People upset over Phil

#77
#77
'Boro-vol said:
Yes, hopefully he knows that to be successful Butch need to be relocated to a mid-major team somewhere in the upper mid-west or Great Lakes region.
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This is my main concern with Phil. Does he "love Tennessee" more than he wants to win championships? Will he be satisfied with Butch winning 7,8, or 9 wins as long as the stadium is full and the program is making money? That is the the overall responsibility of the AD, isn't it?

It's like my argument about Gruden. Although I know he is not coming here, or anywhere, I would have so much confidence in an Athletic directors commitment to wining knowing he "went after him". I still don't understand why some can't accept that.

At this point, all I can do is have hope.
 
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#78
#78
Hairy Vols said:
I understand you probably wanted Blackburn, but the reasons NOT to hire Phil I don't think are very solid. After all Bill Battle wasn't a good Head Coach, but just look where he got Alabama football. (Obviously Phil was light years above Bill)

I'm looking at the situation this way, even tho he has never been an AD before I think if he didn't have enough knowledge they wouldn't consider the hire, what would be the point?

And on a final note I think what Phil brings to the table as a recruiter can definitely translate to his new position with making hires, influencing boosters, ect ect.

I get not everyone will like the hire, I just don't understand why everyone is being so nasty about someone who loves the place so much. Hell he could of taken another job after we fired him, but didn't because he loves this place so much because this is the only place he wants to be.

How is that not someone you want in charge of Tennessee athletics?!?
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OP, excellent post. I'm not all crazy one way or the other for Phil, but he certainly checks alot of the boxes, and MOST importantly truly loves UT. I think it also helps that as a college football HOF member as a coach, and well respected in the college coaching fraternity, that will help attracting coaches AND dealing with boosters (except for maybe some that ousted him). Whether he's qualified or not is up to someone else to decide, but think it is laughable that some have so much negativity for a guy who had two losing seasons as a HC, won 6 division titles, 2 SEC, 1 Nat, has been successful in business CPV Capital Management, helping financial advisers connect with clients (big part of AD job) and still active on speaking engagements. I think I just talked myself into it...Go Phil!
 
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#79
#79
Grand Vol said:
You know, if he was an AD at some rinky-dink Division 2 or JUCO school where he had a staff of 0 to help out, your opinion would have merit. But the AD at a P5 school manages the money men as well as having a staff that helps run things.

People complain he doesn't have budget experience. I'd be willing to bet there's likely a budget staff there for a reason.

You want to complain about emotional decisions. Same emotional decisions that led us to a championship?

You claim he possibly lost his passion at his last job. His last job was technically helping get a smaller university's football program up and running. Seems there's still passion there. And he very much was employed, so do even try that one. He isn't living hand to mouth.

Your points really aren't valid. As I said in the other thread, it's a good thing he's already failed at being an AD. I'd hate for him to prove some of you wrong.
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You make it sound like this is some sort of glorified cakewalk job. Like he's going to be the queen of England. His staff can't just manage EVERYTHING for him. That isn't how it works. He has to be the one setting the tone for the department, making pivotal budget decisions, and hiring top tier coaching talent. I have doubts on his ability to do all that. Fundraising? Yep, Fulmer is my guy for that, but the position is far more complex than that.
 
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#80
#80
Roustabout said:
Based on what?
He struggled firing people who helped drag his career into the toilet. See Pat Washington and Sanders.
He is 65. He has zero administrative experience. He was the first cog in plunging UT football down the drain.

It's a divisive hire. Horrible.
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Fulmer has relationships in college football that are far reaching and would benefit us when it's time to make a hire. Don't underestimate his love for UT - he will do what's best for the university and not what's best for his career. He will also keep the dollars coming in to the school which also helps when it comes to hiring big time coaches and contracts. It would be a good hire imo, but carry on with your ungrateful hatred. Got any fat jokes you want to use?
 
#81
#81
Thunder Good-Oil said:
Try again.
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I'm listening for other qualifications...fundraising? He certainly doesn't need to be AD to fundraise for UT? National Championship? That has absolutely nothing to do with being AD. I'll go ahead and grant you one: he understands the inner workings of a football program better than any other candidate. That still does not make him anywhere near qualified.
 
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#82
#82
'Boro-vol said:
Yes, hopefully he knows that to be successful Butch need to be relocated to a mid-major team somewhere in the upper mid-west or Great Lakes region.
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You may as well forget that under Fulmer IMO.

"Butch (Jones) has done a great job with the football team. I love (men's basketball coach) Rick Barnes and watching his kids play basketball. Talent-wise he hasn't had time to get it to where he wants it to be, but they play so hard and they're fun to watch. And I've known Holly (Warlick, the women's basketball coach) since she was a kid.
 
#83
#83
Roustabout said:
One of the reasons Fulmer was fired was he couldn't attract a solid OC after Cut left. He micro managed poor Randy into the ground and nearly derailed a potentially promising career.
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Would disagree only in that he didn't bother to conduct an actual search seeking out the best candidates. He walked down the hall and gave it to a buddy who had been one of his lackeys. There were plenty of qualified candidates who would have taken the job and done better with it.

Just something to think about when considering replacing Holly, Serrano, and any other underperforming coach.
 
#84
#84
volunator said:
The man loves UT. He obviously has the big donors to back him up. I believe he will be a great figure head for the program and if nothing else, we will probably get some more one liners from Spurrier.
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I love UT as well. It doesn't make me a candidate for a 6 figure job in their administration though.
 
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#86
#86
I'll wait and see. I don't know Phil personally or professionally. Judgements based on team performance in coaching position is in my opinion premature.

Go Vols!
 
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#88
#88
fade route said:
Fulmer has relationships in college football that are far reaching and would benefit us when it's time to make a hire. Don't underestimate his love for UT - he will do what's best for the university and not what's best for his career. He will also keep the dollars coming in to the school which also helps when it comes to hiring big time coaches and contracts. It would be a good hire imo, but carry on with your ungrateful hatred. Got any fat jokes you want to use?
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Believing that Fulmer is not a great hire for AD is far from being disrespectful of his time here, or making fat jokes.

As somebody who hires people, the resumes between Fulmer and Blackburn aren't even close. Blackburn has been groomed for this job, had multiple roles within the department, and has successfully done the job at another location within the system. Phil knows football.

This job entails so much more than people understand, and one candidate has successfully negotiated that, the other hasn't. Weighing that is no slight to Coach Fulmer, it's just business.
 
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#90
#90
'Boro-vol said:
This is great...instead of a qualified unifying hire our administration picks the one person who could possibly divide this fanbase further.

Only at my alma mater. This should be fun.
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Given your avatar, I suspect we both feel similar emotions with PF being the AD. Having said that, there are obviously worse choices. If he's selected, I will support him. This is my alma mater as well. Really no other choice but to get behind the hire. Just hope for the best. I keep telling myself that there are no "slam dunk" hires. Blackburn might be great....might not. I felt certain...no doubt whatsoever....that Serrano would be the perfect coach for UT baseball and we'd be in the tournament annually. Hell....we can't even make Hoover most years. Never assume or take for granted I guess.
 
#92
#92
Probably_in_Class said:
I'm listening for other qualifications...fundraising? He certainly doesn't need to be AD to fundraise for UT? National Championship? That has absolutely nothing to do with being AD. I'll go ahead and grant you one: he understands the inner workings of a football program better than any other candidate. That still does not make him anywhere near qualified.
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How about he knows the business of college football inside and out? You know, the bell cow for the entire operation. How about he helped start a college football program from nothing? How about he has connections in football and media all around the country? How about he oversaw an organization with dozens of employees and another hundred or so "volunteers" for a couple of decades?
 
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#94
#94
Seems like 'TN guy' is the solution for all things related to UT. Unfortunately, that in-bred, good ole boys nepotism is what started the slide in the first place. The lack of fresh ideas, innovations, and a sense of entitlement was how our AD was circling the financial drain.

Bringing back Phil because he 'bleeds orange' seems a bit dense to me. Coaching success does not immediately translate to a winning skill set in other arenas. He might be a home run and I sincerely hope that is the case but imagine if McDonalds only hired top execs whose last name happened to be McDonald. There may be some great candidates amongst the McDonalds of the world but it seems awful stupid to limit your options like that.

My biggest concerns with Phil are a resistance to evolve and the aforementioned sense of entitlement. He refused to make changes to his staff out of stubbornness/loyalty 10yrs ago. His response to criticism was 'we didn't forget how to coach overnight.' At age 65, is it reasonable to assume he has become more open-minded? Could have learned from the experience but only time will tell.

On the entitlement side, he felt (and many here agreed) that he had a job for life after winning the NC. That was bull****. He was paid a large sum of money to perform and the fact that he felt he had 'plenty of equity' to churn out 5-7 seasons was disturbing. At the time, I felt Phil thought he was bigger than UT. Again, he could have learned from his lessons but the fact that he is the big boosters boy is unsettling.

Rich guys think they always know best and it is easy to assume that is the case since they're rich. Sometimes it is even accurate. The one area the rich guys are 100% right is knowing what's best for them. Just because Thunder Thornton likes this hire, it doesn't mean it's the best choice for UT. It gets his boy back in the door and gives him unprecedented access but does it give UT the best chance for success?

I hope to god Phil is a great success and other coaches have become great AD's. I just hope Phil is the right man for the wrong reasons.

every school in the SEC has big booster throwing their weight and money around. Maybe Bama's rich guys are just smarter than ours....
 
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#95
#95
TNnative said:
A long term guy with a long term financial plan for the athletic dept. Instead, you all are just trying to justify a sentimental hire. I have gone on record that we need a Tennessee guy, but one that knows the job. That is no reason to hire a 65 year old novice. Like I said, drink well to it, but leave me outta it. The buck should stop with the AD, and Phil's extensive experience at passing it means I am staying stone sober.
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Well stated.

I find it hard to believe how short the memories are on here regarding how much trouble Fulmer had off the field with his team. The man became a laughing stock and an internet site with the Fulmer Cup.

How is he gonna handle those calls as the person the buck stops with?

Not to mention he is the one who lobbied hardest for Hamilton which got the ball rolling on this whole ball of futility the athletic department has seen the last decade.

If he brings in Blackburn or a Blackburn type who actually knows the job and can make the hard decisions while Fulmer acts as a figure head, it might work.

If he actually has to run things and make the decisions himself, it'll be a disaster.
 
#97
#97
Thunder Good-Oil said:
How about he knows the business of college football inside and out? You know, the bell cow for the entire operation. How about he helped start a college football program from nothing? How about he has connections in football and media all around the country? How about he oversaw an organization with dozens of employees and another hundred or so "volunteers" for a couple of decades?
Click to expand...

He knows football. I granted you that. I'd hardly consider reorganizing a football team that had only ceased a few years earlier "starting a football team from nothing" but we'll have to agree to disagree there. What are these magical connections and how exactly does it benefit the program that he has some famous friends? Finally, yes he ran a football team. You've already mentioned that, and we are all very aware...
 
#98
#98
Probably_in_Class said:
You make it sound like this is some sort of glorified cakewalk job. Like he's going to be the queen of England. His staff can't just manage EVERYTHING for him. That isn't how it works. He has to be the one setting the tone for the department, making pivotal budget decisions, and hiring top tier coaching talent. I have doubts on his ability to do all that. Fundraising? Yep, Fulmer is my guy for that, but the position is far more complex than that.
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You don't think the man is capable of making the big decisions when it comes down to it? Or identifying top tier talent for coaching positions and talking them into the job? Or more importantly, getting the money lined up to make said hire?

No, the job certainly isn't a cakewalk. But the original reasons you gave just don't hold water. And really, these don't either. You have doubts even before he's started and shown anyone he isn't capable of doing it. So take a deep breath, down a Prozac or two and chill out before your blood pressure gets out of control. Give him the chance to prove you wrong or right.
 
#100
#100
finn said:
Seems like 'TN guy' is the solution for all things related to UT. Unfortunately, that in-bred, good ole boys nepotism is what started the slide in the first place. The lack of fresh ideas, innovations, and a sense of entitlement was how our AD was circling the financial drain.

Bringing back Phil because he 'bleeds orange' seems a bit dense to me. Coaching success does not immediately translate to a winning skill set in other arenas. He might be a home run and I sincerely hope that is the case but imagine if McDonalds only hired top execs whose last name happened to be McDonald. There may be some great candidates amongst the McDonalds of the world but it seems awful stupid to limit your options like that.

My biggest concerns with Phil are a resistance to evolve and the aforementioned sense of entitlement. He refused to make changes to his staff out of stubbornness/loyalty 10yrs ago. His response to criticism was 'we didn't forget how to coach overnight.' At age 65, is it reasonable to assume he has become more open-minded? Could have learned from the experience but only time will tell.

On the entitlement side, he felt (and many here agreed) that he had a job for life after winning the NC. That was bull****. He was paid a large sum of money to perform and the fact that he felt he had 'plenty of equity' to churn out 5-7 seasons was disturbing. At the time, I felt Phil thought he was bigger than UT. Again, he could have learned from his lessons but the fact that he is the big boosters boy is unsettling.

Rich guys think they always know best and it is easy to assume that is the case since they're rich. Sometimes it is even accurate. The one area the rich guys are 100% right is knowing what's best for them. Just because Thunder Thornton likes this hire, it doesn't mean it's the best choice for UT. It gets his boy back in the door and gives him unprecedented access but does it give UT the best chance for success?

I hope to god Phil is a great success and other coaches have become great AD's. I just hope Phil is the right man for the wrong reasons.

every school in the SEC has big booster throwing their weight and money around. Maybe Bama's rich guys are just smarter than ours....
Click to expand...

Yea because Hamilton and the Bammer worked out so well
 
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