Respecting Phillip Fulmer

[vols22]

He may have done a lot, but he has been compensated very heavily for what he has done and I get paid nothing to pay for ppv or over priced tickets, drinks, etc. and parking.. So yes, he deserves some respect but he deserves to be ridiculed too, he is paid to much over those years not to be.

[FLSTF-VOL]

Originally Posted by cotton

Eesh...what a load of absolute crap. The only reason for animosity is not winning championships. If the folks calling for his head would stick to their guns, they might actually get it. The man hasn't won a championship in a decade and shows no signs of being capable of winning one in the next. That's a reason for animosity and a reason for letting him go. The rest of your post is garbage that has nothing to do with the "animosity" or whether a coaching change is necessary or appropriate.

His approach with the fans, or disciplinary methods, or success with player development, or--my favorite--money grab, are complete fluff. I can't think of a single coach who is more approachable, isn't susceptible to criticism for his disciplinary practices, has placed more players in the NFL, or would come for less money, that I would want at the helm in Knoxville. I just want somebody that will win ballgames and keep UT off of the NCAA's 10 most wanted list.

The problem with all of the aforementioned tripe is that it is subjective, and on subjective grounds, the folks that want Fulmer's head on a pike are going to lose. Winning is objective; stick to that as your criterium for change.



This is perhaps the only post I've read in the midst of this debacle that is worse than Rasputin's. UT hasn't given Fulmer anything; it contracted for it, whether as a player(which is just a weird thing to bring up) or coach. He has done exactly what he has been paid to do, and that is coach the football team to the best of his ability. If that isn't good enough, the university should let him go and go find someone who can do the job better. I really don't have a problem with that. But to blame the man for accepting what the administration freely offered, including the clause that compensates him for being terminated, is simply absurd.

If, at any moment, Tennessee wants to fire him, they can, they just have to pay him. If you want to aim your ire at something, try the guys who put the school in that situation and are now in charge of making that decision.

Well stated. How can anyone hold it against a man for accepting money offered to him?

I can bet that every person here would gladly accept it if offered by their employer.

One other thing. I seem to remember not much more than a year ago folks were calling for Paterno's head. Don't seem to be doing so bad right now.

[Volgrad98]

Originally Posted by Bigg Tazz

So I'm curious how you will fill if CPF makes it thru this yr and wins a bowl game then next yr we win the sec title and win a bcs bowl....will you still be calling for his head? I for one hope this is exactly what happens and we do win big.

So Tazz let me pose this question, how will you feel if CPF doesn't make it through this year with enough wins for a bowl, remains as coach next year, and our team remains in the SEC cellar? Will you be saying give him another chance?

I don't agree with petty shots at PF, you know the fat jokes and what not, but the man does deserve alot of scrutiny for his ability,or lack thereof, in coaching. He is slipping and that is the cold hard truth.

[rockytopolis]

The HC is essentially a CEO for the company. The position coaches - middle managers and the players - the work force. There is no denying that CFP has had lots of success at UT (at one point there was his 85%+ winning percentage, NC, etc.) BUT... this is just food for thought... he is not calling plays on offense or schemes on defense. It was rumored that Uber oc Norm Chow was courted last season to come to Kville, and passed it up for LA. Instead we get a small time guy whose name is ironically Clawson (Clausen)I guess what I'm asking is: Is it really CFP or problems with the supporting cast?

Are the VOL faithful aiming frustration at the easiest target on the hill?

[Ohio Vol]

Originally Posted by vol1981

I've often wondered how successful high school coaches
feel while watching this mess (Vol play).

Like this, in this progression.

[orangeguy]

Originally Posted by Ohio Vol

Like this, in this progression.

pretty good!
follow it up with

[TVT]

The only way Fulmers' exit will be dignified is with his resignation. If he doesn't, then his dignity might get bruised a bit when he is fired.

[Lurker]

Coach Fulmer had a run in the history of Tennessee football that will probably, ultimately, be judged as second only to the legendary days of General Neyland. He brought great hope to a program that was, in all fairness, distressed, and for years, he delivered on that hope.

I don't know why his time passed. It is irrelevant why the program first plateued and then began to move in a negative fashion. It just did. In truth, Coach Fulmer--- the same man who brought great hope and joy to the Vols in the '90s--- is now viewed just like many fans viewed his extremely popular predecessor---a man who also is a Tennessee legend and who is rightfully among the crown jewels of the Vol football legacy.

Coach Fulmer is going to move on someday, and most likely sooner rather than later. In my view, he should choose to move on now for the good of the program. It is time to stop grasping onto past glories and dreams of future recoveries. It is no longer working. Let someone else take it on.

"3:1 To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
3:2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3:3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;..."

….Ecclesiastes III

Well, you get my point.

[tennfanatic]

Originally Posted by FLSTF-VOL

Well stated. How can anyone hold it against a man for accepting money offered to him?

I can bet that every person here would gladly accept it if offered by their employer.

One other thing. I seem to remember not much more than a year ago folks were calling for Paterno's head. Don't seem to be doing so bad right now.

I hate to tell you but Fulmer is no Paterno. Paterno literally made that school, and put Penn State on the map. Tennessee was doing just fine before Fulmer came, and we will be fine without him. I appreciate the NT and two SEC titles in his 16 years but its time for him to move on.

[VolBeef88]

Originally Posted by VolunteerHillbilly

I'm not going to rip you RDU, but I don't see how Fulmer can make statements about 95% of the fanbase not understanding football because they did not play the game and then expect the respect of those same fans. I try not to pile on the nastiness and stick to the numbers-based arguments but the guy does not seem willing to accept personal responsibility for what has happened and sometimes it gets under my skin to the point that I cannot help myself. I wish he would just quit. Now.

How many times now has he stated that it starts and ends with him? He sent out a letter to fans etc... I know you dont like him but the "He doesnt take responsibility" crap is not true. I do agree with what the poster said to a point. CPF has earned respect.

[volinbham]

Originally Posted by BigPapaVol

for those who understand Xs and Os, it's even worse.

kisses and hugs?

[gatorhater_35]

CPF has done a lot for this university.... its hard for anybody to accept failure and I am sure its killing Fulmer... He does not deserve to be totally ripped apart, but he does need to realize his time has come... He has done great things for this university, but if he does not step down he is going to tarnish his legacy more than ever... a losing season this year along with 05 and no SEC title since 98 is unacceptable at UT PERIOD, So phil thank you for winning back to back SEC champs, the NC, and 01 up to the SECCG, but at some point we have to win the SEC again... and the quicker he realizes its not him, the quicker we get back to prominence

[BigPapaVol]

Originally Posted by volinbham

kisses and hugs?

what else would I have been talking about?

Phil's just not a very affectionate guy.

[dantheman617]

I honestly do respect Phillip Fulmer. At the same time, he needs to respect the university, his pride, and the game of football. It has obviously passed him by. He has been there for a long time. He needs to leave for the same reason they change the president every 4 years, you get too comfortable and establish too much power and senority.

[VolsZealot]

I dont feel sorry for fulmer. He has done a lot of great things for the university. Thats mainly in the past though. I respect what he did but what is he doing now? Fulmer is very well compensated for the things he does. In one year he will make more than most people will see in their entire lives. Now lets add to this if he gets fired he will get $6 mil not to work. Given the current economic times you cant blame people one bit for being angry.