Did Fulmer overvalue himself?

[BernardKingGOAT]

He followed that 5-6 season with a 9 and 10 win season. No problem with looking after the second losing season, REAL problem doing so without a guy with class and character lined up to fill the void. Somebody failed AD 101 class.

He felt no need to seek jobs outside of Knoxville. Have heard his wife reinforced that concept.

He sure claimed publicly he wasn't done with coaching. He interviewed at places

 

[#1fulmerite]

Should we have given him a sabbatical?

 

[WaywardVol]

I recall the experts and "wannebe coaches"demanding Fulmer be fired back then .They were declaring any mediocre coach could win at UT with our history and facilities. That with any average coach we should win a SEC title at least every 3-4 years and a NC at least 1-2 times every 8-10 years.
How has that worked out?

He absolutely should have been fired. You’re going to blame the fans for a completely inept and incompetent administration?? Umkay.

 

[GAVol]

Should have given him a sabby?

He’s a football coach; not a Baptist preacher.

 

[Tnphil]

I recall the experts and "wannebe coaches"demanding Fulmer be fired back then .They were declaring any mediocre coach could win at UT with our history and facilities. That with any average coach we should win a SEC title at least every 3-4 years and a NC at least 1-2 times every 8-10 years.
How has that worked out?

Is this roadvol from the VolChat days?

 

[05_never_again]

He sure claimed publicly he wasn't done with coaching. He interviewed at places

Yep. Louisville in particular.

 

[Jax_Vol]

Y'all still chewing the fat..?

 

[Jackcrevol]

There has been much discussion about Fulmer on these boards as late as this week and, amongst Vol fans in general. As it seems, most on here state they believed it was time for him to go before his first firing. To me, he never seemed to accept it. It was as if he thought he was Tennessee football and above everyone and was owed more than just the millions he was paid. Then, when he came back as AD, there was a glow surrounding him as though he was proving he was Tennessee football and him being named AD was proof he was wronged. Before his first firing, it also seemed he was oblivious to the negative environment that the fan based had against him; he was in disbelief about his first firing. Was he thinking about Majors and the legions of the miserables and thus did not see the total sentiment? I think his negotiated package the second time included box seats among other perks. He never seemed to settle away from the Tennessee spotlight. I just can’t recall another coach who never accepted their firing like he did.

Big Fulmer fan here. But yes he overvalued himself as an AD.

 

[BernardKingGOAT]

Yep. Louisville in particular.

And Kansas

 

[stolitonic]

Tells me that he was 58, rich and could do whatever he wanted. I aspire to be that someday. lol

Didn't he throw his hat in the ring for the Clemson job that ultimately went to Dabo?

Seem to remember being an analyst on CBS (I think) and doing it on air. Clemson did not return his enthusiasm lol.

 

[GAVol]

Didn't he throw his hat in the ring for the Clemson job that ultimately went to Dabo?

Seem to remember being an analyst on CBS (I think) and doing it on air. Clemson did not return his enthusiasm lol.

I think that’s right. They either talked or he at least mentioned it. Then Clemson went with the interim guy after he won a few games.

 

[WillisWG]

I think that’s right. They either talked or he at least mentioned it. Then Clemson went with the interim guy after he won a few games.

Yep going 4-2, a bowl bid plus a W over Spurrier's South Carolina and the job was his. Not sure if they even did a search.

 

[WillisWG]

And Kansas

Yep. Louisville in particular.

Turner Gill fired year 2. Not sure what Kansas saw in him.

Charlie Strong was a good fit for Louisville, he should have stayed there. Fired at TX.

Talking about getting back into coaching and really trying to find a HC position are two separate things.

It is said that Vicky wanted Phil to retire after the NC. Just guessing but she probably didn't want him to take another coaching position after being fired. Knoxville is home. How much she may have played into Phil's considering another HC job can't be overlooked. jmo

 

[05_never_again]

Turner Gill fired year 2. Not sure what Kansas saw in him.

Charlie Strong was a good fit for Louisville, he should have stayed there. Fired at TX.

Talking about getting back into coaching and really trying to find a HC position are two separate things.

It is said that Vicky wanted Phil to retire after the NC. Just guessing but she probably didn't want him to take another coaching position after being fired. Knoxville is home. How much she may have played into Phil's considering another HC job can't be overlooked. jmo

If memory serves, he interviewed at Louisville and publicly said he was interested in that job.

 

[TheDeeble]

Should we have given him a sabbatical?

I've never understood this suggestion. Time off wouldn't fix his stubbornness, inability to adapt, or insecurity but most of all have people that thought a sabbatical was an option forgotten how he got the head coach job to begin with?

Fulmer's opportunity came when Johnny had heart surgery. He was interim for three games. After Johnny came back he coached 5 games(2-3) and Tennessee said Fulmer is taking over next year.

The last thing Fulmer would have agreed to was have someone else come come in as interim HC, have a good run, then get him fired.

 

[WillisWG]

If memory serves, he interviewed at Louisville and publicly said he was interested in that job.

If my memory serves me, he said he had "an itch to get back to coaching" Vicky probably scratched that itch for him. Yep the rumor was he interviewed but I am old and don't remember if it was ever confirmed. I do remember that Strong and Sumlin were both considered and both interviewed with Strong being hired.

I think there were influences that some aren't considering. If someone wants to think he couldn't get hired who am I to tell them they're wrong.

 

[adam.vol]

You obviously don’t work around and with highly motivated and competitve people.

Is that what backstabbers call themselves? Highly motivated alphas.. Who talks like that? I was wondering what happened to the people who used to watch those 1980’s “king of the ski slopes” movies.

 

[WaywardVol]

Is that what backstabbers call themselves? Highly motivated alphas.. Who talks like that? I was wondering what happened to the people who used to watch those 1980’s “king of the ski slopes” movies.

LOL. Sorry that the reality of the world offends your sensibilities. We’ll find you a safe space away from the testosterone.

BTW, Fulmer was the king of back stabbers.

 

[adam.vol]

LOL. Sorry that the reality of the world offends your sensibilities. We’ll find you a safe space away from the testosterone.

BTW, Fulmer was the king of back stabbers.

So Fulmer was an alpha?

A bunch of brown-nosing prisses calling themselves alphas.. That’s rich! You people need to find Christ.

 

[volfan2024]

I’ll never think the 98 team gave the 97 team all they had with Peyton at the helm. Just don’t feel they did.