Jameel Poteat “Hated” His Time At Cincinnati Under Tuberville

Oct 30, 2013; Memphis, TN, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats head coach Tommy Tuberville before the game against Memphis Tigers at Liberty Bowl Memorial. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports

In mid-May of this year, runningback Jameel Poteat announced he was transferring to FCS Stony Brook in New York. I was disappointed to see him go as he was one of the best runningbacks from a raw talent standpoint to come through Cincinnati. Poteat was the headline of Butch Jones’ first full recruiting class in 2011. He was a consensus four-star prospect and the highest rated runningback to ever sign with the Bearcats. Poteat looked to be in line to take over as a starter after Isaiah Pead graduated in 2011.

But that never materialized as a string of injuries impeded his development. Senior George Winn wound up replacing Pead in 2012 with Ralph David Abernathy his backup and Poteat battling with Tion Green for third on the depth chart. The sophomore never rose higher than that during the rest of his time at Cincinnati and ultimately transferred from the program shortly after Tommy Tuberville arrived.

I thought the reason behind that was him falling behind on the two-deep behind RDA and Green but it sounds like Poteat had deep seeded issues with UC’s new regime.

"“Guys tell me [Tuberville] is a great guy, but I was miserable out there,” Poteat said. “I wanted to get somewhere close to home where my family could come see me play. I’m happy, and I just love playing football again. That Cincinnati atmosphere, I just hated it.”"

But then there’s this:

"“But I got to Cincinnati and hit a brick wall. I’m thinking that I’m going to come out here and be Big East rookie of the year. That didn’t happen. It really humbled me. It made me a better person today. If I do get a lot of success here, I really appreciate everything that happens.”"

11.4.2013 UPDATE: After speaking with Jameel, it turns out the reporter mixed around his quotes a bit in the News Day article. Most of his frustration was born in the injuries he sustained while as a Bearcat and it wasn’t necessarily directed at Tuberville or anyone on this current staff. Even so, I think the now Stony Brook runningback should have stuck around at UC as he could have developed into something special if he had stayed healthy. But I can absolutely understand his need for a fresh start and, as always, wish him the best in the future.

*****

To me it sounds like Poteat arrived in Cincinnati expecting he would be “the guy” at runningback. When that never transpired and the injuries started mounting he got frustrated. Then when Tuberville came in and changed the environment from family-focused to a more business-like atmosphere, Poteat didn’t seem to adapt to the transition well. He looked for a way out and Stony Brook was a means for him to get a fresh start.

Look, animosity towards a new staff happens all the time. Even in Butch Jones’ first year there was very real tension between the seniors who had grown accustomed to Brian Kelly’s way of doing things and the new coaching staff. Eventually the players who stuck around grew to love and respect him. But it’s always difficult to hear these things from former players.

Maybe Poteat was treated unfairly when Tuberville arrived on the staff or maybe the runningback just didn’t work as hard as Abernathy and Green. Who knows? But it’s definitely not a good idea for Poteat to burn bridges with one of the most highly respected coaches in football both at the collegiate and professional level.