and they advanced all the way to the Elite Eight before losing in the NCAA Tournament in March. The Lady Vols have fared better than expected under first-year coach Kim Caldwell.That prompted me to check win-loss records.UT baseball finished its championship season 60-13. Lady Vols softball was 44-12.Tennessee’s football team finished the regular season 10-3 after losing to Ohio State in the first round of the College Football Playoff.The No. 1-ranked Vols basketball team is 12-0 as of Dec. 25. So are the Lady Vols.When you add up the numbers for those five teams, you get a phenomenal 138-28 record. That record gives fans reason to be optimistic about what’s to come.I’m not suggesting a plus-.800 winning percentage will become the norm. But sustained success is likely, because there’s nothing fluky about what’s happening.Tennessee has great leadership, from university president Randy Boyd to chancellor Donde Plowman to athletic director Danny White. It also has good coaches in place. And it has been competitive in the NIL market. That’s essential now that players can capitalize on their name, image and likeness.Even without NIL inducements, Tennessee recruited well in football. Never mind whether the program was winning or losing or whether the leadership was lacking: The Vols could sign a top-25 or better class.And look what just happened in women’s basketball. Caldwell signed the No. 2 class for 2025.Her coaching stops consisted of one season at Marshall and seven at Glenville State. No matter how much she won at those schools — and she won a lot — that doesn’t make you a household name.Lack of name recognition obviously didn’t negatively affect her recruiting. If she could recruit that well in her first year, imagine how well she might do long term.ADAMS:My New Year's predictions for 2025 include Taylor Swift, Tony Vitello, Jake PaulThe Tennessee men’s team already has proven itself long term under coach Rick Barnes. From 2021-22 through last season, the Vols averaged 26.3 wins per season. They reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in March for their best postseason finish of the Barnes era. And his current team might be his best yet at Tennessee.Up next are baseball and softball: Both have been ranked in the top 10 in preseason polls.The seasons change. But Tennessee keeps winning.John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 orjohn.adams@knoxnews.co. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.

Few fan bases can celebrate recent success the way Tennessee can. Numbers don't lie

Championships don’t come around that often. Tennessee fans know that as well as anyone. Tennessee has great leadership, from university president Randy Boyd to chancellor Donde Plowman to athletic director Danny White. It also has good coaches in place. And it has been competitive in the NIL market. That’s essential now that players can capitalize […]

Championships don’t come around that often. Tennessee fans know that as well as anyone.

Tennessee has great leadership, from university president Randy Boyd to chancellor Donde Plowman to athletic director Danny White. It also has good coaches in place. And it has been competitive in the NIL market. That’s essential now that players can capitalize on their name, image and likeness.And look what just happened in women’s basketball. Caldwell signed the No. 2 class for 2025.I thought about UT’s recent success when the Vols and Lady Vols basketball teams got off to a fast start this season.Tennessee’s football team finished the regular season 10-3 after losing to Ohio State in the first round of the College Football Playoff.You expect coach Rick Barnes’ teams to win far more often than they lose, and they advanced all the way to the Elite Eight before losing in the NCAA Tournament in March. The Lady Vols have fared better than expected under first-year coach Kim Caldwell.When you add up the numbers for those five teams, you get a phenomenal 138-28 record. That record gives fans reason to be optimistic about what’s to come.The seasons change. But Tennessee keeps winning.That prompted me to check win-loss records.I’m not suggesting a plus-.800 winning percentage will become the norm. But sustained success is likely, because there’s nothing fluky about what’s happening.

Even without NIL inducements, Tennessee recruited well in football. Never mind whether the program was winning or losing or whether the leadership was lacking: The Vols could sign a top-25 or better class.But if you focus too much on championships, you can’t fully appreciate all the winning that can lead up to a title — or perhaps fall just short.UT baseball finished its championship season 60-13. Lady Vols softball was 44-12.

The Tennessee men’s team already has proven itself long term under coach Rick Barnes. From 2021-22 through last season, the Vols averaged 26.3 wins per season. They reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament in March for their best postseason finish of the Barnes era. And his current team might be his best yet at Tennessee.The No. 1-ranked Vols basketball team is 12-0 as of Dec. 25. So are the Lady Vols.Her coaching stops consisted of one season at Marshall and seven at Glenville State. No matter how much she won at those schools — and she won a lot — that doesn’t make you a household name.

ADAMS:My New Year’s predictions for 2025 include Taylor Swift, Tony Vitello, Jake PaulLack of name recognition obviously didn’t negatively affect her recruiting. If she could recruit that well in her first year, imagine how well she might do long term.That’s why UT’s baseball national title this past summer meant so much.Up next are baseball and softball: Both have been ranked in the top 10 in preseason polls.John Adams is a senior columnist. He may be reached at 865-342-6284 orjohn.adams@knoxnews.co. Follow him at: twitter.com/johnadamskns.Tennessee’s most popular teams have claimed only one national title in the past seven months. However, they’re winning at an amazing rate.

Few fan bases can celebrate recent success the way Tennessee can. Numbers don't lie

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