Coach Fulmer is a nice guy and I like him. But, its time for a change. Since the fall to LSU in the title game of 2001, we have enjoyed a slow decent into mediocrity. Those that that think otherwise are foolish. The time for change should have been after that horrible loss to a team we had beaten earlier in the season. A real house cleaning of coaches and mentality was in order. Thats what great minds do when they see a problem. Instead, as normal, Fulmer chose the status quo (and loyalty) and went back to work. Fulmer is a hard worker and motivator. This is something I dont question. However, he is not and never has been a great thinker or for that matter a great game day coach. The game hasnt changed but the approach has. Teams are too evenly divided and no one team really has overwhelming talent anymore. In our 90s run, we had superior talent but we never ever had superior coaching. Those that still relish the 1998 NC trophy are stuck in a time warp. Who cares? Thats ten years old anyway.
Its time UT allows the normal process of selecting a coach take place. Meaning, lets get someone from the outside with zero ties to UT and the trustees. Im tired of our trustees having a say so in the selection anyway. Who cares if some of them played football or that they give ridiculous amounts of money to the school. This should NOT have a bearing on who our football coach is. I point to the fact that when your coaches (save Cutcliffe) are not heavily recruited to head coach elsewhere, something is seriously wrong. Would Pete Carroll stand for his coaches not being hot commodities? No, he wouldnt and neither should UT. Your coaches value should be in direct comparison with the success of the program. When we were good, how many of our coaches left? Few, very few!
This reply may upset some of the faithful, but Ive been a UT fan since the Bill Battle days. I was 0-5 versus Alabama while in school. I was also in school when the Florida rivalry began with the 45-3 drubbing we gave them in 1990. I remember the days when UT took the field opposing teams (save Florida) worried. This isnt the case anymore and as long as Fulmer is there it wont be. Lets be honest. When UT fans start looking forward to basketball something is wrong and thats exactly where we are now!