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I thought this was about as down the middle an analysis of Fulmer vs. Gallion that I've seen. And it came from my paper in Macon, GA?????
By Michael A. Lough
Telegraph Staff Writer
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Oh yeah, it's on.
Alabama and Tennessee?
It's on. On, on, on.
Heard one radio gang Thursday call it the Hatfields and the McCoys. Which means they're interchangable and, well, nevermind.
Three rings were expected at the final session of the Southeastern Conference's Media Days, what with Alabama's Mike Shula speaking, and Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer talking football as well.
To recap: The NCAA is being sued by two former Alabama coaches who claim Fulmer and the NCAA - by talking with Fulmer, among other college coaches, during an investigation - conspired to bring down the Alabama program.
Uh huh.
Fulmer's also being sued by former Alabama recruit and ex-Vol Kenny Smith for alleging in documents involved in the case that Smith's mother was having an affair with a then-Bama assistant.
And the American Football coaches Association and NCAA have filed a suit in Tennessee intent on shielding coaches from legal action for their part in investigations.
After Shula calmly and wisely answered The Question - "We've got enough things to be concerned about in Tuscaloosa" - and his players talked, it was showtime.
We listened to an angry, passionate Fulmer unload like you just don't hear major college coaches unload. It was when Fulmer took to the microphone - albeit from a safe and subpoena-free office in Knoxville via conference call - that one of the rings showed up.
Part of the ring? About 15 TV and newspaper cameras spent 10 minutes taking shots of, well, a speakerphone. It never moved or anything, and there wasn't a likeness of Fulmer, but film kept rolling.
Fulmer proceeded into an almost fascinating and mesmerizing statement that took swings - fairly deservedly - at a variety of targets.
It was hard to argue with: "These irresponsible people have alleged that there was a conspiracy between the Justice Department of the United States, the FBI, the NCAA, the University of Tennessee and me."
Alabamans, get over y'all selves. And be grateful these rules and enforcements weren't in place, oh, 30 years ago. Can somebody prescribe a paranoia medication for half a state? Ah, call Canada, it's cheaper up there.
Then again, why wouldn't the government be out to get the Crimson Tide? Not like there's anything else to do, and straightening out the Crimson would certainly make the world a better place.
Good grief.
One problem is that neither side is necessarily drowning in credibility in the world of public opinion. The phrase "Ah, Alabama is Alabama" will get you a knowing nod and slight smile from the rest of the league's compatriots. And Fulmer's reputation hasn't been blindingly bright since he took over for Johnny Majors.
Too, let's be honest. When the topic is smashing NCAA violations, does any major college program want to bring one hint of attention to itself? Not by a long shot.
And the conventional wisdom Thursday that abounds was simple wisdom: Show up, smile, pocket the subpeona, talk football, return to Knoxville and give the paper to the lawyers and let them continue to rack up billable hours. Suddenly, it becomes merely a story to follow up on rather than a reality/reality-free affair.
I hear Johnnie Cochran dialing.
The farce is now a front-page topic throughtout the college football world, and will remain there in some fashion only to strengthen on Oct. 23 when Alabama visits Tennessee. Funny: Alabama may make Fulmer more popular - and he desperately needs some juice - in Tennessee than if he won the East.
On Alabama talk-show host Paul Finebaum's Thursday afternoon entry, attorney Delaine Mountain - one of the lawyers involved - kept saying that the offer had been made for Fulmer and Co. to determine the time and place of a deposition, but that not a single day, ever, was convenient.
All they wanted to know, he said, was what Fulmer told the NCAA.
As for Fulmer's charge that all this was an attack at the NCAA enforcement process, the attorney said it would be a good thing for the process to change.
Conversely, colleges can leave the NCAA whenever they want, and when anarchy ensues, watch those TV bucks dry up.
Oh, this is one smelly mess indeed. Fulmer's despised throughout many factions of SEC fandom, and Tide Nation usually inspires giggles for its out-and-out obsession.
Throw major college football coaches and lawyers together and we're not talking the fragrance of a rose garden, especially in this only-to-get-worse mess. Those lips are moving. Who to believe?
For those of us watching from afar, Thursday was just pretty funny. Kind of like watching two drunk uncles thumb-wrestle and take it seriously. Sure, it's important to them but just remarkably absurd.
As much advice as there was for Fulmer to just come down and get it over with - those outside the media remain chock full of many other suggestions - suggestions didn't stop with the orange.
But telling Alabama to just let it go is like telling Courtney Love to just say no.
Ain't gonna happen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael A. Lough is Assistant Sports Editor of The Telegraph. Reach him at 744-4626 or by e-mail at mlough@macontel.com
By Michael A. Lough
Telegraph Staff Writer
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Oh yeah, it's on.
Alabama and Tennessee?
It's on. On, on, on.
Heard one radio gang Thursday call it the Hatfields and the McCoys. Which means they're interchangable and, well, nevermind.
Three rings were expected at the final session of the Southeastern Conference's Media Days, what with Alabama's Mike Shula speaking, and Tennessee coach Phil Fulmer talking football as well.
To recap: The NCAA is being sued by two former Alabama coaches who claim Fulmer and the NCAA - by talking with Fulmer, among other college coaches, during an investigation - conspired to bring down the Alabama program.
Uh huh.
Fulmer's also being sued by former Alabama recruit and ex-Vol Kenny Smith for alleging in documents involved in the case that Smith's mother was having an affair with a then-Bama assistant.
And the American Football coaches Association and NCAA have filed a suit in Tennessee intent on shielding coaches from legal action for their part in investigations.
After Shula calmly and wisely answered The Question - "We've got enough things to be concerned about in Tuscaloosa" - and his players talked, it was showtime.
We listened to an angry, passionate Fulmer unload like you just don't hear major college coaches unload. It was when Fulmer took to the microphone - albeit from a safe and subpoena-free office in Knoxville via conference call - that one of the rings showed up.
Part of the ring? About 15 TV and newspaper cameras spent 10 minutes taking shots of, well, a speakerphone. It never moved or anything, and there wasn't a likeness of Fulmer, but film kept rolling.
Fulmer proceeded into an almost fascinating and mesmerizing statement that took swings - fairly deservedly - at a variety of targets.
It was hard to argue with: "These irresponsible people have alleged that there was a conspiracy between the Justice Department of the United States, the FBI, the NCAA, the University of Tennessee and me."
Alabamans, get over y'all selves. And be grateful these rules and enforcements weren't in place, oh, 30 years ago. Can somebody prescribe a paranoia medication for half a state? Ah, call Canada, it's cheaper up there.
Then again, why wouldn't the government be out to get the Crimson Tide? Not like there's anything else to do, and straightening out the Crimson would certainly make the world a better place.
Good grief.
One problem is that neither side is necessarily drowning in credibility in the world of public opinion. The phrase "Ah, Alabama is Alabama" will get you a knowing nod and slight smile from the rest of the league's compatriots. And Fulmer's reputation hasn't been blindingly bright since he took over for Johnny Majors.
Too, let's be honest. When the topic is smashing NCAA violations, does any major college program want to bring one hint of attention to itself? Not by a long shot.
And the conventional wisdom Thursday that abounds was simple wisdom: Show up, smile, pocket the subpeona, talk football, return to Knoxville and give the paper to the lawyers and let them continue to rack up billable hours. Suddenly, it becomes merely a story to follow up on rather than a reality/reality-free affair.
I hear Johnnie Cochran dialing.
The farce is now a front-page topic throughtout the college football world, and will remain there in some fashion only to strengthen on Oct. 23 when Alabama visits Tennessee. Funny: Alabama may make Fulmer more popular - and he desperately needs some juice - in Tennessee than if he won the East.
On Alabama talk-show host Paul Finebaum's Thursday afternoon entry, attorney Delaine Mountain - one of the lawyers involved - kept saying that the offer had been made for Fulmer and Co. to determine the time and place of a deposition, but that not a single day, ever, was convenient.
All they wanted to know, he said, was what Fulmer told the NCAA.
As for Fulmer's charge that all this was an attack at the NCAA enforcement process, the attorney said it would be a good thing for the process to change.
Conversely, colleges can leave the NCAA whenever they want, and when anarchy ensues, watch those TV bucks dry up.
Oh, this is one smelly mess indeed. Fulmer's despised throughout many factions of SEC fandom, and Tide Nation usually inspires giggles for its out-and-out obsession.
Throw major college football coaches and lawyers together and we're not talking the fragrance of a rose garden, especially in this only-to-get-worse mess. Those lips are moving. Who to believe?
For those of us watching from afar, Thursday was just pretty funny. Kind of like watching two drunk uncles thumb-wrestle and take it seriously. Sure, it's important to them but just remarkably absurd.
As much advice as there was for Fulmer to just come down and get it over with - those outside the media remain chock full of many other suggestions - suggestions didn't stop with the orange.
But telling Alabama to just let it go is like telling Courtney Love to just say no.
Ain't gonna happen.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael A. Lough is Assistant Sports Editor of The Telegraph. Reach him at 744-4626 or by e-mail at mlough@macontel.com
