Any Reports On The Spence Interview

#2
#2
from a post on the Clemson Scout board I see that Bowden is in the process of reworking contracts for his assistants.
 
#3
#3
from The State by Paul Strelow
CLEMSON — There appears little question as to whether Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence will entertain other job offers.
Discerning why, as well as what it would take for Spence to leave the Tigers, remain the clues to unlocking this mad scientist mystery.
Hours after Clemson concluded its final pre-bowl campus practice Friday morning, Spence flew to Knoxville, Tenn., to interview for Tennessee's vacant coordinator job.
"I'd say anytime you go, it's serious," coach Tommy Bowden said. "It's like Rich (Rodriguez) flying up to Toledo to meet with (Michigan officials recently) — anytime you make the trip, it's pretty serious when you go see somebody."
Bowden dismissed immediate concern because regardless of the outcome, he said Spence will serve as play-caller for the Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A Bowl against No. 22 Auburn.
Yet if Spence does not get the job — whether offered or not — bigger questions figure to be raised, especially within the program, about why he continues to explore other comparable opportunities.
Clemson's third-year coordinator made for an attractive target after last season, especially with Bowden's future perhaps in limbo.
He reciprocated that interest in two of three instances, lending serious consideration to becoming Minnesota's coordinator under their new coach, close friend Tim Brewster.
Spence turned down a three-year offer at a salary of nearly $325,000, considerably higher than the $207,000 he was to earn this season.
He subsequently visited with the NFL's Oakland Raiders about a staff position as well.
Before those came about, Alabama coach Nick Saban sought out Spence and offered to double his salary to be the Crimson Tide's coordinator, but Spence displayed no interest.
Now knocks Tennessee, which was to pay David Cutcliffe $340,000 this past season. Coach Philip Fulmer was granted permission from Bowden earlier this week to speak with Spence, reportedly the first candidate to interview for the job.
Bowden intimated that he does not take Spence's pursuits personally.
"That's just the nature of the profession," Bowden said. "I just look at is as going to a place where you're comfortable. Everybody goes where they're comfortable. Environment, geography, style of play, close to home. I see it as a little bit different."
Spence, whose experience working for a program in a BCS conference is otherwise limited to four years as a Maryland position coach (1992-96), has spoken numerous times this year of the immense pressure and scrutiny Tigers coaches and players endure on a daily basis.
One microscope under which Spence has never appeared comfortable was evident again Friday.
Spence uncharacteristically hopped an administrative assistant's car outside the practice field gates and rode to the locker room after the morning workout, presumably to bypass the routine interview areas where media members camp out.
When it did not work, Spence answered the first question about Tennessee's interest with a comment on the quality of practice.
He responded to the next question by saying, "I am flattered that they called," then deflected further questions by entering the staff locker room and saying he needed to prepare for a recruiting meeting.
Bowden declined to declare whether receivers coach Dabo Swinney would be promoted to coordinator if Spence left, as was the expectation a year ago.
"I'll address that if and when it happens," Bowden said.
Bowden said no other programs have contacted him regarding Clemson assistants, although that could change after bowl season. Linebackers coaches David Blackwell and Ron West have personal ties to Rodriguez and would be logical candidates for the Michigan staff.
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From the article I gather the following:

1. Bowden takes this as a serious interview;
2. No other team has asked to interview Spence this year, although he has a couple of suitors last year; and
3. If Spence doesn't like the media/fan scrutiny at Clemson, how is he ever going to handle the pressure in Knoxville?
 
#6
#6
Well, I think he may have the impression that the fan scrutiny will be less intense here than anywhere else is because we've only had 2 coaches in 30 years. To an outsider looking in, that seems a lot less pressurized than even a place like Clemson.
 
#7
#7
He may have turned down those jobs last year thinking he had a good shot at the Clemson HC job. However, since TB got the extension he may like his HC chances better in Kville.......
 
#8
#8
UT4EVER said:
He may have turned down those jobs last year thinking he had a good shot at the Clemson HC job. However, since TB got the extension he may like his HC chances better in Kville.......
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B/C Clemson has shown much more of a tendency to stick with a coach than UTK...

:blink:
 
#9
#9
VolunteerHillbilly said:
from The State by Paul Strelow


From the article I gather the following:

3. If Spence doesn't like the media/fan scrutiny at Clemson, how is he ever going to handle the pressure in Knoxville?
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Someone should invite him to the VN board for a more realistic preview.
 
#10
#10
First let me say I’m no CPF homer and have been totally disgusted by the inconsistency of his team’s play and conduct the past several years. I used to have 12 season tickets and NEVER missed a home game. It got to where I just no longer could stomach the mediocre to poor level of play and now have no tickets. That being said…CPF does deserve credit for bringing the team back from death’s door following the Alabama debacle. I expected the Vols to be no better than 6-6. When Cut came on board it was no secret that he would leave for the first reasonably good head coaching position. CPF is no fool…he knew this and probably has been planning for it… making a “list” of OC candidates for the inevitable loss of Cut. That’s why I think he’ll go outside the “family” to fill the position. The Rob Spence story is interesting
 
#11
#11
oskiee said:
First let me say I’m no CPF homer and have been totally disgusted by the inconsistency of his team’s play and conduct the past several years. I used to have 12 season tickets and NEVER missed a home game. It got to where I just no longer could stomach the mediocre to poor level of play and now have no tickets. That being said…CPF does deserve credit for bringing the team back from death’s door following the Alabama debacle. I expected the Vols to be no better than 6-6. When Cut came on board it was no secret that he would leave for the first reasonably good head coaching position. CPF is no fool…he knew this and probably has been planning for it… making a “list” of OC candidates for the inevitable loss of Cut. That’s why I think he’ll go outside the “family” to fill the position. The Rob Spence story is interesting
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That stinks, we were undefeated at home this year!

Go Vols!
 
#12
#12
Like CPF said...."it's an exciting opportunity". The Vols have needed significant coaching changes for some time. Most would agree that we need new blood. Maybe CPF can get this train on the right track. I hope so.
 
#13
#13
GoVols817 said:
B/C Clemson has shown much more of a tendency to stick with a coach than UTK...

:blink:
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B/C Fulmer appears to be on the hot seat and our HC job would be more attractive, IMO. Especially since we don't change HC very often.

That was my only point. :eek:k:
 
#14
#14
oskiee said:
First let me say I’m no CPF homer and have been totally disgusted by the inconsistency of his team’s play and conduct the past several years. I used to have 12 season tickets and NEVER missed a home game. It got to where I just no longer could stomach the mediocre to poor level of play and now have no tickets. That being said…CPF does deserve credit for bringing the team back from death’s door following the Alabama debacle. I expected the Vols to be no better than 6-6. When Cut came on board it was no secret that he would leave for the first reasonably good head coaching position. CPF is no fool…he knew this and probably has been planning for it… making a “list” of OC candidates for the inevitable loss of Cut. That’s why I think he’ll go outside the “family” to fill the position. The Rob Spence story is interesting
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My bet is CPF has lists for the entire offensive staff.

The Dale Jones story was interesting too. CPF could figure out a way to work him in as special teams coach or somewhere on the defense (no one here likes the DB coach, Slade, for example). I'd like to see CPF bring back Jones in some capacity. DJ has the heart of the 1985 Sugar Bowl team and we need more of that on the Hill.


Speaking of the 1985 Sugar Bowl, on the other side of the field, while Vinnie Testeverde was there man in 1985, another Miami QB comes to mind. Bernie Kosar expressed an interest in getting into college coaching last year when the U was looking for an HC. By now, Kosar must realize he'll have to start at a lower level assistant (e.g. a QB coach). I've wondered if he's on CPF's QB Coach list, but Kosar is involved in quite a bit outside the game. However, his commentary work for the Browns, for example, doesn't appear to be his niche. Just reminiscing...

I'm sure whoever is OC matters most with who is on the assistant lists, but if we are waiting to hire an NFL guy like DM or KB, either one needs to be paired with a good QB coach. They'll need help assembling their staffs as they haven't had CPF's luxuary of thinking about who might work well as an offensive assistant at UT for the past couple of years. I have no idea if either of them already have a QB coach in mind; and if so, who?
 
#15
#15
UT4EVER said:
B/C Fulmer appears to be on the hot seat and our HC job would be more attractive, IMO. Especially since we don't change HC very often.

That was my only point. :eek:k:
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Fulmer's seat isn't even warm, much less hot. It's at room temperature again since we made the SECCG. It would take a 4 win season to get hot again, wait a tick, JC may be our starter, on second thought, you may have a case.
 
#16
#16
GoVols817 said:
Fulmer's seat isn't even warm, much less hot. It's at room temperature again since we made the SECCG. It would take a 4 win season to get hot again, wait a tick, JC may be our starter, on second thought, you may have a case.
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Now that you mention it....hot seat may not be the appropriate term. How about........Short Leash...
 
#20
#20
yeah, fulmer seems to have things well in hand. what with 6 players not making minimum grades?
 
#22
#22
tarvol23 said:
you fulmer guys kill me:banghead2:
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I do not think it is a matter of being a Fulmer guy but a matter of being realistic about the situation... It ain't going to happen Right now...He is the only one we want in there right now to reestablish the program... Let's wait and see how it pans out... But the other is strictly reality and Fulmer is not going anywhere and there are no leashes...There is evidently not a problem or any Problems according to MH... Fulmer has the power and control right now. This will probably give him more if he pulls his fat out of the fire. He creates Job Security, Create a problem then be the only one who can fix it... Very comparable to G. Bush. LOL
 
#24
#24
GAVol said:
You people that think identifying the obvious equates to being a "Fulmer guy" kill me.
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That's kinda funny isn't it... Somehow being realistic about our current HC situation gives people the idea that we blindly support him.
 
#25
#25
I think Phil goes 7-5 next season and is forced to retire by UT Boosters (not Hamilton). If we would have lloss to either SC, Ark Vandy or KY then Phil would be done this year. But we found a win to win all four and save Phil his job.

Maybe we get hammered in the bowl (a comon thing in the Fulmer era lately) and go 7-5 or worse next season and we'll be good to go w/ a new coach. Only way it will happen, is if we lose some games..
 
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