Fulmer on the front page of ESPN.com

[Heebs]

Article by Chris Low.

ESPN - Low: Fulmer feels the Knoxville heat - College Football

Not bad, but I don't like it the day before Arkansas. Bad pub.

 

[jakez4ut]

that was a very good article..........thanks for the link.

several things stick out to me........i'll get to that later.

 

[VolfanMike]

Very good read...

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

David Douglas, a former offensive lineman at Tennessee who also played six seasons in the NFL, scoffs at such talk.

"I'm a fan, too, and get frustrated like anybody else," said Douglas, whose son, Aaron, is one of the top prospects in the state and has already committed to play for the Vols. "But I hear people say, 'I'm a graduate and I'm a fan, but I want them to lose because I want to get rid of Coach Fulmer.'

"I'm sorry, I can't accept that. I don't agree with that. If that's the case, then no … you're not a fan."

That sentiment is real and more widespread than most want to admit. When fans begin to question if a win or a loss is best for the program, you can't bring it back to normal without a change.

 

[VolfanMike]

That sentiment is real and more widespread than most want to admit. When fans begin to question if a win or a loss is best for the program, you can't bring it back to normal without a change.

I cant vouch for anyone else's opinion on that. But I know that I will NEVER wish for the Vols to lose in hopes that it will spark a coaching change.

And, lets face it....If the majority of TN fans want CPF out which I think they do, the quickest exit for him is to go out on a high note and retire. Losing games will only spark him to stay around to and wait to finish at the top....Just MO

 

[vol_in_ar]

Thank you

Great read...

 

[Rasputin_Vol]

I cant vouch for anyone else's opinion on that. But I know that I will NEVER wish for the Vols to lose in hopes that it will spark a coaching change.

And, lets face it....If the majority of TN fans want CPF out which I think they do, the quickest exit for him is to go out on a high note and retire. Losing games will only spark him to stay around to and wait to finish at the top....Just MO

At this point, I hope Fulmer can win the SEC and the bowl game and then step down gracefully. Then I hope that Mike Hamilton looks outside of the Vol family to select our next coach.

 

[General Jack]

Interesting comments from Haslem... "wait until after the season and evaluate" sounded like the stock language given by ADs when they're going to make a change.

 

[VolfanMike]

At this point, I hope Fulmer can win the SEC and the bowl game and then step down gracefully. Then I hope that Mike Hamilton looks outside of the Vol family to select our next coach.

Thats what I am hoping for as well....I think that is the only way he leaves....(If its on his own terms)

With that said: I hope MH takes a LONG look at Will Muschamp.

 

[justingroves]

That sentiment is real and more widespread than most want to admit. When fans begin to question if a win or a loss is best for the program, you can't bring it back to normal without a change.

Just win baby

 

[jakez4ut]

Other players have opted to take a more middle-of-the-road stance.

Bubba Miller, another of Fulmer's offensive line pupils, admits that watching the Vols the past few years has been difficult. In many ways, he thinks they've become stale.

But that doesn't mean he advocates a coaching change. "I don't feel like the program is beyond salvaging, and I don't necessarily think getting a new coach will fix everything," said Miller, an All-SEC performer in 1995 and seven-year NFL veteran. "I do feel like an influx of fresh ideas in any organization is not always a bad thing. You see it in business every day, and I don't think an athletic department, particularly football at this level, is any different than a business.





"I don't agree with those who say we've hit rock bottom. We're in the driver's seat in the Eastern Division, and that says a lot about the resiliency of the players and coaches. The way we lost to Florida and Alabama probably makes it look a lot worse than it is. I just think that an infusion of fresh ideas is necessary to keep any business running at the top."

i want to agree with him, but i don't see how we can do this, w/CPF at the helm. He had a chance to do that two years ago, and brought back CDC.

Tennessee's most influential booster, Pilot Corp. founder and CEO Jim Haslam, has struggled through the lows of this season like any other fan. His advice is to keep an open mind.

"It's not fair to anybody to talk about what may or may not happen until after the season," said Haslam, who played under Gen. Robert Neyland and has donated millions of dollars to the university. "We're playing for a chance to go to the SEC championship game. Let's play the season out and see where we end up, and then we can take a very critical look at the program."

is it me or does this sound like someone that's on the verge of saying "it's time"?

He's heard from disgruntled Tennessee fans, particularly in the aftermath of the Florida and Alabama losses, but says it's embellishing the situation to suggest that he's been inundated with mail pushing for Fulmer's ouster. "There were a large number of people I got mail from who talked about how much they loved and respected Coach Fulmer, but expressed their disappointment in those particular games," Hamilton said. "The last five years haven't been as good, and that's a fact. But the reality also is that Phillip's doing it the right way, representing Tennessee the right way and is a native son.
"Familiarity breeds contempt sometimes, and with the new coaches around the league, it's natural that people would ask some of the questions they're asking about Phillip.

I say again, this is a decision that MH does NOT want to have to make. there is no one, save maybe CPF himself, rooting for him like MH is. and that's not a bad thing, IF we can get it done. If not, then that's where we're going to find out a lot about MH i think.

For the second time in three years, Fulmer is likely to make staff changes at season's end....

Given the Vols' problems on defense, Fulmer will almost certainly address that side of the ball following this season. They've been decimated in the secondary by injuries, dismissals and other casualties and have lost five starters in the last two seasons. The defensive front has lacked the impact players the Vols were known for during their glory years, and it's all added up to being ranked 11th in the SEC in both scoring defense and total defense

Slade, caldwell.........anyone really think Chavis is going to get the axe?

Fulmer contends that the Vols have a chance to be even better next season and thinks this freshman class is one of the best he's signed. Defensive backs Eric Berry, Dennis Rogan and Brent Vinson have all shown flashes, while tailback Lennon Creer and receiver Gerald Jones are starting to get more chances offensively.

The strength of Tennessee's team this season has been its offensive line, and all five starters return next season

i think giving more credance to the fact that CPF is back next year regardless and probably hangs it up after the 08 season.......they've clearly set an expectation based on this, whether that's a discussion they've had or not, i don't know, but it seems 08 is earmarked for a good season.

Fulmer took some heat earlier this year for saying the Vols would stay the course after the crushing defeat to Florida. He says that's not being stubborn as much as it is sticking to your guns.

"Staying the course means you stay determined," Fulmer said. "You have a process you believe in and tweak it every way that you can.

"But you don't panic."

to me, it's a very fine line.......doing the same things over and over again, expecting better results each time is the oldest form of insanity.

"A team reflects its coach, and this team has a whole lot of heart," Foster said. "We feel privileged to be in this position. Florida helped us out twice by losing.

"We feel like it's time to quit waiting on other people and take control of what we can control."

i certainly hope that's the case.

good article, once again.

 

[Chilmonty]

I also would never, ever root for the Vols to lose!

GO VOLS! WIN OUT!!:rock::rock:

With that said, a change is probably a forgone conclusion at this point.

Can't help but imagine what a Bruce Pearl type change would do to the football program!!

 

[Vol423]

Front page of ESPN

Headline: Had Their Phil?

This is a move in the right direction. I hope ESPN pushes this as hard as they push their pick for the Heisman each year.

 

[VolfanMike]

Front page of ESPN

Headline: Had Their Phil?

This is a move in the right direction. I hope ESPN pushes this as hard as they push their pick for the Heisman each year.

Welcome back Vol423...What happend to your prediction of the SC game....Let me guess you will either dissapear if we win again this weekend or you will post ALOT if we lose...Either way good to see you again..

 

[TennTradition]

I've gotten 8 emails in the last hour telling me to check out ESPN from friends here in grad school ...I'm glad to see they're getting as much accomplished on the Friday afternoon as I am

 

[lawgator1]

The article seems pretty accurate to me. Winning the SECE would almost surely, IMO, save his job. I jokingly took a position on that earlier today on here, but in reality I realize that there are two very passionate camps on that issue with the Vols faithful. Really, no one other than Vols fans are in a position to take one side or the other.

I kind of feel bad for you Volsfans because I realize that, this year aside, this is a tough decision and takes a lot of soul searching and that even those who want to make a change are struggling with it. Too bad. If he leaves, I hope its on a high note.

 

[KCVolLaw]

I'm pretty pissed about this...just the part about Vols fans hoping we lose. I know there are some fans out there like that but it's a very very small percentage.

 

[rbroyles]

I think the general concensus of those wanting a change is "not another Majors debacle". CPF has repesented UT well, recruited well, its just that it seems they now take these highly rated recruits and turn them into average players. BUT MOST OF US WOULD NEVER PULL AGAINST UT. That is absurd, look at Ark, so called fans posting go Vols Fire NUTT. Is just not being a true fan to want your team to lose to fulfill your desire.

 

[Plano Vol]

I'm pretty pissed about this...just the part about Vols fans hoping we lose. I know there are some fans out there like that but it's a very very small percentage.

I'm with you...I'd pull for the Vols if the Bear was coaching them.

I would like for CPF to win out and considering retiring on the high note......I would feel a whole bunch better if we had an heir apparent.

 

[BCSsucks]

".....lacked the impact players the Vols were known for during their glory years"

Glory years? geez, its sounds like we are the University of Alabama :mega_shok:

 

[KCVolLaw]

I'm with you...I'd pull for the Vols if the Bear was coaching them.

I would like for CPF to win out and considering retiring on the high note......I would feel a whole bunch better if we had an heir apparent.

hey now that's just crazy talk

 

[KCVolLaw]

I think the general concensus of those wanting a change is "not another Majors debacle". CPF has repesented UT well, recruited well, its just that it seems they now take these highly rated recruits and turn them into average players. BUT MOST OF US WOULD NEVER PULL AGAINST UT. That is absurd, look at Ark, so called fans posting go Vols Fire NUTT. Is just not being a true fan to want your team to lose to fulfill your desire.

good post

 

[Fine Vol]

If he does leave soon I will invite in a new coach with open arms but I will truly be sad because he has been our coach for a long time!

 

[volwindy]

Did you see what one of the posters on that article stated:

UTvol218 (7 hours ago)

Getting rid of Fulmer would be a disaster. Changes need to be made, but not at the top. If someone could name one guy to replace Fulmer, lets hear it...


Well there is one of your pro fulmer people.

 

[VolfanMike]

If he does leave soon I will invite in a new coach with open arms but I will truly be sad because he has been our coach for a long time!

I agree...I would welcome a change, but it would be a little sad to see CPF go to me anyway. I have watched that man for a long time and I dont think there is anyone that loves the University more than him. Be wierd seeing someone else on the sidelines...to me anyway.