Phil was a good coach and I appreciate his contributions to the program. I don’t think he was a great coach. Food for thought, when Cutcliffe was OC that first six years of Phil’s tenure Tennessee had an 85% win record in the conference and overall (and 5 of his 11 conference losses in that...
I agree with your overall point but one small correction. Stallings was not a buffoon. He was 3-1-1 against Fulmer. Mike Dubose was the other buffoon that Fulmer owned during Bama’s down period. Stallings won a natty.
No, it doesn't mean we "won" the East. It means we tied for the East with Georgia (both at 6-2), and the first tie breaker for who goes to the SECCG is head to head competition. The tie breaker only determines who goes to the CG, not who is the divisional champion (which is a very dubious...