From Chris Low at ESPN

[TVT]

End of an era at Tennessee:

Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton won't say it, and Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer doesn't want to talk about it. But the reality is that we're seeing the final chapter at Tennessee of a Hall of Fame coaching career by Fulmer. He's making it easy for Hamilton now. The Vols (3-6, 1-5 SEC) lost 27-6 to South Carolina on Saturday night in another dismal offensive showing.

It's not a matter of "if" with Fulmer now. It's a matter of "when." Having spent more than 30 years of his life at Tennessee as a player, assistant coach and head coach, he deserves for this thing to end in a classy manner. He also deserves to go out on his terms, but that's not going to happen now. The Vols are looking at their second losing season in the last four years, and no coach at Tennessee -- not even one who's won 150 games in his career -- would be able to survive that kind of swoon.

 

[Martoony54]

it's as if both are waiting on the other to do the deed. Will Fulmer get a buyout if he retires or is that only if he's fired? Maybe he's waiting to be fired so he can go hide in the mountains with 8 mil...

 

[TampaVol18]

There is just TOO much smoke at this point for there not be a bog ole' fire.

I just wish it would end, and that Tahj B is starting game 1 as a Freshman in 2009.

 

[VolByBirth]

it's as if both are waiting on the other to do the deed. Will Fulmer get a buyout if he retires or is that only if he's fired? Maybe he's waiting to be fired so he can go hide in the mountains with 8 mil...

This is very accurate. Hamilton knows that at the seasons end he will have to fire Fulmer if he doesn't retire on his own. He is anxiously hoping Fulmer retires -- but it appears those that called Fulmer hard-headed are fairly accurate.

The expectation was losing the SC game would have to drive home what CPF should do. I don't see him announcing his retirement at all if he hasn't already.

 

[NEW COACH]

Just don't bring Cutcliffe back

 

[EZE]

it's as if both are waiting on the other to do the deed. Will Fulmer get a buyout if he retires or is that only if he's fired? Maybe he's waiting to be fired so he can go hide in the mountains with 8 mil...

I think you are wrong on this. Fulmer is holding tight so he gets the buyout. If he flat out retires, he doesn't get the pot of gold.

What will happen is that they will get together behind the scenes and do a deal that allows Fulmer to receive the buyout (maybe at a reduceda mount and spread over time) and retire at the same time.