David Blackburn in Knoxville Today

#26
#26
I think David Blackburn would be a terrific candidate for the AD job once Hart steps down. However, everyone that is on their radar should be looked at and interviewed for the position.
 
#27
#27
Fingers said:
"I wouldn't get out of control on that front just yet. He is in Knoxville routinely; his car dealership is here, lots of family in town. Obviously we think he's a candidate, but I wouldn't put much stock in anything big going down today or in the immediate future."

Rob Lewis
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Soooooo he effectively owns land in Knoxville?

😎
 
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#30
#30
butchna said:
I think we can get the best of both worlds. Fulmer involved and available as a face of the program...and Blackburn doing the boring, dirty work.
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They should just create a job for Fulmer. "Director of handshaking" or something like that. Appear at a few public functions, shake hands, take pictures, and just try to get people excited so they might bump their donations up.

Leave the AD job to actual ADs.
 
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#31
#31
Here's a funny thing about timing.

David Blackburn (or someone else) is going to come in and take over for Hart, just about the time that the football program is back on very solid footing.

Over the past three years, Butch and Dave have worked closely together raising a titan of college football from near-death. It has taken both of them, and all their staff, to get to where we are today.

Well, we're good. Now the AD is free to start focusing in much greater depth on the other sports. Not that Hart ever ignored any of them, he was just being pulled hard in a lot of ways, and the lion's share went to football.

So Blackburn steps in, Butch reassures him all is copacetic, and he--who happens to have proven his chops spreading the effort across a multitude of sports programs--is free to make hay with B-Ball, track, swimming, baseball, volleyball, etc.

Point is twofold: first, it's not that Hart wouldn't have done well from this point on, if he'd stayed another five years. It's that timing can be everything ... and second, it does appear as if we may be headed for a renaissance across the board in UT athletics.

At least, we can all hope so.

Go Vols!
 
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#32
#32
TheDeeble said:
They should just create a job for Fulmer. "Director of handshaking" or something like that. Appear at a few public functions, shake hands, take pictures, and just try to get people excited so they might bump their donations up.

Leave the AD job to actual ADs.
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Perfect. :clap:
 
#33
#33
VFL-82-JP said:
Here's a funny thing about timing.

David Blackburn (or someone else) is going to come in and take over for Hart, just about the time that the football program is back on very solid footing.

Over the past three years, Butch and Dave have worked closely together raising a titan of college football from near-death. It has taken both of them, and all their staff, to get to where we are today.

Well, we're good. Now the AD is free to start focusing in much greater depth on the other sports. Not that Hart ever ignored any of them, he was just being pulled hard in a lot of ways, and the lion's share went to football.

So Blackburn steps in, Butch reassures him all is copacetic, and he--who happens to have proven his chops spreading the effort across a multitude of sports programs--is free to make hay with B-Ball, track, swimming, baseball, volleyball, etc.

Point is twofold: first, it's not that Hart wouldn't have done well from this point on, if he'd stayed another five years. It's that timing can be everything ... and second, it does appear as if we may be headed for a renaissance across the board in UT athletics.

At least, we can all hope so.

Go Vols!
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Thanks to Hart.
 
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#34
#34
UT has made some knee jerk firing and hiring decisions in the past, but this has been planned for a while. Joe DiP had no intention of extending Hart's contract, Hart knew it and they already know who the new AD will be. And some of his first responsibilities will be to evaluate and most likely terminate two head coaches and mend relationships with some of the people Hart alienated.
 
#35
#35
TheDeeble said:
They should just create a job for Fulmer. "Director of handshaking" or something like that. Appear at a few public functions, shake hands, take pictures, and just try to get people excited so they might bump their donations up.

Leave the AD job to actual ADs.
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Pretty sure he's been doing that for years, even without an official title.
 
#37
#37
VFL-82-JP said:
Here's a funny thing about timing.

David Blackburn (or someone else) is going to come in and take over for Hart, just about the time that the football program is back on very solid footing.

Over the past three years, Butch and Dave have worked closely together raising a titan of college football from near-death. It has taken both of them, and all their staff, to get to where we are today.

Well, we're good. Now the AD is free to start focusing in much greater depth on the other sports. Not that Hart ever ignored any of them, he was just being pulled hard in a lot of ways, and the lion's share went to football.

So Blackburn steps in, Butch reassures him all is copacetic, and he--who happens to have proven his chops spreading the effort across a multitude of sports programs--is free to make hay with B-Ball, track, swimming, baseball, volleyball, etc.

Point is twofold: first, it's not that Hart wouldn't have done well from this point on, if he'd stayed another five years. It's that timing can be everything ... and second, it does appear as if we may be headed for a renaissance across the board in UT athletics.

At least, we can all hope so.

Go Vols!
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It's amazing how much "Bama Dave" has done for our beloved football program. Should really be considered among the greatest AD's ever for the way he resurrected UT and Bama.

Sure the Lady Vol thing got a little messy. But he did what he was brought here to do: put football back on very solid footing for the future.
 
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#38
#38
KBVol said:
Spot on WT....then throw in the great work he's done at UTC. He's gotta be the leader in the clubhouse, although I'd personally love to see Coach Fulmer in there as well. Give me either and I'm a happy little Vol Fan.
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Please no fulmer for AD, it would be a disaster, maybe assistant AD, but not full time.
 
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#41
#41
The Artful Dodger said:
It's amazing how much "Bama Dave" has done for our beloved football program. Should really be considered among the greatest AD's ever for the way he resurrected UT and Bama.

Sure the Lady Vol thing got a little messy. But he did what he was brought here to do: put football back on very solid footing for the future.
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Yeah, I really never understood the dislike Hart gets. I think he has done a very good job with what the situation was when he came into this program. I feel like pushing him out is the wrong move, but that's just my personal preference.

He hired Butch who has proven to be a good stabilizing force. He got rid of Tyndall before he let any NCAA issues further flood our university, and he hired one of the most respected and likable basketball coaches in the game. Barnes will do wonders for the national perception of TN going forward.
 
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#42
#42
Well, I guess the majority has spoken. I, too, think Blackburn is a great choice.

It's just that usually in life when everybody universally sings the praises of an individual, watch out.

MAN!! I'm getting negative in my old age. :no:
 
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#43
#43
VersaceButch said:
Yeah, I really never understood the dislike Hart gets. I think he has done a very good job with what the situation was when he came into this program. I feel like pushing him out is the wrong move, but that's just my personal preference.

He hired Butch who has proven to be a good stabilizing force. He got rid of Tyndall before he let any NCAA issues further flood our university, and he hired one of the most respected and likable basketball coaches in the game. Barnes will do wonders for the national perception of TN going forward.
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Well he hired Tyndall in the first place and if he had his way we would be firing Charlie Strong right now...

he got lucky with Butch, he was at the bottom of his list.
 
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#45
#45
butchna said:
Since Blackburn worked extensively for Fulmer, I'd wager the type of role that the coach is conducting at ETSU (or was proposed) would be an ideal fit. The day to day administrative crap would have been a drag. His strengths are his contacts and the good will he's built over the decades.
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David never worked for Fulmer. He was a student manager when Fulmer was an assistant for Majors. David moved into administration in the athletic department about the time Fulmer became head coach.
 
#47
#47
LWSVOL said:
David never worked for Fulmer. He was a student manager when Fulmer was an assistant for Majors. David moved into administration in the athletic department about the time Fulmer became head coach.
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Does the current Director of Football Operations work FOR Butch? Wasn't that Spognardi? If so, Tell UTSports.com...they be fools. :)

David Blackburn has over two decades of intercollegiate experience in multiple sport oversight, fundraising, compliance, football operations, and athletic facility management.
Began his career at Tennessee in 1993 working with then-head football coach Phillip Fulmer and the football program in a variety of roles culminating in Tennessee winning the first-ever BCS national championship in 1998.
In a 10-year association with Fulmer's staff, Blackburn played an intricate role and held the titles of assistant director of compliance, director of football operations, and assistant athletic director for football operations.
During that time, Tennessee enjoyed its most successful run in the storied program's history with a record of 99-24, winning one national championship, two SEC championships, and playing in 10 consecutive bowl games.
Blackburn's leadership, guidance, knowledge and application of NCAA rules, and never-tiring work ethic helped the Vols football program soar to levels of achievement unseen on the gridiron in Knoxville.
 
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#49
#49
butchna said:
Does the current Director of Football Operations work FOR Butch? Wasn't that Spognardi? If so, Tell UTSports.com...they be fools. :)

David Blackburn has over two decades of intercollegiate experience in multiple sport oversight, fundraising, compliance, football operations, and athletic facility management.
Began his career at Tennessee in 1993 working with then-head football coach Phillip Fulmer and the football program in a variety of roles culminating in Tennessee winning the first-ever BCS national championship in 1998.
In a 10-year association with Fulmer's staff, Blackburn played an intricate role and held the titles of assistant director of compliance, director of football operations, and assistant athletic director for football operations.
During that time, Tennessee enjoyed its most successful run in the storied program's history with a record of 99-24, winning one national championship, two SEC championships, and playing in 10 consecutive bowl games.
Blackburn's leadership, guidance, knowledge and application of NCAA rules, and never-tiring work ethic helped the Vols football program soar to levels of achievement unseen on the gridiron in Knoxville.
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I could be the fool... I sure don't remember him being around the football complex.. fool me. :crazy:
 
#50
#50
LWSVOL said:
I could be the fool... I sure don't remember him being around the football complex.. fool me. :crazy:
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Could be a matter of semantics. I'll switch to "working extensively WITH Fulmer", out of consideration for our friendship. :wink2:
 
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